A waste of money to repair a 27 yr old AC system.

The idea of adding freon to a system with an obvious leak without an attempt to locate leak is so unprofessional and is known in the trade as a "gas n go" repair.

Go ahead and replace both condenser and evap coil.

Just adding freon might get you through the summer but I would not do it.

Sorry. Probably not what you want to hear.

IMO

Tiger, thanks. I'm open to the truth, painful as it is. :) Tech already added freon and said at the time it would be futile to try to repair the leak. He did not locate the leak. We know this thing is ancient. Just wondered if we had a couple of months to stockpile some cash, or what. He said his company would refund us the price of the freon as well as the capacitor he replaced in the fan motor (husband had replaced it and I guess with the wrong capacitor which the motor sales guy sold him...) IF we purchased a new unit from them within 1 mo. So we'd be out the diagnostic fee of $85.

Get several quotes.

How do you heat?

Straight AC system with air handler and small heat strip?

IMO

Tiger, we have straight AC system with air handler and small heat strip. I don't think we've used the heat once since we've been here...