Carrier Central Air Leak

[Meusoc]

Hello All,

We have a 17 SEER Carrier Central A/C that is 3+ years old. Recently it has been blowing with little or no cold air. We had a HVAC repairman out today who said it appears to be a leak of refrigerant and wrote the following down concerning it; "3+ year old Carrier A/C with very low refrigerant. Recommend a Nitrogen Leak test to try and find leak. Repair cost will be determined after leak is found"

The cost just to the find the leak was quoted at $1536.52.

Does this amount seem appropriate for this test was he would conduct to find the leak? And is there any other way to alternatives?

Thanks is advance.....

[akaothermick]

Yes, "snoop" it, which is just detergent and water, the leak will show up as bubbles, get a service guy that owns a refrigerant detector that sniffs out the leak electronically, or go to HF and buy a cheapie, about $65, the nitrogen is inert so the leak can be brazed up without forming oxides in the pipe, bad for the compressor and other stuff, Check high traffic areas first, the condenser for damage and corrosion in the lower coils, the price sounds like a total find and fix and recharge, it would be overpriced for a just find the leak,