I had a reputable company in on June 27th to do an A/C tuneup. They cleaned it up (got the dust off the outside), did some checks and recommended that the coolant be filled - that it was at about 40%. I did that and they charged me about $350.

Today, four days later, the fan is not working.

They came out today, I explained what was done and they said that the fan motor is broken and will need to be replaced - about $325.

I am concerned with the coincidence that the unit has been running fine for 7 years and now in 4 days has cost me $700.

Any experts out there that can give me their opinion?

Mary

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pantera12,

The reason for the replacement of the motor being so high ($325) is because the HVAC company you deal with is making a real fat profit on that motor. They might buy it for $100, and sell it to you for $250. Then, when you add an hour's labour to swap out the motor, the bill comes to $325.

I would phone a smaller HVAC company that just has a phone number listing in the yellow pages rather than a full page ad. Tell him you're wanting to get him to take the old motor out and put it back in after you have it repaired at a motor rewinding shop.

Look under "Electric Motors - Sales & Service" in your yellow pages phone directory and phone around to see who repairs fractional horsepower motors in your area. Tell them you have a motor from a central AC unit that you want repaired and ask if they repair those kinds of motors. Tell him the brand of central AC unit you have if you know. Take your old motor to them to see what they have to say about it. Typically, the cost of rebuilding an electric motor is only a fraction of the cost of a new motor, and my experience has been that a rebuilt electric motor is just as good as a new one.

Also, if the motor stopped working because it was damaged in some way by the previous HVAC company, they'll tell you that.

That'd be the way I'd go to get the most bang for your buck, leaving out the possibility of you taking the old motor out and putting it back in yourself.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nestor,

a/c maintenance should include oiling the motor. worst case every other year.

there are not many rewinding shops any more, alas. reason being it is going to cost you about what the wholesale cost of the motor is, just for the new copper wire they put on and the insulation.

if it is a nasty evil heat wave and you have health issues and need a quick fix, take the fan off the motor shaft and set it underneath the motor (you have to pull the service disconnect before you put hands inside the outer unit, folks, or you won't have hands for the next step.) balance the biggest box fan you have on top so it blows up, and crank it to full. now put the disconnect block back in and keep calling.

if you have anybody with a sales tax permit in your circle of friends, check the motor specs and measure the dimensions, and have them order or pick up a replacement motor with the same specs at Grainger. they won't deal with anybody who is not a business, aka no sales tax permit. but you'll get the wholesale price, and can then put the fan in yourself. don't forget to replace the capacitor on the motor if there is one.