[cementhead]

Friend of mine was moving, had no room for this monster ac unit. Sold it to me for $200.
Tray full of water, I say, "we'll just drill a hole into the tray and let it drain before taking it out, so we don't dump water all over the carpet".

Bam! Drilled right into the bottom most tube on the condenser unit.
Bonehead.

So I look online here, and see I can buy a replacement condenser for $124, and that's great. But it has to be installed by a certified tech doesn't it?

I mean there's no fitting to even recharge it myself and I think you have to be certified to even purchase R22, right?

So before I buy it, I'm wondering if a shop will even install parts I supply or will they most likely insist I buy thru them?

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Save your money and buy another unit. Most techs charge a lot like $200 to do this. Unit is probably not worth $300.Be aware, if the hole is just a small one and accessable, you can seal it with an epoxy sold for evaporator repair

[aapplegate]

My father did exactly what you did around 1965. His friend was an HVAC guy, who came over and soldered the damage and refilled the freon (which I suppose is R22 now). This AC still works today, although I stopped using it because the new models are more efficient.

So, if you know a HVAC guy and can use a soldering iron . . .

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Yes if the line is copper, you can silver solder it, but the system must be vacummed and checked for leaks and re-filled with freon. Still not a real cheap fix,but doable. The key is if the area is completely accessable.

[livewood]

repair tech parts cost about 20 dollars. may charge you more. solder on valve
only please as clamp-ons are nuisance leakers. should be able to take off case
unscrew condenser lift away from pan enough to silver solder over hole. do not try epoxy here temp and pressure sure to be problem. should be under hundred dollar fix no real big variables only use some one willing to give estimate here. you can patch the drain pan yourself bondo or sealsall .