Do I need a new central a/c system?

I live in a 1,024 sq ft condo with a 12 yr old split central a/c system. Recently a bad burning smell came thro' the vents with the a/c on. After searching in vain for a dead animal in the attic (at my suggestion), a technician told me it was a freon leak and that, considering the age of the system and cost of replacing coils, etc., I should probably replace the system. Does this sound right?

Do I need a new central a/c system?
Get a second opinion. I have gone behind many technicians that hardly looked at what the problem was and told the customer they needed a new unit, just because it was old. In most cases, it was an easy fix.





Freon can burn but it doesn't smell like smoke. It is very acidic and has an odor completely unlike smoke. The only part that could cause smoke odors from your vents is the evaporator fan motor.





Get a second opinion.
Reply:turn the outside condenser off at the breaker turn your thermostat down so the blower will start .you probably will smell the same thing .to me it sounds like either a belt or the blower is bad .if the system still cools then you know its not a freon leak
Reply:a refrigerant line can be repaired,a burning smell means fire!!! See if the blower motor locked up.
Reply:A freon leak won't smell like burning. Your blower motor is probably the culprit. They are fairly cheap and easy to replace. If the system has been taken care of, 12 years is not that old for an AC unit. Call another service company to come give you a second opinion.