Heat Siphon issue looking for opinions

[lungs414]

So I opened the pool this last weekend. Everything was going ok, if ok means the only thing that went well was the new cover worked awesome. The pool was the cleanest ever in 17 years after uncovering it.
Started everything up and had a large leak from inside the heat siphon. Good thing when I installed it I used isolation valves.
I found out the heat exchanger pic tube cracked, I definitely did not have water in it over the winter , I disconnected it at the unions and blew it out for sure.
Here's my question ? I called heat siphon and was told if I can remove the heat exchanger I can send it to them for repair , at a cost of around $500, plus shipping which would be around $125 each way. My friend is an HVAC master and we disconnected it from the unit, basically had to take it apart. Just looking for opinions if anyone thinks it is worth it. Brand new unit of any brand is $4000 plus. Money wise it seems to make sense but it is about 12 plus years old. The only issue I ever had with it was about 2 seasons ago it turned out to be bad contactors which my friend changed for me.
So what do you think?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Oh and has anyone ever done this, especially with heat siphon.

 

[ajw22]

The HP would have cost you about $400 per year if you replace it now.

If a $800 repair lasts two years you are even. More years and you are ahead.

I would repair it if the rest of the HP looks in good condition.

What does the HVAC Master say about your HP condition?

 

[lungs414]

The HP would have cost you about $400 per year if you replace it now.

If a $800 repair lasts two years you are even. More years and you are ahead.

I would repair it if the rest of the HP looks in good condition.

What does the HVAC Master say about your HP condition?

Thats the thing. He doesn't work on them usually. But has been in HVAC for 40 years. I needed him to recapture the 410a, so it could be dismantled. He said there really is no way to predict what else could happen. If the compressor dies, he could change that, but again a big expense. I am definitely leaning toward sending it in but after I wrote this I looked into shipping. The exchanger is huge at 32 x16 x 16 and very heavy , one 50 lbs. The place is over 300 miles from me so hand delivery is not an option. All in all it's got to be around $800 total with shipping, and I have to find or make a box to ship it. I am going to look into the shipping issues today.
Thanks for the reply.