The fan shroud is likely what you're talking about. Came loose from the screws holding it to the top of the outside condensing unit. (Ah the price of moving manufacturing to Mexico.)

When the fan shroud came loose it likely got caught up in the moving fan blade of the fan motor and likely at some point stopped the fan motor.

When the fan motor stops and the compressor is running and there are no pressure switches the compressor will scream to high heaven's "Somebody Please Help Me"

Just when the compressor thinks all hope is lost... the OL kicks out. (Over Load)

When the OL kicks out, this shuts off the compressor. You can bet your golden griddle cakes he's gonna be hot.

So hot, the AC repair man probably spent a good amount of time cooling it down so he could restart it.

PS: the over load is there to protect the compressor. That is his job and only job.

I agree with Austin air. Odds are the unit will be fine now but just in case,she needs to plan on going somewhere if it go's down again. I reccomend you help her establish a safty net now regardless of how this go's. She need's people she can depend on to be there within an hour if needed. If she's eligable,a veteran's affair repersenative can help organize assistance from several sources. This is what churches are for,wherther she's a member or not,local churches stand ready to help,call one of them.

Thanks so much for your replies. Austin Air, thanks for explaining what happened in plain English. Klem1, thanks for your input, too. I was trying to persuade Mom to go to a hotel if it couldn't be fixed right away, which I would pay for, but she didn't want to do that. I'll talk to her about it again in case it breaks down a second time. I have no faith in it now! At her age high heat could be a killer and I don't want her to wait until she is actually feeling the effects.

Why don't you call the repairman directly and have him explain in layman's terms what happened. To have so much at stake you are guessing at what happened. If the shroud stopped the fan as Austin talked about,you shouldn't be overly concurned. Your mom need's that support group in place before something else happens.

"Should she ask for a brand new unit since this one broke after only a few days?"

The problem was caused by a manufacturing defect. I suggest you ask in writing the condenser be replaced. It is highly unlikely Lennox will replace it, but you want to start a document trail in case more problems surface in the future. If they do then you will ask for the replacement again and refer to your first request.

Thanks so much for the good advice everyone. Mike_home, I will pass along your great suggestion. She is also planning to call Costco since they sold it to her

You could always get her a small portable unit to keep in a bedroom just in case. Due to our possibility of hurricanes down here I learned to always have a small backup unit that can be powered by a generator, it has kept me from being miserable several times.

Thank you for your suggestion, that's another alternative.