My '96 Pace Arrow has the original Atwood LP furnace. Because of LP prices we only use for back up at night to keep pipes from freezing. We use electric ceramic heaters for heat during the day if needed. It has developed a loud squeal when the fan starts before the burner has ignited. After it runs 5-10 seconds it goes away. If it runs often enough it doesn't do it always or as bad upon subsequent firings. The owner's manual says the bearings are sealed and lifetime. Is there a way to access a place to try to lube them. After looking at the furnace from the outside removing the furnace would be difficult at best due to it being riveted in place. On the inside you can only see the manifold for the ductwork so that is of no help.THANKS!

sealed bearings means you have to replace the motor. I have read that some have tried to lube the bearings but it is just a temp fix.

yep fan bearings ,some times a shot of lube helps ,but it needs replaced. and you just know it,ll fail when you really need it. theres away in there to replace it just gotta figure it out.

I had the same problem and rationalized that squeal was due to the fact that the furnace rarely ever got used. I turned off the propane, set the temp on high and turned on the heat ... let the fan run for about an hour. That was about 4 years ago and haven't heard a squeal since. Worth a shot.

When mine did it I found that the squirrel cage fan on one end was hitting the housing.What I did and you might try it. There is a hole in the squirrel cage that lets you get to an allen screw that holds the fan on to the shaft. Loosen this screw then push the other squirrel fan towards the motor at the same time push the loosened fan towards the motor and tighten the allen screw. On mine the problem was fixed total cost $0.00.

Atwood Furnace Squeals | Good Sam Community

j-d
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2014
If it's a model Chris says you can get apart fairly easily, lube it with one of these

The little red cap is over the end of the Zoom Spout that pulls out several inches.

Oiling it will PROBABLY work. In the case of the blower motor in our Coleman rooftop A/C, it did NOT. Even after I dismantled the whole motor, cleaned and crocus clothed the bearing sleeves, it'd run awhile and sticky goop would ooze out, locking the shaft. Still, I've done dozens of motors this way and the Coleman was the first that didn't work.
John___Angela
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
Although we tend to do most of our maintenance I had injured my back right about the time one of ours started to squeal (when it was cold) Total cost to repair including the parts was around 170 bucks. That was on a atwood 8500.
mchero
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
Motors for those furnaces run around $100. I'd pull the unit & replace the motor. Trying to lube the bushings is hit & miss. Works for some, not for others.

Keep us posted
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2014
If you would give the model number of the furnace, I could tell you how hard it is to get to the motor- a DC82 series the furnace must be pulled and disassembled- a couple of hours- if it is an 8500 or 8900 series, the motor takes about 20 minutes to replace, no removal, no disconnecting LP lines.
Running it with squealing bearings will wear the shaft on the blower, destroying the motor. It is possible to drill a couple of small holes in the end bells of the motor to saturate the felt "lifetime" reservoir.
wolfe10
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
You can either use an oiler with long spout or even use a standard, long screwdriver to get the oil to the proper area.
Vacationer04
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
The problem to lube it is getting into the right area. It has two squirrel cages and appears that the only to access them would be to remove the furnace unit from the coach. That would require disconnecting the LP line which is barely visible and impossible to reach from outside. I would probably have to remove my range to get to it. That tells me the rare occasions that it squeals are not that bad for now.
THANKS for all of the advice. I had hoped someone knew a trick but the tips I am getting are what I can see.
wolfe10
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014
The fan motor has NO BEARINGS-- just bushings.

In many cases, you can use a light, non-detergent oil such as sewing machine oil to re-lube the bushings. Put it on either end shaft next to the bushings, and let it wick in. Add a little more, spin, it, etc.
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2014
When mine did it I found that the squirrel cage fan on one end was hitting the housing.What I did and you might try it. There is a hole in the squirrel cage that lets you get to an allen screw that holds the fan on to the shaft. Loosen this screw then push the other squirrel fan towards the motor at the same time push the loosened fan towards the motor and tighten the allen screw. On mine the problem was fixed total cost $0.00.
ksg5000
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014
I had the same problem and rationalized that squeal was due to the fact that the furnace rarely ever got used. I turned off the propane, set the temp on high and turned on the heat ... let the fan run for about an hour. That was about 4 years ago and haven't heard a squeal since. Worth a shot.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2014
What model do you have?

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