furnace start-up noises

Question

Started getting a faint squeal for a few seconds when the fan started. It progressed to a loud one over time, lating 10 or 15 seconds, but always went away and the furnace worked. I suspected the fan was rubbing a little on the housing but now think it is the motor. Some oil on the motor bearing in the one area accessible seems to have helped, as it slowly went away. This occurred late in my summer trip and RV is in storage.
Has anyone else experienced this and did it lead to replacing the fan and motor assembly? It is a 15 year old Atwood 8500. Thanks, bill

darsben · Answer

voodoo101 wrote:Started getting a faint squeal for a few seconds when the fan started.  It progressed to a loud one over time, lating 10 or 15 seconds, but always went away and the furnace worked.  I suspected the fan was rubbing a little on the housing but now think it is the motor.  Some oil on the motor bearing in the one area accessible seems to have helped, as it slowly went away.  This occurred late in my summer trip and RV is in storage.Has anyone else experienced this and did it lead to replacing the fan and motor assembly?  It is a 15 year old Atwood 8500.  Thanks, billExactly what happened to me. I oiled but finally replaced as the squeal came back when it got cold out.. I used an aftermarket sold on EBAY for about 1/3 the factory brand. Bad decision as it causes interference on my TV when I am on 12 volt to the TV.The one I bought washttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Atwood-Hydro-Flame-Gas-Furnace-Heater-Replacement-Motor-PF23144Q-33589-RV-Camper-/231692523265?hash=item35f1f35701&amp;vxp=mtr

romore · Answer

It is normal on startup after a long layoff but if it persists when running you are likely looking at a new motor

path1 · Answer

I had one that the "squirrel cage" looking thing broke at one end and made a lot of racket.

jwmii · Answer

The motor bearings (bushings) are worn. This will only get worse. You can prolong your use of the motor by working a little oil into the bearings. The time and effort to repeatedly oil isn't worth it. Replace the motor. These style motors were originally made so they could be disassembled and cleaned up and new bearings installed. Now they are made so they are not convenient to get apart and of course parts are not available for replacement thus forcing the customer to purchase new. Go for the new one.

voodoo101 · Answer

Thanks folks.  I will be calling around to price my options on a new motor.  Thought that was probably going to happen but wanted to tap the knowledge base on this great forum first.

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furnace start-up noises

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