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Noisy furnace motor

KATOOM
Explorer
Explorer
Haven't owned my trailer during the winter. So I turned on my furnace for the first time ever and the motor has a light whizzing/squealing noise to it. Not completely constant as in one pitch but it is a constant noise. I cant tell if its a bearing noise from lack of usage or that the squirrel cage is barely touching something or its just normal. Are those furnace motors hard to remove or mess with? I overheard someone telling someone else that its not worth dealing with them and just to replace the entire unit. Obviously not the choice I'd choose unless there was no other option.
18 REPLIES 18

wolfe10
Explorer
Explorer
The motor has BUSHINGS, not bearings. And, yes you can oil them. Use a light viscosity non-detergent oil such as sowing machine oil.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240

Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/

John_M_M
Explorer
Explorer
We have a Atwood Hydro Flame furnace model 8535-IV and it howels when we try to run it. Can it be oiled or does it have sealed barrings.
Can you easily replace just the motor and where can you buy one.

lonekazoo
Explorer
Explorer
After a trip over rough roads two years ago (which is basically any road in Utah) my Suburban furnace started making a hideous grinding noise. I pulled the whole unit out and found where the squirrel cage fan was rubbing on the housing. I used a zip tie to secure it down, which lasted a few months. I ended up taking it out again and sinking a bolt through the housing to pull it away from the fan. No trouble since, it's much quieter than ever, and I feel like a certified HVAC repairman.
2005 KZ Frontier 2809PQS-F
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 SLT/4x4/8.1L/3.73/Autoride

C_Schomer
Explorer
Explorer
My old Dometic has oilite bronze. It was easy to take apart and clean and oil them. Craig
2012 Dodge 3500 DRW CCLB 4wd, custom hauler bed.
2008 Sunnybrook Titan 30 RKFS Morryde and Disc brakes
WILL ROGERS NEVER MET JOE BIDEN!

sum1
Explorer
Explorer
powderman426 wrote:
sum1 wrote:
Yours may be different, but I have gotten YEARS of extended and quiet life out of squealing fan motors by getting a couple of drops of oil into the bearings. Get creative to reach the bearings: sewing machine oil dispenser, Q-tip taped to a length of wire, a piece of broom straw dipped into the oil, a twig with just the right curves, ...


Because the bearings are sealed, that wont work unless you get the motor out and drill small oil holes into them. For that much trouble, you might just as well replace the motor. JMO
This has not been my experience.

KATOOM
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks guys.

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
Suburban Furnace Manual

Covers various models including yours.....SF35
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

T18skyguy
Explorer
Explorer
Those blower's are darn noisy even when they work right. Mine sounds like a jet engine. That's why I use electric plug in unit. I wouldn't sleep a minute with that thing going.
Retired Anesthetist. LTP. Pilot with mechanic/inspection ratings. Between rigs right now.. Wife and daughter. Four cats which we must obey.

jetcare
Explorer
Explorer
The top hole is for the combustion air intake and the bottom hole is for the exhaust.
2016 F-250 Crewcab 6.2L 4x4
2012 Palomino Sabre 32' Travel Trailer

KATOOM
Explorer
Explorer
So far its not helping. Its a Suburban SF35F. Is there downloadable manuals online? Also, there is only heat coming out of the bottom outside vent. Is that normal? Whats the top vent hole for? Sorry for sounding so ignorant but this is "my" first "nice" trailer where my others were old and I could relate (or more easily work on).

KATOOM
Explorer
Explorer
Letting it run for awhile sounds worthy of trying. I'll see if that helps.

WDP
Explorer
Explorer
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Really depends on Mfg. and model.


Motor bearings are sealed..so oiling them won't help.

Year/Brand/Model info would be helpful.


The blower motors have oil soaked bushings, not sealed bearings, easily and effectively oiled. As mentioned, either sewing machine oil or 20W non detergent motor oil will fit the bill.

WDP

ksg5000
Explorer
Explorer
I hadn't used my heater in a couple years and when I finally turned it on during one of my "inspections" it squealed. I turned the propane off and let the fan run for an hour and it hasn't squealed again - might work in your case and didn't cost a dime.
Kevin

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
I hope you are not confusing the loud noise the blower usually makes with a possible bad bearing noise.

My furnace blower sound like it sounds when you are sitting in the back roll of seats on a MD80 Jet Plane... a real loud GRRRRRRRRR type noise.

The loud noise coupled with the 6-8AMPS the blower motor draws sure does keep me from using the gas furnace very much.

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

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