Forum Discussion

badbowtie's avatar
badbowtie
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015

furnace squealing

I have a older 2000 forest rivers cherokee 37k Camper and of course it is on my camp spot so I cant walk out to check it. But last weekend we went up and cleaned up for the season and fired up the furnace and it squealed really loud for about 1-2 minutes then quite and worked fine. We ended up shutting it off and turned it back on about 6 hours later and same thing. I assume I need to try to oil motor bearing or replace motor I was going to try to make sure I have everything I need to oil it this weekend to use it and try to get some motor numbers off it. Is there any clue what furnace I have with make and year to try to locate a manual. From the best I have looked around and the best I can remember two years ago when I had it out I am pretty sure it is a suburban furnace. I guess If I am pulling it I should replace both the height temperature limit switch and the sail switch along with blower motor.
  • RooDude09's avatar
    RooDude09
    Explorer
    Apr 25, 2015
    I had the same problem on our 2010 Keystone hideout. On startup and cool down it would start a screeching noise the furnace was tucked in behind some louvers just under our kitchen counter. One time i was able to sick my fingers through the louvers and press on the cover and the noise went away. Weve since sold the trailer and I didn't get to explore much more into the issue but just seems to be the same noise you are having and it seemed to do with the cover and vibrations on start up and shut down
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Apr 25, 2015
    LVJJJ wrote:
    We have a similar problem with the furnace in our "new" 2004 Tahoe Lite. Took it out for our first camping trip, everything worked, includeing the Suburban furnace, but the fan is loud and sometimes rattles like crazy. It's not a squeak.

    I assume there is something loose inside so I'm going to take the whole unit out to check it. (Just not sure if I'll screw up the propane system when I turn off the propane and disconnect the gas line, can I just reconnect it and turn the propane back on and be ok)?

    I think I also need to remount it on a rubber pad.

    I've had other TT's with Suburban furnaces and they have been nice and quiet running. This one ain't quiet. Does this sound typical for a 2004 furnace?


    No problem with the propane. After shutting it off light the stove and let it run until all the propane has been used out of the system. After reinstalling the furnace turn on the gas and light the stove until you get a nice flame. It may take a minute or so. Even then your furnace may take a couple of tries to light until you get all the air out of the system.

    I don't know about mounting it on rubber. That may be OK but, remember the furnace gets hot and you don't want the rubber to get smoking.
  • LVJJJ's avatar
    LVJJJ
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2015
    We have a similar problem with the furnace in our "new" 2004 Tahoe Lite. Took it out for our first camping trip, everything worked, includeing the Suburban furnace, but the fan is loud and sometimes rattles like crazy. It's not a squeak.

    I assume there is something loose inside so I'm going to take the whole unit out to check it. (Just not sure if I'll screw up the propane system when I turn off the propane and disconnect the gas line, can I just reconnect it and turn the propane back on and be ok)?

    I think I also need to remount it on a rubber pad.

    I've had other TT's with Suburban furnaces and they have been nice and quiet running. This one ain't quiet. Does this sound typical for a 2004 furnace?
  • campigloo's avatar
    campigloo
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2015
    Probably have to replace the blower motor. Before I went to the rv parts store I would try appliance parts and hvac suppliers. Probably the same motors without "rv" tagged to it. $$$$
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Apr 10, 2015
    badbowtie wrote:
    I am going to check it out better when I get there tonight but If I remember right I will not even be able to get to the motor with out removing the whole thing to try a couple drops of oil to get thru the weekend. The motor is in the very back of the furnace.


    You usually have to remove the furnace and often dissemble some of the casing to get to the motor.

    It's been awhile since I last done this But, I think you start by removing the screws on the outside of the RV around the exhaust / fresh air intake plate then remove it first. It can be kinda stuck sometimes.
  • badbowtie's avatar
    badbowtie
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2015
    I am going to check it out better when I get there tonight but If I remember right I will not even be able to get to the motor with out removing the whole thing to try a couple drops of oil to get thru the weekend. The motor is in the very back of the furnace.
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Apr 09, 2015
    If you do remove it to change the fan motor don't forget to shake and dig all the dirt out of the combustion chamber. Wasp's and Mud Dubbers love to build there nest in there.
  • Doug33's avatar
    Doug33
    Explorer
    Apr 09, 2015
    In my previous TT the racket my furnace fan made was related to vibrations within the cabinet it sat it. It was so loud it would wake you up out of a sleep when it came on during the night. So I only used it when it was REALLY cold. Otherwise I use electric some heater fans.
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    Apr 09, 2015
    Won't hurt to try and put a couple drops of say 3 in 1 oil at each end of the motor where you can see the shaft. Several people have had good results just dripping oil there.
  • badbowtie's avatar
    badbowtie
    Explorer
    Apr 09, 2015
    I am figuring I will pull the furnace Sunday before I come home and order parts and have all back together buy next weekend. I am trying to figure out what to use for heat this weekend.

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