P.S.A. For Your Job - Air Conditioner Information (1 Viewer)

[Doug B]

I would just buy the fan motor and replace it. If the thing cools ok and isn't leaking refrigerant that's what I'd do. Especially if you are somewhat handy.

It would help a lot if I can do it without having to cut any studs. I don't have a metal-cutting tool for that. EDIT: Can borrow some bolt cutters, like used on padlocks. But that's too imprecise a tool for a fan motor replacement, right?

I really don't want to have to cut the motor shaft itself, but that doesn't seem to be necessary very often.

 

[belljr]

I would just buy the fan motor and replace it. If the thing cools ok and isn't leaking refrigerant that's what I'd do. Especially if you are somewhat handy.

It would help a lot if I can do it without having to cut any studs. I don't have a metal-cutting tool for that. EDIT: Can borrow some bolt cutters, like used on padlocks. But that's too imprecise a tool for a fan motor replacement, right?

I really don't want to have to cut the motor shaft itself, but that doesn't seem to be necessary very often.

cutting studs? bolt cutters? what?

 

[ChiefD]

I would just buy the fan motor and replace it. If the thing cools ok and isn't leaking refrigerant that's what I'd do. Especially if you are somewhat handy.

It would help a lot if I can do it without having to cut any studs. I don't have a metal-cutting tool for that. EDIT: Can borrow some bolt cutters, like used on padlocks. But that's too imprecise a tool for a fan motor replacement, right?

I really don't want to have to cut the motor shaft itself, but that doesn't seem to be necessary very often.

You shouldn't need to cut anything. If that motor doesn't slide off the fan blades you are replacing the blades also.

 

[belljr]

I would just buy the fan motor and replace it. If the thing cools ok and isn't leaking refrigerant that's what I'd do. Especially if you are somewhat handy.

It would help a lot if I can do it without having to cut any studs. I don't have a metal-cutting tool for that. EDIT: Can borrow some bolt cutters, like used on padlocks. But that's too imprecise a tool for a fan motor replacement, right?

I really don't want to have to cut the motor shaft itself, but that doesn't seem to be necessary very often.

You shouldn't need to cut anything. If that motor doesn't slide off the fan blades you are replacing the blades also.

or buy the fan motor removal tool...... https://www.grainger.com/product/2P...GuNpmGPSKS8xeN87j7RoCijUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Doug B]

cutting studs? bolt cutters? what?

See here for an example.

I think I found a replacement motor with short enough studs, though. Hope that pic is accurate!

 

[Doug B]

If that motor doesn't slide off the fan blades you are replacing the blades also.

I've tried removing the fan blades off the shaft once (thought it would help do a better job of oiling the shaft). Unscrewed the little square bolt, but that blade assembly still felt like it was Super-Glued on. Was hoping to retain and re-use the blades, but if I can't, I can't.

 

[Doug B]

You shouldn't need to cut anything. If that motor doesn't slide off the fan blades you are replacing the blades also.

You were right -- didn't need to cut anything since this kind of fan motor is super-common. The bolts and shaft of the new one were the same lengths as the old motor. New motor's wires were the same colors as the old one, so routing everything back was easy.

And I got lucky with the fan blades. PB Blaster and two earnest turns with some 150-grit sandpaper allowed me to pull the blades off with just my two hands. Thumbs on the shaft, fingers on the hub. Blades stayed pristine. No special tools, hammering, beating on anything, etc. Also some good YouTube videos showing others doing the same task.

I swapped out the fan motor about an hour ago. Air feels cold coming out of the vents. Temperature dropping. Just keeping an eye on everything for the rest of the afternoon to make sure.

 

[Doug B]

cutting studs? bolt cutters? what?

See here for an example.

I think I found a replacement motor with short enough studs, though. Hope that pic is accurate!

I see the video was not cued up. Go to 3:50 ... this repair video shows that some motors have extra-long bolts that will stick out of the top of your unit after replacement. The video suggests just cutting off the excess stud length.

Lot of repair videos also mention cutting down a long motor shaft. I'm not clear on why that's necessary (if it's just a few extra inches and not hitting anything), but it gets mentioned plenty.

 

[beer 30]

or buy the fan motor removal tool...... https://www.grainger.com/product/2P...GuNpmGPSKS8xeN87j7RoCijUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Oh wow, this is typically what I use.

 

[Doug B]

@ChiefD , if you'll indulge me a question:

How much shaking is acceptable in condenser fan motor? I know it's the kind of thing that's hard to describe in words.

All I can say is that the fan motor visibly shakes while running and it's easy to feel the vibration when you put your hand on the side of the unit. Is my fan motor shaking to the point where it looks like it's going to pop off? No, it doesn't look severe ... just that if you get right up close to the grill and lean down, you can see it wobble a bit while it runs. Anything I can do to smooth it out some?

 

[beer 30]

just that if you get right up close to the grill and lean down

Yea that...don't do that.

Problem solved

Follow me for more HVAC advice

 

[Doug B]

Anything I can do to smooth it out some?

Answer:

"Yes, Doug B ... go tighten those loose bolts on top of the grill."

 

[belljr]

You shouldn't need to cut anything. If that motor doesn't slide off the fan blades you are replacing the blades also.

You were right -- didn't need to cut anything since this kind of fan motor is super-common. The bolts and shaft of the new one were the same lengths as the old motor. New motor's wires were the same colors as the old one, so routing everything back was easy.

And I got lucky with the fan blades. PB Blaster and two earnest turns with some 150-grit sandpaper allowed me to pull the blades off with just my two hands. Thumbs on the shaft, fingers on the hub. Blades stayed pristine. No special tools, hammering, beating on anything, etc. Also some good YouTube videos showing others doing the same task.

I swapped out the fan motor about an hour ago. Air feels cold coming out of the vents. Temperature dropping. Just keeping an eye on everything for the rest of the afternoon to make sure.

So sensual