Any Hvac Guys? Need Help.

[MarkH024]

Just recently my carrier furnance started make this really strange humming noise. Furnace is 13 years old. Sometimes it does it a couple times and other times the entire duration as it's running. It also seems to only do it when there is flame and as soon as the flame goes off for the last 20-30 seconds the noise stops. Any professional opinions are appreciated. I know this, its not vibrations making the noise.

 

[Senko lover]

I'm an Hvac guy, but I use it, not fix it Sorry bro.

[BaitMonkey1984]

Misread the post. Thought it said " Any Havoc guys? " 1/2 Havoc on TW as we speak. Just got 40 bags Im going to have to hide from the gf.

[WIGuide]

Misread the post. Thought it said " Any Havoc guys? " 1/2 Havoc on TW as we speak. Just got 40 bags Im going to have to hide from the gf.

I misread as well haha

[slonezp]

Mark, the video link comes up private. hvac is the trade that crippled me. Where'd you move to? I might know a guy.

[MarkH024]

Paul,  try again. Not sure why it was private but I fixed that.

 

I'm in Sugar Grove now and I have a guy too which I consulted with.  I'm almost certain the noise is coming from the Inducer motor.  The furnace runs fine, heat is good it's just a nuisance of a noise.  The reason I (and my HVAC friend) think it is the inducer motor because once that kicks on sometimes you can hear the same noise but much more faint.  Almost as if the sound is coming from the fan that is just outside of the inducer motor. Then as its running and heat is blowing the noise pulses in and out like in the video much louder.  I was just looking for some more opinions on it, and perhaps someone is very familiar with the problem. I looked online and it doesn't seem to be just my Carrier furnace that this problem has come up. 

[A-Jay]

I'm not an HVAC Guy ~

 

But it could be that the Gonkulator's on the fritz . . . . .

 

 Or you may need to bump it up to 1.21 Gigawatts . . .

 

Good Luck

 

 

A-Jay

[deaknh03]

Mark, the video link comes up private. hvac is the trade that crippled me. Where'd you move to? I might know a guy.

That should be the Illinois state slogan.."The I might know a guy state".

[MarkH024]

That should be the Illinois state slogan.."The I might know a guy state".

There are far more slogans that appropriately fit this disgrace of a state.  

[slonezp]

Sounds like the inducer motor. The motor assembly should be able to be purchased online for $100 +/- You'll need the model and serial # of the unit to look it up and/or the carrier part number. You may or may not need high temp silicone as well. Sorry, I don't know anyone that far west. If you are the least bit mechanically inclined, you should be able to do it yourself. If you want to PM me the info and a picture of the motor, I can see what I can find.

[MarkH024]

I already got a price check from "my guy" around lunch time. Its a $350 his cost for the inducer motor assembly, so after I throw him some cheddar on top i'm looking at $450 probably.  On the phone last night he thought it would only be about $150 like you said, but he was wrong.  I don't think he's pulling a fast one because he's done work on the side for me before and I do work for his company as well.  His wife used to work for me too.

 

I'll get those numbers and research this weekend.  I'd prefer he or someone in the field does it just to be safe. Normal circumstances I like to do as much as I can on my own but not on something like this in fear of making matters worse.

 

If you find out anymore, cool, if not no big deal. I appreciate the help. 

[gardnerjigman]

Definitely an inducer motor. Get the numbers and get it from hvacpartsoutlet.com

I managed 75 rental houses all with similar models. Easy install yourself if you are handy. Parts range from $125-$300 depending on model.

[MarkH024]

Thanks GJM

[Catch 22]

It sounds like a dry motor bearing  or bushing .If so, get some lube in them before a new motor install. Its worth a try.

Just my 2cents

[gardnerjigman]

It sounds like a dry motor bearing  or bushing .If so, get some lube in them before a new motor install. Its worth a try.

Just my 2cents

 

Sounds like it's too far gone for this. However, after the install, buy a small can of all-in-one oil and keep it lubed. 

[slonezp]

It sounds like a dry motor bearing  or bushing .If so, get some lube in them before a new motor install. Its worth a try.

Just my 2cents

 

 

Sounds like it's too far gone for this. However, after the install, buy a small can of all-in-one oil and keep it lubed. 

Chances are it's a C frame motor. The oil will do more harm than good. They have small brass sleeve bearings  and once they are shot, they are shot. It may be the stator rotor as well.

[James Pondscum]

Check with a local electric motor repair shops. Have had some from other brands rebuilt for much less. Just took a couple of days.

[Catch 22]

So what happened==repair==refurbed ==replaced?

[MarkH024]

I haven't done anything yet. Interestingly enough, the noise started when the weather to date was the coldest and really dry. The past week it has been warmer and higher humidity levels with the rain we've had. The noise sounds off initially when the furnace kicks on but doesn't continue through the whole cycle.  I'm still going to have my guy look at it probably after the holidays.  

I'm stumped because I don't know if it's just that the furnace is running less or the humidity itself is playing a part?  I will definitely update you guys if and when I get it repaired.

[looking4structure]

As a licensed HVAC tech I've never seen one make that noise. That being said if it's only in heat mode it has to be a component used during heat. Does it make that noise during cooling or indoor fan only? I would suspect induced draft motor as others. Bearings do funny things when they start to fail. To trouble shoot it I would wire it up direct sending power just to the draft motor and see if it makes that noise. If you replace it make sure you get the felt type gasket lined up good. Without it flue gas could escape and that's never good. It's only 2 wires and rubber tube that goes to a pressure switch. I've seen dirty squirrel cages make a furnaces  scream and shake due to the ballance. If you decide to dig in it be careful as 110 volts can be very dangerous. Killing power is a must via unplugging the unit or flipping the breaker. Most furnaces have a door switch that prevents unit operating once doors are removed but voltage will still be present from your whip to the switch.