Loud noise Blower/Furnace
#1
01-04-09, 10:51 AM
Loud noise Blower/Furnace
I have an old natural gas furnace that makes a loud vibrating/rumbling noise when its actually blowing heat. The furnace is a Rheem 3204-80HD and I beleive its as old as the house which is over 30yrs old. Besides the noise it seems to work fine. I had talked to the original owner of the house and he said he remembers by-passing something on the blower in the past when the blower stopped working... he said something about a relay but wasnt sure. The noise is really loud and is heard through out the house and sounds like it is coming from the blower/motor area.
#2
01-04-09, 11:29 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
You can start by taking the cover off the fan compartment of the furnace and carefully listening and observing what is happening while the fan is running. Where is it coming from, what does it sound like, when does it start and stop and so on?
The quality of your observations is likely to determine what help we can provide.
The quality of your observations is likely to determine what help we can provide.
#3
01-04-09, 11:48 AM
Thank you for your reply. I will do. The noise is heard while the blower is going/on and stops when the blower stops. The sound is hard to describe... but is a vibrating/rumbling sound. Is it possible to post an audio file? I can record the sound
#4
01-04-09, 12:28 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
A vibrating, rumbling sound could be a fan wheel that's failing and beginning to fall apart. You can check to see if the fan wheel turns easily and inspect the fan blades and hub for any wobbles, cracking or deterioration. Sometimes a the fan will come loose from the hub that's clamped on the motor, so check for that kind of possible damage too.
#5
01-04-09, 12:50 PM
Member
Judging from the age of your furnace , you might have a belt drive blower. The sounds described make me think you have a loose or misadjusted belt. It could also be caused by a lack of lubrication in the blower bearings or the motor itself. Get in there and check it out carefully while it is running & post back.
Andy
Andy
#6
01-04-09, 02:19 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Another possibility is that the sheet metal warm air plenum is sometimes insualted on the inside for a ways to reduce noise. That insulation mat can break loose and could cause the kind of noise you describe.
So that's another thing to listen for --- the possibility that the noise is coming from the warm air plenum or ductwork rather than the fan compartment.
So that's another thing to listen for --- the possibility that the noise is coming from the warm air plenum or ductwork rather than the fan compartment.
