Hi, I my furnace has been making a buzzing sound recently. I first noticed it last week when the furnace was firing up there would be a buzzing sound for about 5-10 seconds before air started coming through the vents.

Then, yesterday the buzzing sound was even longer, and instead of air coming through the vents the furnace would stop.

I opened up the furnace to see what was happening. The igniter starts but when the blower should have started there is a buzzing sound and the flame goes out.

I thought it was the blower motor so I took it out and cleaned everything. After I started it up again there was no buzzing sound so I was relieved for a second, but then the blower fan was making contact with the enclosure.

I took it out again and adjusted it, but it back and started it up. There was a buzzing sound for a few seconds but it did start up, so I was relieved for that because it is freezing right now.

For now I just want to get the temperature up to a normal level, but I am wondering what I should do. .Does the motor need oil, or will I need to replace it? Or could it be something else?

Thank you in advance.

 

For the most part..... those are sealed bearing motors.
You could try oiling it to get it to run temporarily but it sound like it needs to be replaced.

 

If it’s the bearing it won’t get any better and all you can do is replace the motor, but it’s also possible that it’s a weak capacitor causing the motor to start sluggish and noisy. It’s worth the $3.00 - $4.00 dollars to eliminate this possibility. If it still starts noisy then your buying a motor anyway and who knows it may take the same size capacitor.

 

Thanks for the advice PJmax and riostr.

I don't know if this helps, but here is exactly what happens.

- the flame gets lit
- right when the blower starts there is a fairly loud buzzing/grinding noise
- as the blower picks up speed the buzzing/grinding sound get less and less
- by the time the blower reaches full speed the buzzing/grinding sound is gone

 

It sounds like a problem with the motor but that's the best we can tell you.
If the blower wheel is not physically hitting ...... then it sounds like you need a new motor.

 

I took some time messing around with it hoping it wasn't the motor. Ended up being the motor. I replaced it and everything is fine now. Thanks everybody.

 

Thanks for letting us know how you made out.