Had an AC salesman out today about replacing the upstairs unit. He was demonstrating "proper air flow" with the basement unit. He opened the furnace and the blower motor made a squealing noise when it came back on. He flicked the power off and then on again and the noise disappeared. He said it needed to be lubricated. He gave me a quote to put in a new system for the upstairs and left and I went out for a while and came back later in the evening to a hot house. Went in the basement, opened the face of the unit and it was humming and there was a smell of something being generally electrically not right. I let go of the safety switch and the noise went away. Pressed it and the noise returned... the fan's drum didn't turn either time. I pressed the switch again and spun the fan drum by hand and it started up, ran for about a minute and a half and then came to a stop with a hum.

Now, I proved with an earlier question that I have limited knowledge of the HVAC world. But my un-expert opinion is that the fan motor is bad (and, amazingly, so is the one in the attic). I just bought this house and the prior owners, it seems, didn't take very good care of the systems. So... does it sound likely that it's the motor? If so, where does one buy a replacement motor? While I realize now that working on a compressor is WAY over my head, sliding a motor out and sliding a new one in is usually a straightforward task regardless of what you're working on.

Thanks in advance.

- Roasting in Atlanta

Try "www.myhvacparts.com" When I try to paste the link there is an ad for AC repair contractors. LOL Anyway these guys sell the parts.

You might try replacing the run capacitor on the blower motor before you replace it.

Is this a belt drive or direct drive?