Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Heating & Air Conditioning (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=150)
-   -   Will a non-centered squirrel cage cause rumbling? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=446904)

  • Feb 14, 2010, 09:09 AM
    pjac
    Will a non-centered squirrel cage cause rumbling?
    The squirrel cage is tight on the motor shaft, but could be a bit off center of the flame tube. Would this cause the heater to rumble when it is ignited?
  • Feb 14, 2010, 09:40 AM
    KC13

    Are you referring to the indoor air circulating blower, or the combustion draft inducer (if present/equipped)? Brand/model# of unit would be helpful. If the rumbling starts after the circulating blower starts, heat exchanger leakage/failure is likely.
  • Feb 14, 2010, 11:03 AM
    pjac
    Hello KC13, Thanks for responding. I believe the combustion draft inducer is the one. The heater is a York model #UFO85D10. Someone delivered some bad fuel and this started the whole thing. I cleaned the heater, removed the pump motor and cage and cleaned that. I had another cage in much better condition, so I replaced the one that was on the pump motor. It rumbles and sputters somewhat, at start-up, then seems to work itself out. I thought I may have that draft inducer(cage) too far left or right on the shaft and it may be causing the flame to sound strange. Hope this makes some sense. I am more a car mechanic than heater mechanic and only involved in this due to current economics. Thanks, Pat
  • Feb 14, 2010, 11:44 AM
    KC13

    If this is a fuel oil furnace, the "bad fuel" may have fouled the burner nozzle. If a barometric damper is present, peek inside the flue with the burner running - use a flashlight. If smoke is visible in the flue, the fuel may not be properly atomizing.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:05 AM.