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    windycitykid's Avatar
    windycitykid Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Dec 1, 2009, 05:15 PM
    Heat pump thumping noise
    My 1994 built home has the original heat pump. When placing the unit in regular heat mode, it makes a loud thumping very close to the Jumanji movie drum beat. I'm not kidding and is very loud and can be heard from any home within 200 feet. The only way I can get it to stop is turn the unit off or place it in Emergency heat mode.

    I had a technician take a look at it last year and he he thought the refrigerant was low and added some. This didn't help the issue and unfortunately the unit wouldn't make the noise while the service technician was here.

    The unit works fine for AC during the summer without the noise and only makes it in regular heat mode after being turned on for about 15 minutes.

    Any thoughts?

    Bill H

    [email protected]
    EPMiller's Avatar
    EPMiller Posts: 624, Reputation: 37
    Senior Member
     
    #2

    Dec 1, 2009, 05:25 PM

    Is this noise coming from the outdoor unit or the indoor air handler? You didn't specify. If it is the ODU, go out and check if it is the fan or if you can localize it to a part that you can see inside the unit. DON'T open it up. Is the sound in the tubing and transferred inside that way?

    EPM
    EPMiller's Avatar
    EPMiller Posts: 624, Reputation: 37
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    #3

    Dec 1, 2009, 05:27 PM
    It just occurred to me that it could be liquid slugging in the compressor. If that is the case, it will soon be ruined if it keeps up. Call a repairman. If he hears it he should be able to diagnose it.
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
    Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
     
    #4

    Dec 1, 2009, 05:46 PM
    Broken compressor internal spring?
    windycitykid's Avatar
    windycitykid Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Dec 2, 2009, 08:35 PM

    The noise is coming from the outdoor unit and seems to originate from the tubing with a pulsating/thumping sound. If seems to be worse... noise start sooner when the temperature is colder. If it's liquid slugging in the compressor or a broken compressor spring, is there anyway I can troubleshoot myself or must I call a service technician.
    KC13's Avatar
    KC13 Posts: 2,556, Reputation: 99
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    #6

    Dec 2, 2009, 09:31 PM
    Unusual that this only occurs in the heating mode... does the large insulated line get warm/hot when the heat pump runs (carefully check where the copper is exposed, while noise is occurring)? If the heat pump utilizes a scroll compressor, and the reversing valve is leaking through in heating mode, the under-loaded scroll may be slapping around. Did the technician check the operating pressures in the heating mode?
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    Steve_56's Avatar
    Steve_56 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Nov 28, 2011, 01:37 AM
    I have an outside Heat Pump unit that has begun to occasionally make a loud audible thumping sound when the HEAT is turned ON. I just noticed it making the noise beginning this fall, when the weather is cold. It didn't make the noise when the AC was running this summer. It was originally installed in '91.

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