Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    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
    Senior Member
    		  
    #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
    New Member
    		  
    #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
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #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?
    Attached Images
     
    Steve_56's Avatar
    Steve_56 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #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.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Why is my heat pump noise making a loud noise? [ 4 Answers ]

This morning my heat pump sounded like a lawn mower running. It's coming from the outside and it was loud enough for me to think someone had generator running in my back yard.

Heat pump noise while in reg heat - not fans or vibration [ 2 Answers ]

Our heat pump makes a loud noise while in regular heat. Emergency heat and Ac setting do not make the noise. The noise seems to be in the copper pipes. It's not the squirle cage or fans. The copper feed lines are not blocked. Our inside unit is a 1990 Rudd while the outside unit was replaced...

New heat pump noise [ 2 Answers ]

I had a bryant heat pump installed in march 08. Model 213r and every once in a while maybe 3 times a day or so while the outside unit is running it gets a little loud not a buzz it's a deeper sound like its trying to pump something. Just wondering if that's normal does it in ac and heat but works...

Heat pump noise. [ 5 Answers ]

This is the first house I've had that the outside condenser unit runs year round. In fact, we have 2! Downstairs is all nat gas, and upstairs is electric forced air. Home is new construction. My ques is when the heat is on, there is a purge of hot steamy air that exits out the side of the house...

View more questions Search