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Outdoor AC Unit Making Loud Whistling Sound
Posted on 3/27/21 at 9:13 pm
Posted on 3/27/21 at 9:13 pm
I have about a 25 year old AC unit. Thankfully I no longer live in Louisiana and AC’s don’t get the year round wear and tear as they do down there
However, it’s starting to warm up here. I turned the AC on for first time today and there is an extremely loud whistling sound coming from the AC unit.
I know absolutely zero about this stuff. We purchased this house a year ago and we were well aware we would probably be needing to replace the AC within a couple years.
Anyone know what the whistling could mean? Is this a possible easy fix or am I looking at shelling out thousands for a new unit?
However, it’s starting to warm up here. I turned the AC on for first time today and there is an extremely loud whistling sound coming from the AC unit.
I know absolutely zero about this stuff. We purchased this house a year ago and we were well aware we would probably be needing to replace the AC within a couple years.
Anyone know what the whistling could mean? Is this a possible easy fix or am I looking at shelling out thousands for a new unit?
5
Posted on 3/27/21 at 11:04 pm to WLWeller
Was the fan running when the noise was happening? Could be a bearing in the fan motor froze up from sitting.
Posted on 3/28/21 at 4:33 am to WLWeller
No idea what the problem is, but our neighbors unit did this for a couple months. High pitched enough that my dad (60s) wasn't able to hear it. Drove me almost insane. They either fixed it, or I sustained permanent hearing loss. 
Posted on 3/28/21 at 8:17 am to WLWeller
As stated sounds like a bearing/bushing in the fan motor is going out. If you pull the electrical disconnect the outside condensing unit, then stick a screwdriver through the open grate, and give the fan blade a hard push, the fan blade should rotate perhaps 2 to 4 revolutions before stopping, if it only rotates a 1/4 or 1/2 turn or so before stopping, that is a good indication the bearing/bushings in the motor are going bad and the motor needs to be replaced. It’s a good idea to replace the old capacitor with a new one when replacing the fan motor, and you can save the old capacitor as a backup.
If by chance that is an original fan motor, being that old, it might have oiling ports to lubricate the fan motor bearing/bushings. More recent condenser fan motors would not have oiling ports.
Numerous YouTube videos of HVAC techs replacing condenser fan motors.
Had to replace my fan motor this time 2 years ago. Was making the same high pitched squealing sound, when the fan was turning of course.
If by chance that is an original fan motor, being that old, it might have oiling ports to lubricate the fan motor bearing/bushings. More recent condenser fan motors would not have oiling ports.
Numerous YouTube videos of HVAC techs replacing condenser fan motors.
Had to replace my fan motor this time 2 years ago. Was making the same high pitched squealing sound, when the fan was turning of course.
This post was edited on 3/28/21 at 8:30 am
Posted on 3/28/21 at 9:29 pm to WLWeller
possibly a heat pump, reversing valve in unit, makes weird noises like that.
probably a motor though.
probably a motor though.
Posted on 3/29/21 at 5:42 am to WLWeller
How about having a maintenance check on it? That should be done yearly anyway.
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