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QUESTION:I have a question about the inducer motor assembly on our 1985 Bryant
downflow gas furnace (360BAW036075).
First, as background, many years ago we had a problem where the burner
would begin to start then immediately shut off and try to start again.
It only did this sporadically and of course the tech was unable to get
it to misbehave. Over time we eventually found that it was doing it
only during long burner runs (very cold weather or someone upping the
thermostat significantly). It took a long time but eventually I found
that it was the inducer motor overheating--apparently there's a thermal
cutout built into it and when it stopped turning the rest of the system
was shut down (pressure sensor knew it wasn't turning). I got some
small aluminum rectangular channels, cut little one inch pieces, and
epoxied them to the outside of the motor to assist the outer cooling fan
to do its job and it's been fine. I mention this because they are
visible in the picture.
The problem is that the inducer motor assembly seems to be vibrating
itself apart and getting noisier and noisier. In the picture you can
see the copper wire I had put on to reduce vibration--even had those
Legos under it for a time. It seems like there are some screws holding
this together from the inboard side facing outward...screws you can't
get to while it's together. I'd like some advice on how this is put
together.
Is the inducer blower wheel just set screwed on the shaft or does it run
in its own bearings? The blower housing is sealed with some sort of hi
temp glue (brown in the picture). Does this all need to come apart to
tighten it up? Is it hard to get apart? If so I'll get a tech in
here. Or can the motor/cooling fan assembly removable without messing
with that glue seal in which case I can pull it, tighten'er all up and
put it back.
ANSWER: I find this protectionist attitude rather amusing because if I go into
pretty much any other website...say electronics repair or auto repair or
computer help...folks will be only too happy to give advice. In my own
field I frequent a website-based forum where advice is freely given both
to techs and end users. Sometimes that includes the fact that certain
test gear or a certain level of experience is needed to do something.
But I've never noticed anyone to immediately go into "Call a pro" mode
just because the questioner is an end user. Techs and even the
manufacturers reps are glad to offer advice. What makes this field so
different? Surely you guys aren't so hard up for work that you covet
every screw tightening service call. Please don't patronize by saying
this field has much greater safety concerns than any other because that
just doesn't wash.
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