Heat Pump Shaking/Vibrating

PapaPerk · Oct 30, 2011

Hello, Well a couple times now my small American Standard heat pump has woke me up. It sounds just like a 1 cyl gas engine running! Not sure what's going on. Reminds me of an out if balance washing machine.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to correct this problem? Thank u

5030 · Oct 30, 2011

Time to upgrade.

Western · Oct 30, 2011

That happened t us,not a heat pump, ended up being the fan motor bearings. I replaced it myself.

PapaPerk · Oct 30, 2011

5030 said:
Time to upgrade.

It's only 4 years old and not used very much.

MarkV · Oct 30, 2011

I've seen that happen if there is ice on the fan blades.

MarkV

kebo · Oct 30, 2011

Need to determine if it's coming from the fan motor, or the compressor. IF it's the fan, it could be motor bearings as suggested, or it could be a fan blade bent/out of balance. If it's the compressor, could be time for a new one.

handirifle · Oct 30, 2011

If it is the fan, it will be obvious when it runs. Have someone turn it on, while you are watching it. DO NOT turn it on an off and right back on again, as it can cause compressor problems, if there is no built in time delay.

If the fan is out of balance, they usually vibrate quite a bit, BUT, something had to either hit the fan or bend it to cause an issue like this.

My guess is it's internal in the compressor, and you won't be able to see anything. If it is internal, it's most likely the mounts for the motor, which are usually spring mounted, and it sounds like one, or more springs, broke.

If that is the case, the compressor will have to be replaced, as they are hermetically sealed and not field repairable.