My front A/C unit has been making some crazy noise. Sounds like a dying animal. If I climb up on top and apply just some slight pressure to the outside cover it stops. I don't think the outside cover is loose (I plan to try and tighten it anyway) since I can't get it to move or anything. My guess is a bolt has loosened slightly somewhere. Can someone tell me if tightening the bolts occurs from top side or bottom side? Would save me a little time!
Thanks,
Benjie
Benjie, be careful. Those covers are quite flimsy. Doesn't take much to crack or break after they have been in the sun for a while. I need to replace both mine, and I don't dare mess with them until I do, cause they are going to fall apart.
Benjie, if you are talking of the AC unit itself then they tighten from inside after removing the plastic cover and filter. Simple fix, just do not tighten too much as you are compressing a foam gasket. I doubt if this is the cause of noise. Maybe you need to oil the fan/motor shaft (depends on what you call "a Dying animal noise")
John
Thanks John. I thought about that, but I don't think its a fan/motor oil issue. It could be a screw or bolt has loosened internally allowing something to vibrate, but I'm able to apply a little downward pressure on the outside cover and the noise completely goes away. I would think a fan/motor shaft would still make that noise even when applying a little downward pressure top side, but I could be wrong. I'll open the thing up tomorrow morning and see what I can find.
With the cover off (roof), also check the mounts for the fan motor. A bad mount can certainly cause harmonics and vibrations.
Even a mud dubber's nest on the fan can throw balance off enough to cause this.
So, check it visually.
Check the compressor mounts. This was making a rattle on my unit. I could not find a replacement so fabricated one out of rubber washers. This was several years ago and noise has not recurred since.
I am in the middle of problem with a newer Dometic Penguin unit that is way too noisy. The factory has a replacement grommet (mount?) kit to quieten the compressor. It seems to have worked on mine. Now it's the LOUD fan that they have to fix as well as the poor high temp performance.
If yours is a newer unit it may help.
Keith
Keith,
We also have some "newer" penguins that are somewhat louder than the old ones. Do you have a PN or source for where you got the improved compressor isolators/mount?
Thanks
If you take the upper cover off and have the ac running, check for vibrating lines and also you should turn the cover over and place it on top of the unit so that the air flow will be continued across the condenser coils
Steve,
I had to call the manufacturer and after not accepting the "It's because of the new freon that they are louder" or "It's because they are designed for ducted a/c" they finally authorized a warranty repair an authorized facility.
There are many complaints about noise from these units, both fan and compressor noise.
If you notice an increase in noise (droning) when the compressor kicks in then the kit may help.
I would suggest talking with Dometic's customer service first. Here is their number: 800-544-4881
Keith