Freaked-out furnace.

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Freaked-out furnace.

January 30, 2016, 12:53:56 pm

We've been running the Atwood 8535 front furnace in the mornings for the past few months. New in 07, it now makes a "groaning" sound and will not fire. I assume the motor is toast, my question is it looks likes it comes out from the outside, but can the motor be pulled without the removing the whole assembly? If the furnace has to come out, do I need to remove the fold-out bed to undo the hoses or is there access underneath? I'm not exactly in RV tech city, so my thought is to order a fresh furnace and find someone to help me pull the old & re-install new. We're expecting a storm, but have our good old liquid radiators & the stern furnace to help us "survive". Thanks for any advice, M

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #1 – January 30, 2016, 01:12:19 pm

Here is a Youtube and it looks easy. Click on the words "YouTube video" not the picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7YTOcSPOyI

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #2 – January 30, 2016, 01:39:02 pm

Mike,

Before considering replacing the motor, I would oil it. It has bushings, not bearings. Use a light, non-detergent oil such as sewing machine oil.

Everything can be done from outside-- accessing the motor, replacing it, etc.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #3 – January 30, 2016, 01:45:28 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – January 30, 2016, 01:39:02 pm

Before considering replacing the motor, I would oil it. It has bushings, not bearings. Use a light, non-detergent oil such as sewing machine oil. Everything can be done from outside-- accessing the motor, replacing it, etc.

Thanks to you both! Brett, can I oil the motor without pulling it. (I wish I had smaller hands in situations like this).

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #4 – January 30, 2016, 01:49:06 pm

Quote from: mike leary – January 30, 2016, 01:45:28 pm

Thanks to you both! Brett, can I oil the motor without pulling it. (I wish I had smaller hands in situations like this).

Yes. A drop of oil at a time on a long screwdriver to either end of the motor (between motor and fans. Oil will wick into the bushings. Worse case pull it and lubing would be more effective, but more work. Start with easy.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #5 – January 30, 2016, 02:00:16 pm

What would we newcomers do without this great forum?

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #6 – January 30, 2016, 02:01:36 pm

What about using one of those long nose oil cans, either the pump type where you squeeze the handle on the other side of the small juice size container, or one of the long tube where you push on the bottom of the can to get the oil to "burp" out.
Slow and lightly let the oil out.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #7 – January 30, 2016, 02:16:33 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – January 30, 2016, 02:01:36 pm

What about using one of those long nose oil cans, Slow and lightly let the oil out.

Damn! I used to have one of those. Oh well, that's what Amazon is for.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #8 – January 30, 2016, 02:39:31 pm

Sure, an oil can with long spout would work fine-- just make sure it has light-viscosity, non-detergent oil.

But I have often just used a long blade screwdriver and put oil in a drop at a time.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #9 – January 30, 2016, 02:54:47 pm

Mike lol had the same thing happen to our bedroom heater. Did the oil.thing and it helped.but then it got crazy noisy.so it happen to get a motor from Ken and replaced here at camp Verde.it was not that bad of a job. I found the video on YouTube and it took a little time. Make sure you have a 1/8 Allen wrench about 6 inches long for the set screw on the fans.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #10 – January 30, 2016, 03:27:22 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – January 30, 2016, 02:39:31 pm

Sure, an oil can with long spout would work fine-- just make sure it has light-viscosity, non-detergent oil.

But I have often just used a long blade screwdriver and put oil in a drop at a time.

Not sure how long of a reach is needed, but they sell sewing machine oil in bottles with extending spouts. Local JoAnn fabrics or sewing machine shops should have them.

Dritz? Machine Oil - 4 oz | Jo-Ann

They also make one with a 14" reach.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #11 – January 30, 2016, 06:11:59 pm

Go to Ace Hardware and ask for a zoom spout turbine oiler, the oil is made for motor bushing.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #12 – January 30, 2016, 07:14:02 pm

Quote from: Bill Willett – January 30, 2016, 06:11:59 pm

Go to Ace Hardware and ask for a zoom spout turbine oiler, the oil is made for motor bushing.

Ho ho, we have one just down the street, thanks, Bill !

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #13 – January 30, 2016, 07:36:28 pm

@Andy,

Glad you got it in! I was going to send you a link to that YouTube video. Looks like I don't need to now.

see ya
ken

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #14 – January 30, 2016, 09:38:04 pm

Thank you Ken , she works like a new one.Safe travels my friend.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #15 – January 31, 2016, 03:23:50 pm

UPDATE.....Just for grins, I tried the furnace this a.m., it worked, but would not re-cycle. I remembered my Suburbans did the sorta same thing and was solved by replacing the card, I ordered one (good to have a spare, anyhew). News at eleven. M

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #16 – January 31, 2016, 09:08:26 pm

We used our Amazon Zoom Spout oil to oil our roof air conditioner motor bearings. It should fix a noisy furnace motor. Our furnace motor comes out, with some effort.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #17 – January 31, 2016, 09:54:19 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – January 31, 2016, 09:08:26 pm

We used our Amazon Zoom Spout oil to oil our roof air conditioner motor bearings. It should fix a noisy furnace motor. Our furnace motor comes out, with some effort.

Mike,

Along with the Zoom Spout Turbine Oil I would also recommend the Zoom Spout Rust Buster. It's usually sold where you find the oil. It's thin like water and is some amazing stuff for loosening up nuts, bolts, screws, shafts, etc. I use it all the time. 4 Oz Zoom Spout Rust Buster | HD Supply

Jerry

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #18 – February 01, 2016, 09:21:28 am

Just talked with Atwood rep, he checked and said the motor in my 8535 IV DCLP (new in 07) is "permanently lubricated" and the motor would sound like one of my ex-girlfriend's should it go bad, not the "buzzing" I'm having. He agreed with me that it's most likely the card, we'll see! M

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #19 – February 01, 2016, 09:39:22 am

Mike,
If you think it is the control board and you have two heaters, swap the control boards, if it's the board the problem will move to the other heater.
JD

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #20 – February 01, 2016, 12:15:56 pm

Quote from: John Duld – February 01, 2016, 09:39:22 am

If you think it is the control board and you have two heaters, swap the control boards, if it's the board the problem will move to the other heater.

I'll have a fresh board in a few days. Furnaces are different makes, but the boards look the same. Will check with my favorites: Dinosaur Electronics Home. High quality circuit boards for RV appliances. to see if the "universal" fits both furnaces. They make a cool tester that I might invest in. Thanks, John

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #21 – February 01, 2016, 02:55:30 pm

@Mike,

Wish this had come up while we were there. I have the controller board I pulled out of my 8535 when it died. Tried to sell it on ebay but no bites. If you want it pm me your shipping address and I'll send it.

see ya
ken

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #22 – February 02, 2016, 09:15:19 am

Quote from: kenhat – February 01, 2016, 02:55:30 pm

@Wish this had come up while we were there. I have the controller board I pulled out of my 8535 when it died. Tried to sell it on ebay but no bites. If you want it pm me your shipping address and I'll send it.

Thanks for the offer, Ken. I believe it's called "Coach Karma", where something goes out when you most need it. I've not had the coach long enough to have spares on board, but it's time .

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #23 – February 03, 2016, 11:08:47 am

UPDATE: Decided to check the voltage to the existing board with my trusty VOM , pulled the main power connection from the board to measure, found 13.78 volts, o.k. Here's the kicker, plugged the wire back in, hit the switch and on came the furnace and worked as advertised , this morning cycled correctly! Could have had a corroded connection in the hot or jiggled another wire when I moved the card out to measure. I'm still going to replace the board, but will clean the wire lugs and next time (there will be), I'll pull the wire connectors and clean the board connections. I'll keep this board for a spare.

Re: Freaked-out furnace.

Reply #24 – February 03, 2016, 02:12:11 pm

Sometimes you need to tighten the connector by pressing with a small screw driver on individual female connections.
Bill

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