How to Tighten a Furnace Fan Belt
- Step 1 – Turn off the Power Supply ...
- Step 2 – Remove the Screws ...
- Step 3 – Remove the Cover ...
- Step 4 – Locate the Motor ...
- Step 5 – The Adjusting Nut ...
- Step 6 – Adjusting the Nuts ...
- Step 7 – Push the Motor Backward ...
- Step 8 – Tighten the Nut ...
How to check if furnace fan belt is working?
How much flex should a fan belt have?
How to loosen a nut on a motor?
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How do you tighten a furnace belt?
1:093:39How to adjust the furnace fan belt. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut all you have to do is just turn this thing up and down. Once you release the lock nut. And youMoreBut all you have to do is just turn this thing up and down. Once you release the lock nut. And you can adjust it. And it'll make the belt tighter. And see it's tightening up now.
How tight should a furnace fan belt be?
Press down in the middle of the furnace belt to see how much it deflects. If should deflect ½”-¾”. If it deflects more than ¾ of an inch when you press down on it, then it is too loose and needs to be tightened.
How do you tighten a furnace blower motor?
Use the two screws at the base or the side of your furnace blower motor. Turn them counterclockwise to loosen. This allows you to move the motor in the direction you want. Once the nuts/screws are loose, push the motor to form a taut belt.
How do you tension a belt?
Whack the belt with a karate chop, and if it feels firm, the drive is properly tensioned.” “Press the belt with your thumb until it deflects about 1/2 in.” “Tension the drive until you get a slight bow in the slack side when it is running.”
How long do furnace belts last?
Most drive belts only last about one year. It is, therefore, a good practice to change them annually.
How do you check belt tension and pulley alignment?
3:137:41How To Check Belt Tension & Alignment On An Air CompressorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo press it against make sure it's flush with the outside of the flywheel. And you're gonna hold itMoreSo press it against make sure it's flush with the outside of the flywheel. And you're gonna hold it up about same level as the belts. And what we're doing is we're measuring.
Why is my furnace fan making a loud noise?
Most likely the blower fan has become loose and is creating the sound by hitting against the blower house casing. A metal-scraping sound needs to be addressed right away and requires the attention of a professional HVAC technician.
Why is my furnace so loud all of a sudden?
If you're hearing a loud banging or booming noise, this could indicate your furnace has dirty burners. This is hazardous as it can hinder the ignition. This delay in ignition triggers a gas build-up, producing a little explosion when it finally does light. Your burners should be regularly cleaned to avoid this issue.
Why is my furnace making a loud banging noise?
Banging Noise When the Furnace Kicks On This is a delayed ignition caused by dirty furnace burners. The dirt keeps the burners from igniting the gas, so the gas builds up. Once the gas ignites it makes the loud banging noise. Basically, it's a mini-explosion in the furnace.
Can you over tighten a fan belt?
An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.
How do you check fan belt tension?
0:582:17Belt Tension: How To Know The Correct Tension - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd there's a spring which pulls on the tensioner. But that doesn't always get it tight. Enough so IMoreAnd there's a spring which pulls on the tensioner. But that doesn't always get it tight. Enough so I like to get a screwdriver in there and kind of lift up on the tensioner. But sometimes doing that
What are three ways to check belt tension?
Common belt tensioning methods are to measure belt tension by deflection, to measure belt tension by frequency, and to use a Tension Finder™.
How do you use a belt tension gauge?
1:292:51Dayco - Krikit Tension Gauge Tool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the gauge is placed correctly. The next step is to slowly depress the pressure pad pushing theMoreOnce the gauge is placed correctly. The next step is to slowly depress the pressure pad pushing the cricket gauge perpendicular to the back of the belt. The slower you go the better.
What happens if a furnace belt breaks?
Problem 6: Broken Belts The belt inside the furnace blower can wear out and break over time. When it does, it can make it impossible for the furnace to circulate hot air through the duct work. Replacing the belt resolves the problem.
Do furnace fans have belts?
Furnaces need monthly maintenance and many do-it-yourselfers overlook the blower-fan belt. A worn, wimpy belt isn't dangerous, but it makes a squealing noise that may drive you crazy and, more important, cost you money. If the belt isn't tight enough, it slips, and the fan won't turn as it should.
What does a furnace belt do?
Most belt driven HVAC systems today utilize V-belts. These tapered belts connect the motor pulley to the blower wheel pulley, powering the blower and pushing air into the duct-work.
Common Belt Problems: Keeping Your Belt Drive Systems Running Smoothly ...
Belts, along with electric motors, shafts, and pulleys, are a critical component of power transmission in belt drive systems. While belts require very little maintenance, improper belt tension, misalignment of pulleys, mishandling of belts, and environmental factors are common problems that can shorten the life of your belts and bring your system to a halt.
How to tighten blower belt?
Follow these steps to inspect and tighten your blower belt: Make sure power is off by flipping the power switch to “off” and flipping the corresponding breaker switch “off” in your electrical panel. If you feel comfortable, remove the cover to your furnace blower compartment.
How to tell if fan belt is bad?
Look for the motor and fan belt. Visually inspect the fan belt for any signs of aging, fraying, or deterioration . If it looks in bad shape, call a professional to replace the belt.
Why does my furnace make a noise?
If you are hearing squealing or hissing noises from your furnace, it’s a good idea to find the source of the problem and fix it as soon as possible. Most likely, if you are hearing hissing/squealing sounds coming from your furnace, it’s an ill-fitting or loose fan belt.
Why does my central heating fan make a squeaky noise?
Since the belt is placed under a lot of stress, it can crack and eventually break. If the belt is failing , you may hear squeaking sounds or your central heating won’t work at all until you have it replaced.
How to loosen a belt on a motor?
You can loosen and tighten the belt with the two screws that are located on the side or base of the motor (“motor bolt”). Loosen both nuts by turning them counterclockwise. This will enable you to move the motor back and forth.
Why does my HVAC system smell like it's burning?
Old, worn out , and overstressed fan belts can also cause a rubbery, burning smell. If this is the case, turn off your system and call a professional technician right away. Burning HVAC smells are never a good sign.
How much does a belt deflect?
Press down in the middle of the belt to see how much it deflects. If should deflect ½”-¾”. If it deflects more than ¾ of an inch when you press down on it, then it is too loose and needs to be tightened.
What is the best way to maintain a furnace blower?
Find the lubrication ports on the motor and pulley and spurt a few drops of a non-de tergent oil into them. Do this before each season (heating or cooling) begins.
How to check if a fan pulley is in alignment?
To see if your motor and pulley are in alignment, first position a square adjacent to the outer faces of the two pulleys. If they are not in line, first make sure the motor is securely mounted. Loose motor mounting bolts can cause the motor to be out of alignment. You can tighten them with a wrench; if you pull back on the motor after tightening them slightly, you’ll add tension to the belt. Then you can tighten the bolts entirely and the belt will work properly in coordination with the fan. If it’s the pulley, use a hex wrench to loosen the setscrew so that you can move the pulley in and out.
What to do before tightening fan belt?
Before you start tightening the fan belt, you need to inspect and determine that it’s the cause of the squealing.
What to do if your HVAC belt is loose?
If the belt is in bad shape, contact an HVAC technician to replace it. If it’s just loose, you can go ahead and tighten it yourself.
How to loosen a furnace blower motor?
Use the two screws at the base or the side of your furnace blower motor. Turn them counterclockwise to loosen. This allows you to move the motor in the direction you want.
Why does my furnace make a squealing noise?
For the belt-driven furnace motors, the same squealing sound might arise if the belt is loose. This means that you’ll need to adjust the blower belt to reduce the noise and ensure smooth operation.
How does a furnace blower motor work?
Generally, the blower motor works by pushing warm air from your furnace into your home’s air ducts for distribution. For this reason, the blower motor ought to be adequately lubricated all the time. Also, it should be lubricated using the recommended lubricant to ensure proper function and enhanced performance.
Why does my furnace blower squeak?
Worn-out blower motor bearings are a major cause of the furnace blower squealing. This happens as the bearings wear out from the continuous friction of the blower motor during operation.
Why does my blower make a rattling noise?
A rattling noise can result from the balancing weights on the blower motor wheels being thrown off. These weights are for maintaining balance on the blower motor to allow it to run properly and efficiently.
How to check if furnace fan belt is working?
Find the motor mount on the furnace fan and look for the fan belt. Check and see how slack the fan is, this is normal for any fan belt with constant use.
How much flex should a fan belt have?
Use the ruler to check the tension or play of the fan belt. You should have a flex of ¾-inch on the fan belt.
How to loosen a nut on a motor?
Use the adjustable wrench to turn the nut counterclockwise, this will loosen the nut. Once you have loosened the nuts you will be able to move the motor back and forth.
Step 2 – Realign Motor and Pulley
- To see if your motor and pulley are in alignment, first position a square adjacent to the outer faces of the two pulleys. If they are not in line, first make sure the motor is securely mounted. Loose motor mounting bolts can cause the motor to be out of alignment. You can tighten them with a wrench; if you pull back on the motor after tightening th...
Step 3 – Change The Belt
- Check your blower belt to be sure it isn’t frayed or worn in any way. Belt-driven blower motors call for accurate belt tension to run properly. Keep one on hand in case you need to change it.
Step 4 – Oil The Blower
- Good maintenance on a furnace blower, whether it is a direct-drive motor or v-belt-and-pulley system, is always beneficial in avoiding malfunction. Find the lubrication ports on the motor and pulley and spurt a few drops of a non-detergent oil into them. Do this before each season (heating or cooling) begins.