eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Fix a Blower on a Furnace

Contributor
By Michelle Kerns
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
A gas furnace.
A gas furnace.
radobson.com

The blower on a gas furnace is responsible for moving cold air past the furnace's heat exchanger, where it is heated, then into the main duct passages and throughout the house. A furnace that makes loud squeaks or grinding noises needs to have the blower motor repaired. Fixing the blower requires only a few items, and can be accomplished by do-it-yourselfers with only moderate home repair experience.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Soft, dry cloths
  • All-purpose oil
  • Straightedge
  • Open-end wrench
  • Replacement main drive belt (optional)
  • Ratchet wrench
  1. Step 1

    Turn off the furnace's power by shutting down its circuit at the main service panel. Remove the access panel that covers the blower motor. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the blower motor clean of dust and debris.

  2. Step 2

    Locate the blower motor's oil-fill ports. Many furnace access panels have diagrams showing the locations of the oil-fill ports on their inner surface. Take off the covers of the oil-fill ports and put several drops of all-purpose oil into each port. Replace the port covers.

  3. Step 3

    Hold a straightedge flush against the motor's flat sides and pulleys. Check that each of the blower motor's pulleys are straight and aligned properly.

  4. Step 4

    Align any pulleys that are not straight. Use an open-end wrench to loosen the mounting bolts located on the blower motor's sliding bracket. Move the motor until the pulleys are aligned properly. Re-tighten the mounting bolts.

  5. Step 5

    Check the blower motor's main drive belt. Replace the belt if it appears worn or cracked. Press down firmly on the main drive belt with your finger at a point midway between the pulleys. The belt should flex approximately 1 inch. If the belt flexes too much or too little, locate the adjustment bolt and tighten or loosen it with a ratchet wrench. The adjustment bolt is usually located on the blower motor's housing or mounting bracket.

  6. Step 6

    Re-attach the access panel and turn the furnace's power back on.

Tips & Warnings
  • Do not attempt to fix a furnace's blower without first turning power off at the main service panel.

References

Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Home & Garden Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden