Attic fan making a high pictch squeal

[Martin Hirsch]

Hi

I had an attic fan installed about five years ago when I had the new roof put on. I picked it up from Home Depot for the roofers to install. The fan worked fine all this time but started making a very annoying sound. It works on a thermostat and set to come on at 100 degrees. I also installed an override switch in the hallway to shut off the fan.

My question is can just the motor be swapped out. I don't want to change the whole unit and mess with the roof tile. I went to HD and they do not sell motor assemblies. Any ideas where this item can be purchased.

Thanks, Martin

[Art]

Before you do that, check for places to oil on it. Some motors still take oiling. Would be best you had the instructions. If you think you are going to have to dump it any way, I would spray the heck out of it with WD40 and hope a seized bearing starts turning again. I did that once and the fan was like new for at least 5 more years till I moved. Also those fans may be a waste of money. RIdge vents are better. Attic fans suck the ac out of your house.

[m Ransley]

use oil not Wd 40 , wd doesnt last and washes away oil, its mainly a solvent

[TURTLE]

This is Turtle.

Look I can buy the replacement motors for the roof vent fans and you can go buy a new complete fan for about what I can buy just the motor for. Buy a new fan for about $29.00 to $49.00 and take the parts off it to put on the old one.

Now do look for oil holes on the motor to oil it and it will keep going and work fine. They recommend 20 or 30 weight plain motor oil to oil it with.

TURTLE

[Joseph Meehan]

Is this a whole house fan or does it just vent the area under the roof?

If it has a belt, it may be telling you it needs a new belt.

[Joseph Meehan]

One additional note. In most situations I suggest good passive venting is far better and more reliable than power venting.

[Art]

Just thought I would add that when I put in a fan in my previous house (something I would never recommend and never do again) I found most of them had small crummy motors but Sears had 2 models and one was 3 times bigger than anything else on the market. DOn't have the house any more and don't know the exact sizes involved but he should take a look at what he has before buying a generic replacement. Might not fit.

go buy a new complete fan for about what I can buy just the

it to put on the old one.

and work fine. They recommend 20 or 30 weight plain motor

[jim]

you probably went to the wrong home depot.. the one i go to has two replacement motors for the ventilators they sell... or you can look up the manufacture in the web and go to their web page and get a 1`-800- number and call them up to order a new motor via the credit card

[Stormin Mormon]

Call a heating guy, and tell him what's going on. He (she?) oughta be able to oil the berrings for you.

WD-40 doesn't last very long, there is special oil made for electric motors.

[Michael Nickolas]

I did this exactly. Mine made the same noises. I contacted the manufacturer and they sent a replacement motor, even though it was slightly out of warrantee. Been working fine since...

Michael Nickolas