Condense spinning slowly and whining

[jumbojak]

On Sunday morning I was woken up by the sound of our AC unit. I turned the unit off as quickly as I could but couldn't investigate further until this morning. The noise is a loud, high pitched, whining noise and the condenser fan comes on but turns very slowly.

The capacitor was changed two years ago and I don't think a failing capacitor would cause the symptoms we have, would it? Is the next step to check the fan itself to see if it's a bad bearing or do I need to go in another direction?

This isn't an immediate issue because I bought a big window unit as a temporary fix on Sunday morning but I would like to get the central unit fixed and hopefully move the window unit to the shop. It gets hot in Virginia.

 

[The Cobbler]

sounds like the fan motor bearings

 

[jumbojak]

Yep, that's exactly what it is. The farmer in me wants to pop that sucker open to see if I can replace the bearings... but the rational part of my brain says not to try fixing any more rusty **** than I already have to.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The compressor is blowing off the internal relief valve. Shut if off until you get the condenser fan motor fixed. It will eventually damage the compressor if you let it keep running that way.

Tommy

 

[ash57man]

I had that same problem with my 30 year old A/C unit, took the motor apart and check internal parts for being burnt, found the armature was binding and just replaced the bushing/bearings found on Ebay for $10.00. Before that I took the motor to a reputable repair shop looking for the parts and was told I was just wasting my time. The same size air conditioner costs at least 500.00 and I was thinking should I replace or repair too. Works great now, should last another 10 years.