Condenser Unit Noise

[justsam]

Condenser is about a 5 year old 5 ton Bryant. Compressor, made by LG, was replaced in first year of operation but other wise unit has been fine and really sees light usage as I am in Sonoma County area.

Noise is vibration induced. I can push down on top of unit in one corner and make it go away, but I just cannot locate the source. It is NOT the top grill which also mounts the fan, nor does the fan seem excessively out of balance. It must be something internal as I have looked all around the grided perimeter and can not locate it, yet bearing down on the top in one corner does make it go away.

Any hints on where to look before I take the case all apart and reassemble?

 

[4x4Petr]

Sometimes a balance weight on the fan blade can move or fall off completely. I would check this first. Maybe assembly screws or compressor bolts have become loose and you're getting rattles now. I have found rattles from the fan cage where it touches the casing. It's annoying I know. Good luck.

 

[bazar01]

Check the refrigerant copper lines and service valves making contact somewhere on the metal casing or loose metal screws on the grills.

 

[acmikee]

if its not the top of the unit and it goes away when you put weight on it does it have worn or none isolation (rubber) pads under the unit.

 

[fitter30]

If you thinks its coming from the compressor it can be covered with a heavy rubber it gets it's cooling from the refrigerant not the fan. Is your condenser coil clean? If its a fined coil after turning off power, wash both directions, if it looks like a porcupine use hose without a nozzle or else could flatten tines.

 

[Jim greengo]

I'd start with the motor and mounts 1st,then fan blade.