Replacing a fan on a window AC

[branimal]

My AC in my workspace wasn't cooling so I brought it to my work bench and started inspecting it. I turned it on with the cover off and it started working fine.

I think the A/c was tilted back too far and that was causing some issues. My workbench is flat and the AC was humming along.

I noticed the condensate was pooling up in the A/c unit so without TURNING IT OFF I put a glass under where the drip was coming from. The A/c fan smacked the glass and my finger and two fan blades broke right off. Finger was cut up but not too bad.

I found the replacement part .... $50 with shipping. How hard is it going to be to replace the fan.

It looks like the phillips screws holding the unit to the cover are rusted bad. Meaning I can't even see the phillips star head. And part of the cooling coil looks like it needs to be detached to replace the fan.

Anyone have any experience replacing fans on these type of A/c's.

 

[fitter30]

Condenser coil has to come loose to be moved out of the way to remove blade. Middle pic is that plastic fan shroud cracked up? Get the blade off first to see exactly what you have to see if $50 blade is worth it.

 

[Jim greengo]

Might as well clean both coils while you're in there.

 

[southalabama]

I’d just replace the ac.

 

[The Cobbler]

agree with an above poster ... I'd dive into it and see how easily you get it apart , then go from there if yah or nah to ordering the fan

 

[bonneyman]

There's probably a couple of screws holding the condenser coil/baffle plate. Once those are removed you have to GENTLY move the coil assembly out of the way while bending the connecting copper tubing. Once you've moved it enough to access the fan blade you can swap it out and then GENTLY move the coil back into place. Worse case scenario is a tube kinks and you have to cut that piece out and repair it. You can then add valve access and maybe add some oil enhancer, as the comps in window shakers tend to run hot and are thus hard on their oil.
If you don't want to do all that save the unit for parts. Small compressors are great to have around for use on other window units or Macgyver cooling projects.

 

[branimal]

Got the a/c apart. I slide the condenser coil/baffle plate to the side as @bonneyman suggested.

I pulled the spring clip off the fan blade, but I'm not sure how to pull the fan blade off. I tried some gentle persuasion, but that didn't work. I didn't want to go gorilla on it. Any suggestions?

The fan shroud looks to be in decent shape.

 

[bonneyman]

It's a "press fit", so any kind of cheap puller should pluck it off. Or - because it wasted anyway - get a tight area hacksaw and cut through the hub to the shaft to release the tension, and it should pull right off. Just don't damage the shaft if you can help it.

 

[branimal]

It's a "press fit", so any kind of cheap puller should pluck it off. Or - because it wasted anyway - get a tight area hacksaw and cut through the hub to the shaft to release the tension, and it should pull right off. Just don't damage the shaft if you can help it.

Hacksawed it out. I think I can reinstall a new fan. $50 shipped.

For a 10k btu a/c I think it's worth the risk.

Thanks for the help.

 

[American Locomotive]

Definitely clean the coil.

 

[bonneyman]

Cool!

Please post the end result when you get it running, and tell us how it's working. I'd really like to see it doing well for you!

 

[branimal]

Cool!

Please post the end result when you get it running, and tell us how it's working. I'd really like to see it doing well for you!

Got the replacement fan blade. I'm lining up the flat part of the spindle on the motor with the flat part on the fan blade. It's not going in easily. Is it safe to lube it with some soapy water?

 

[Jim greengo]

Clean up the shaft with some sand paper,maybe hit it with some wd40.
It should be a tight fit.

 

[branimal]

Clean up the shaft with some sand paper,maybe hit it with some wd40.
It should be a tight fit.

I was worried the wd40 might corrode the plastic.

 

[The Cobbler]

sand or polish the shaft up as the rust makes the OD larger
heat the fan in hot water maybe? I might try some loctite on the shaft as a lube

 

[Jim greengo]

I was worried the wd40 might corrode the plastic.

I spray plastic bushings with it all the time.

 

[rawen2]

Just a heads up. Loctite will attack some plastics. Read the label first.
I've never seen WD40 hurt any kind of plastic I've used it on.

 

[bonneyman]

Unless it has a spring clamp, friction pressure is all that is holding it on the shaft. So it should be tight. Clean the shaft of any rust and dirt - try not to remove any metal.

Yeah, they can be finicky to get on. Push too hard and risk breaking something. Not hard enough and it'll laugh at you without moving a millimeter. It's because of this kind of touchy procedures that many A/C techs won't touch window shakers. "Not worth fixing - I can just sell you a new one"!

 

[PoorUB]

It's because of this kind of touchy procedures that many A/C techs won't touch window shakers. "Not worth fixing - I can just sell you a new one"!

Most AC techs ask about $100 per hour and markup on parts. Is the used 10K window AC worth $200? Probably not.

 

[branimal]

Sanded off the spindle, sprayed it with pb blaster and used a small block and a hammer to seat the fan blade. Put the spring clamp back on.

It’s working pretty good.

It’s blowing 55*.

Thanks for the help guys!!

 

[The Cobbler]

GJ user rescues another item
good on you!

 

[bonneyman]

Most AC techs ask about $100 per hour and markup on parts. Is the used 10K window AC worth $200? Probably not.

Agreed, but new window units are cheap Chinese pieces of wonton that typically last only a year or two. Then it's buy a new one.

 

[Jim greengo]

I dont think I've torn down a window ac in the last 20 years,back when they were big ol heavy assed 240v r22 monsters!
I dont miss those days.