hvac ?

[quackerback]

i think my condensor fan motor is bad. the fan will blow spin for a little bit then quit. it is making a humming sound and the top of the unit is hot. does anybody know how much it would cost for a hvac tech to change the motor out. i have found a motor online just have to check shipping on it. thanks i am in the ellis county area if yall think it makes a difference in prices.

[Loreva13]

Not sure how much it would cost over there but down here in El Paso if you buy the motor on your own it'll cost just labor which would be around 45 to 65 bucks to install.

[KZ]

may just be capacitor

[txoutdoorsman24]

to comfirm if the motor is bad do this. take a long stick or something that will fit. try and spin the blade. if it spins freely then no not hte fan. if it is a hard or does not spin easily then u have ur problem. could be a capacitor... but sounds like fan motor is bad to me. prob run u about 2-400 depending on the company. if u can get it urself, then by all means do it. three wires, four scews on the motor mounts, and a set screw to get he blade off. good luck to ya brotha

[Uncle Saggy]

If you can get the motor do it yourself...

[MDC]

If you can get the motor do it yourself...

X2, Way cheaper and easier than you think. I think I paid $150 for one in my old house.

[LWolken]

If you buy your own fan make sure its the same speed, same HP, same rotation or reverseable and get a dedicated capacitor for the new fan. Sand the shaft and spray with WD40 so it will slide off easier. Make sure you install the blade at the right height and depending if it is a upshaft or downshaft orientation make certain that you remove the correct drain plug in the new motor to allow condensate to drain out of the motor. Wash the condensing coil, after all it failed for a reason? Dirty coil? Bad bearing? If you don't fix the problem it will happen again.

[quackerback]

i went out and the fan spins with no problems. maybe it is the capacitor. it has not been changed in at least 5 years.

[LWolken]

Some times when the capacitor goes bad it will dome up on top. If the capicitor is out then the fan motor should spin start. Let the motor cool by pulling the disconnect after it cools to the touch turn on the disconnect and give the blade a good push with a stick. If she runs probably a bad cap but it could still be a dry bearing that takes awhile to heat up and drag. Best to check the cap with a meter and amp clamp the motor while running and compare to the label on the motor.

[quackerback]

the top of the capacitor looks domed. the ac has been off all night. i just went and turned it on and the fan came on. even when it is sticking and not turning, i can spin the fan freely. hopefully it is just the cap

[bentstk]

If you change the capacitor your self be sure and short across the terminals on the top where the wires attach with a screw driver or something before you touch it with your hand. It can still hold a charge. OH! be sure the power is off.