Harman 1500 is complaining (blower squeal)

[rhetoric]

I have had a Harman 1500 (could be a 2500, but I don't think so) in my basement for 10 years, but only this year got it freshened up to burn coal. I have been learning alot -- still don't have it down perfectly, but I'm figuring it out. I already love the fact that, when running well, the entire house (close to 300 sq ft) AND the basement are warm. Ahhhhhh.

So last night I had it rip roaring (750 degrees on the front of the stove) and I heard the blower fan start to squeal something awful. I ran down and it seemed to be blowing fine and up to speed, but it was making the noise. I turned it up to high (it has a five position switch) and the squeal went away... for about 5 minutes!

So I waited till the stove cooled down and there doesn't seem to be any play in the squirrel cage and the fan isn't rubbing at all. Then I turned it the fan on 20 mins ago (it's running right now) and doesn't seem to be making any noise at all -- but, of course, there is no fire in the stove.

What thinkest, thou? The fan? The blower? Heat warping the housing (?!) Might a dying fan be susceptible to running poorly when it's hot? Anybody had something like this?

Thanks!
Paul

 

[__dan]

Squeal would be either belts or bearings. If it has fan belts, tighten belts or replace if cracked / damaged. If it's direct drive with the blower hanging on the motor shaft, buy a spare motor and change it when it either fails completely or you get tired of the noise.

 

[rhetoric]

Squeal would be either belts or bearings. If it has fan belts, tighten belts or replace if cracked / damaged. If it's direct drive with the blower hanging on the motor shaft, buy a spare motor and change it when it either fails completely or you get tired of the noise.

Thanks, Dan. I found oiler cups on the motor and the squeak went away... for about week or so. Then it started again, so I re-oiled. I'm probably delaying the inevitable, but it does tell me that it's the motor and not the fan, so that's good news.