Screeching AC Unit 2004 Minnie Winnie 24F

[knitsalot]

Hi all,

I have a 2004 Minnie Winnie 24F. The AC has just started this awful screeching noise when it turns on. Once it's on and running, it sounds fine and the air is good and cold. It's just the start-up that sounds like it's killing something.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Note that I'm not mechanically inclined and I live in the rig full-time in NC, so I can't be without AC.

Thanks!

Sue

 

[Morich]

Two things come to mind, both possibly a thing to fix?
There may be a blower fan (squirrel cage?) that is loose on it's shaft and as it starts, the shaft turns more that the cage to make a loud noise. Then as the fan gradually pick up speed to match the shaft, the noise stops as the cage is no longer slipping on the shaft?
OR
The cage may be getting some slop in the movement and it may be riding over against the other metal around it but move into the right place as the fan begins to pick up more air and that makes it shift?
OR worst case?
Maybe the bearings on the shaft are gone too far?

I might say to look at the fan and you ay be able to spot something getting loose or some slack where it can move too much?

Bummer is they both need somebody on the roof to take a look!

Caution to not turn the AC on /off and on too soon but let it bleed off some of the high pressure after stop and before trying to start again too soon. Harder for the compressor to restart when there is too high pressure already there. Best to wait 5-10 minutes to avoid tripping breaker, etc.

Funny on the name?
https://libertysupply.com/blogs/hvac-news/squirrel-cage-fan

 

[knitsalot]

Thanks you for those ideas Richard!

I'm voting for the squirrel cage options. I don't mind getting up on the roof if I need to. Is it easy to get to the squirrel cage? Will I need someone in the rig to turn the AC on when I've got the shroud off (assuming I can figure out how to do that!)?

Thanks also for the info on turning the AC on and off - I had no idea!

Funny about the name - I assumed it was a protective cage to keep the little critters from getting in. The actual reason is much more fun.

Sue

 

[Morich]

Yes, a second to turn it on while you are there is likely as starting it and then going up may find the noise is already stopped and then you can't work on it as it is moving.
But it may be true that you can turn the power off to make sure it doesn't start at the wrong time or you get shocked, then go up and look it over.
Hard to say what is needed until you can get a look!
When you finally get to the blower fan, it is possible you can see one edge rubbing at one end. I am thinking of the fan on a shaft and there may be something as simple as a bolt screwed in to fit against the shaft. If that bolt thing it loose it may let the cage slide to close to one side?
Or the cage and shaft both may be loose enough to slide over against something.

Turning the fan by hand, may let you see a place where one metal is rubbing on the other. If it moves that much, you may need to just go straight to moving it to the right position without having to turn it on and hear it??

Maybe look for places where the metal is wearing against each other?

But considering how much trouble it is to get on and off the roof, a helper is a good idea!

 

[wahoonc]

Hi all,

I have a 2004 Minnie Winnie 24F. The AC has just started this awful screeching noise when it turns on. Once it's on and running, it sounds fine and the air is good and cold. It's just the start-up that sounds like it's killing something.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Note that I'm not mechanically inclined and I live in the rig full-time in NC, so I can't be without AC.

Thanks!

Sue

I would guess that one of the fans is slipping on the shaft. Do you know what type of AC you have?

The cover is fairly easy to remove to see what is going on.

You will need a second person to fire it up while you are on the roof watching or a long extension cord that you can plug in while on the roof.

Aaron

 

[creativepart]

We had an A/C unit that did this same thing. I went up to the roof, removed the 4-screws on top of the shroud covering the A/C, put some 3-IN-1 machine oil on the fan bearing and the noise stopped.

I was sure it was a temporary fix that would last a short while until a more expensive fix was needed but it never returned and was squeak free for years.

Just lucky I guess.

 

[knitsalot]

Thanks y'all. My helper is currently working at the US Open and it's beastly hot here, so I'm going to hold off going up onto the roof until the temps cool down. The sound hasn't happened again. It happened after I went and dumped my tanks, so maybe there was enough jostling around on the drive back that it put something out of position, and now it's put itself back where it belongs. I'll still take a look in a few days. I'll take note of the model # then (I know it's a Dometic, but nothing more than that).

 

[knitsalot]

I've finally gotten up on the roof but can't remove the AC hood because of the 4 screws, one is stripped and one just won't turn. I've got to get someone with more hand strength than me to undo it.

While I was up there, I took a look around and noticed that there appears to be an open pipe that I'm guessing needs a lid on it. I've attached a photo of it. I just looked through the parts list for this rig and didn't see it called out anywhere. Any idea what it is?

And it also looks like I've got a crack in the cover for the bathroom skylight. Oh joy. Winnebago wants over $600 for it. Eek. Is there any way to repair it?

Thank you!

 

[creativepart]

That looks like a plumbing vent pipe and it does need a cover ASAP. You might need to know all the sizing details and if not just replace the whole thing. Here what you're looking for (i'm not sure of sizing)

https://www.amazon.com/Danco-88181-Plastic-Mobile-Plumbing/dp/B00EA084PY

As fr the skylight... you can cover the crack with Eternabond tape for now. To find a cheaper replacement just do a google search. There is also a company that stocks skylights and will even custom make one if you give them all the dimensions. https://www.icondirect.com/skylights/ They are much cheaper. Y

ou might need help to remove and replace the skylight. Get a mobile tech to come to you for the installation and they can remove the A/C screws and lubricate the fan bearings.

Lastly, you should have the roof inspected for other sealing problems and have it washed and UV protected. There are RV Roof cleaners that can do both tasks at once:

https://www.amazon.com/303-Motorhome-Rubber-Roof-Cleaner/dp/B0971PCCDK

 

[Morich]

That can take a bit of looking but seems to be a kind of "standard" issue?
got the part number from the plumbing parts here:
https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Service/wincd/2004/4wf324f.pdf
Under water and sewer group listing.
Click these snips for better view!

That seems to be the correct Winnebago part number and you might order it from dealers.

But there are times like this when I like to look at options that let me avoid the question of ordering and finding it not right, leaving me to return, etc, etc. that I hate!
This looks very much like a standard Ventline brand which comes up when I do a search of the Winnebago part number! I suspect they are the same and likely the Ventline is cheaper as well as something I might find local to avoid the shopping/return if not right!
Maybe this is it and might be found at Wall-mart or other local?


Or for the diehard Amazon user!!!
You can always pay a bit more and get their "FREE" shipping! My question is whether it is free if I have to pay more to get it???


Lots of options to let you think it over for the next trip to the roof! It does have some small potential to let water go in around the pipe and eventually that is going to cause trouble but not an emergency issue!

 

[knitsalot]

You guys are great, thanks!

I called a Winnebago dealer and they'll send out the part tomorrow - I decided to order it direct from them since they would know what was right for my rig. I should be fine unless it rains, and the weather looks clear for the next week. I'll have to take the existing sealant off the roof and reseal it, which I've never done. That should be a fun adventure, and it'll be a good thing to learn. I need to get a heat gun. Is a mini heat gun (350W) good enough for this, or should I go with a 1500W one?

I think I've got some eternabond tape, so I'll run a small piece crosswise at the widest part of the crack to hopefully pull it in (like a butterfly bandage), then run a strip the length of the skylight. Thanks creativepart for the link.

The roof was nice and clean less than a year ago, and it had just been resealed and looked really good. I live in the land of pine trees, so it gets dirty easily. The owner's manual says to not wash the RV in direct sunlight or when the surface is hot. I don't mind trying to do that myself, but it's going to be difficult where I live in the summer. Maybe early in the morning.

This repair stuff is intimidating, but I put a new radiator in my car last summer (when I'd never done ANYthing on my car before), so as long as it doesn't require big muscles and a lot of know-how, I think I can do it. Plus, there's YouTube!

Thanks again!

Sue

 

[Morich]

Sounds good on getting it direct as a way to cut the odds of mismatched things!
And that may bring up a different idea on the cure??
If you get a part which is a match for what was there before, I would consider if it is necessary to change out the base with the added difficulty of working to get it off and then reseal the new?
If the new matches well, perhaps look at just changing out the upper part and leaving the base as is? What I think I see is there is a screw left and some small bits of the plastic still on the old base?? Possible to take that screw out , add the new cap and screw it down? I think the cap slips down on the upright parts and then the screw keeps it from backing off, so maybe just snap a new cap on?
I think of those being lost when we drive under a tree, etc. and it gets ripped off the top!
But that also means you may want to reseal the sealer around the base? does it look like it has broken loose from sealing to the roof to let water in or still good seal?

Suggestion to consider on tools? When owning an RV, the caulk and sealers are a frequent thing to check and redo, so having good tools may be important. Putting the new on is not too tough but it can be bad getting the old off without killing ourselves or gouging holes in the fiberglass or metal of the RV.
Think pressing hard to get something like a putty knife under the seal and then slipping? Lots of arm work and possibly gouging things!

My tool for removing sealers is something like this:
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-amp...qIe12rHz1zvA4BqAfPQY_b6kEyaxzPgBoCqDcQAvD_BwE
I think I got my last one from Wal-mart at about the same price and it seems to be lasting as well as the first $90 I got as a gift!
There are dozens of uses with different blades to cut or sand, etc. but the thing I like is it makes thousands of tiny moves of the blade back and forth to we can or saw stuff without worry about losing a finger. The thing won't hardly cut flesh as it moves such a short distance before heading the other way! If you press on your hand, the flesh just kind of wiggles with the blade!

On hard stuff like caulk, it speeds things up so much and takes so little effort that I love it! With taking thousands of tiny bites, we don't have to lean on it so hard and slips are not a problem.
Maybe take a look at one in a shop and have them plug it in to see what you think?
Not everybody likes what I like!!

 

[7997redtail]

There is a company in eastern Canada/USA that sells these skylights way cheaper. Be careful on your measurements to include rooms for overlap and screws etc.

I bought one but have been injured so I have not put it up yet. However it looks like good quality. I just looked it up. I think it’s icondirect.com

BTW, I asked the local rv repair how much he would charge to put it in and his reply was $200cdn per foot.

 

[knitsalot]

Update! I was out Friday night, and came home to no AC. I opened up all of the windows and managed to make it at least bearable overnight, then made a few phone calls this morning. I found a new local RV repair guy, and he put in a used motor and got my AC back up and running. He'd thought he would have to replace it (about $1700 all in), but it cost me about $134.

And while he was at it, for an extra $10, he put a cap on the vent stack and repaired the skylight crack with sealant.

A lot of answered prayers today! Once again, thank you all for your time in responding to my concerns! I'm happy to have found a reliable repair guy who also keeps an eye on helping me save money.

Sue

 

[7997redtail]

Don’t you love it when no plan works out?

Glad your doing well.

 

[knitsalot]

Yep, good planning on God's part. Love watching him work.