A/C Fan Rubbing

HikerBob · 02-05-2018, 07:58 PM

Our Rockwood MiniLite ETC has a Coleman Mach3Plus A/C, apparently sold by Airxcel RV Products Division. Something appears to have shifted and the fan is rubbing against something in the low fan and low cool settings. The rubbing goes away at the high settings. If anyone has advice on how to correct this I would very much appreciate any help I can get, especially from someone who has encountered the same problem or who is an expert on the subject.

SeaDog · 02-06-2018, 07:32 AM

Expert on the subject may be a stretch but this problem can happen when a fan housing has shifted slightly or the fan bushings become worn. on low the fan blade may rub on high there is enough thrust on the blade to move it away from what it is touching. You'll have to take the outside cover off the unit and either adjust the fan on the motor shaft or adjust the fan shroud away from the blades sightly if you can. Let the forum know what you do to fix the problem.

**Bama Rambler** · 02-06-2018, 08:31 AM

I'm not sure that it's your problem, but Coleman had a problem with some of the plastic blower wheels. As Seadog said, You'll need to take the unit apart enough to see what the problem is.

Can you tell if it's the evaporator (inside) or condenser (outside) fan making the noise?

rockfordroo · 02-06-2018, 09:09 AM

It's not difficult to remove the AC cover and see what's going on. Just a PITA working on the roof, especially on a hot day.

HikerBob · 02-06-2018, 02:17 PM

Thanks folks. I'll get on it this afternoon or tomorrow morning, as I have to go to work now. I think it's the evaporator (squirrel cage fan) by the sounds of it. I'll let you know what I find.

rockfordroo · 02-06-2018, 02:41 PM

FYI. There's one motor with a fan on each end.

**Flybob** · 02-06-2018, 02:53 PM

Occasionally you will get foreign material ( mud dabber nest or leaves) in there and they can cause the sound. Once you remove the cover, I would check for foreign items before moving to any further disassembly.

HikerBob · 02-08-2018, 10:16 AM

Thanks to all who offered advice on my A/C fan rubbing at low speeds problem. Yes there is one motor that turns both the condenser fan blade and the evaporator squirrel cage fan. The problem was the latter and was caused by the loosening of the clamp that held that fan onto the motor shaft. The cheap clamp was striped and I'm sure after five years and a few bumps and jumps it failed to do its job. I replaced it with a hose clamp, but had to cut my right angle screwdriver in half in order to tighten it. When there's a will there's always a way! Getting to the fan was not easy, as the condenser radiator was the last thing they installed, and getting to the screws to release the motor assembly mounting bracket took some finagling. I managed to only crumple a few of the fins on the condenser radiator. All is good now, so thanks again to all of you who offered suggestions. Sorry, I didn't take pictures.

5picker · 02-08-2018, 10:44 AM

Glad you got it squared away and thanks for posting back.

rockfordroo · 02-08-2018, 01:20 PM

You might want to get a radiator comb at an auto parts place and straighten out the fins.

These things need all the help they can get to keep you cool!!

HikerBob · 02-08-2018, 01:40 PM

I didn't know such things existed; thanks, I'll see if my local auto parts store has one.

Johnfort · 02-14-2018, 07:13 PM

They are great to straighten fins after a hail storm too.

Iwannacamp · 02-14-2018, 09:06 PM

Harbor freight used to have them. They are called fin combs. Any a/c supply will have one....there is always amazon.

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