- Model Number
- FAS257S2A
- Brand
- Frigidaire
I hate that everything seems to be made more and more throwaway these days and I guess window AC units, even larger and more costly ones, are basically made to be trashed. I have a couple 25,000 BTU units. Both use the same compressor and fan motor although the model of the units varies slightly and there are minor variances in the controls and cosmetics of the units. I have replaced run capacitors in both units as well when the compressors started to exhibit hard-start problems (humming and tripping breakers, etc.). This solved that problem and these units are both over 10 years old so I am guessing I have met or exceeded their design life, being consumer grade appliances.
The fan motor on one has started to sound somewhat gravelly so I assume that means the bearings are nearing the end of their life. They are sealed with no oil ports. Everything is still working but I figure this thing is going to give it up one of these days. Odds are the sound will just get worse until it stops or I get sick of hearing it. It isn't really anything big right now and isn't even annoying. It is just that I can tell it is getting a tad noisier. Is there anything I can do to extend the life of this motor? It has been suggested that I take a hyperdermic needle and inject a small quantity of oil through the bearing seals. I could access one bearing but the other would pretty much require disassembly of the entire unit to access.
It looks like a new fan motor would cost about half of a new unit. There is no way I would do this, especially on a unit this old, considering something else might not be far behind. I would also be concerned about damaging something else, especially with all the plastic parts now old and brittle.
I am assuming the answer everyone will give me is to just run the unit until failure and then replace it. Should I keep any spare parts for the other unit when it dies or just scrap the entire thing? I figure I am best to just start over new if the fan motor stops.
Conor
The fan motor on one has started to sound somewhat gravelly so I assume that means the bearings are nearing the end of their life. They are sealed with no oil ports. Everything is still working but I figure this thing is going to give it up one of these days. Odds are the sound will just get worse until it stops or I get sick of hearing it. It isn't really anything big right now and isn't even annoying. It is just that I can tell it is getting a tad noisier. Is there anything I can do to extend the life of this motor? It has been suggested that I take a hyperdermic needle and inject a small quantity of oil through the bearing seals. I could access one bearing but the other would pretty much require disassembly of the entire unit to access.
It looks like a new fan motor would cost about half of a new unit. There is no way I would do this, especially on a unit this old, considering something else might not be far behind. I would also be concerned about damaging something else, especially with all the plastic parts now old and brittle.
I am assuming the answer everyone will give me is to just run the unit until failure and then replace it. Should I keep any spare parts for the other unit when it dies or just scrap the entire thing? I figure I am best to just start over new if the fan motor stops.
Conor