When the airflow is restricted, the furnace must work overtime to heat your home, leading to overheating. In severe cases, the excessive strain on the furnace can cause the blower motor to catch fire. This risk is exacerbated if the furnace continues to run with a blocked filter for an extended period.
Some of the reasons a blower motor might fail are overheating, and excessive moisture. When dust, dirt, and debris build up, it can cause the windings and bearings to burn up more quickly.
A motor can run hot even if all of the electrical requirements for it are in spec, it can run hot if it moves too much air or if it moves too little air. Too much air being too much load and too little air not being enough air to cool it as it is air cooled.
The blower resistor and wiring is right there next to the blower and may be what is smoking. I recommend checking the blower wiring and check resistor and wiring to see if something is shorted out.
Blower motors are designed to last just as long as your furnace itself, anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Just as with any HVAC system, the better maintained and serviced your equipment is by experienced HVAC technicians the longer it will last and the fewer repairs you'll face.
Overheating. Blowers with worn-out parts are more prone to overheating. This can damage other components in the system, and it can even be a fire hazard if it's not addressed.
Overheating is one of the most frequent occurrences that can render the blower motor inoperative. If the motor has overheated, it may shut itself down to prevent damage. You should keep your HVAC clean and clear of any blockages or debris to avoid overheating and maintain efficiency.
Electrical Burning Odor
Blower motors commonly overheat due to clogged air filters. Check yours, and if it's disgusting swap it out and let the blower motor cool off for a short time before turning the system back on. Under normal operating conditions, your system should shut itself off if it begins to overheat.
Weak or Absent Airflow
Weak airflow or total lack of it is the most obvious sign of a bad blower motor. The problem could be due to a clogged blower from accumulated dust or debris. It could also be due to leaky air ducts or a bad capacitor.
White Smoke
It usually means that coolant is being burned in the engine, which means that something is drastically wrong. The most common cause of this is a blown head gasket, which can quickly lead to an overheating engine.
Make sure the motor isn't getting too warm to the touch – Some motors just get old and dirty. If the blower gets too hot, it can lock up and stop spinning or still spin but have an open winding inside the motor that doesn't allow the circuit to be complete.
Faulty Blower Motor
If your blower motor is experiencing some issues, you may hear a high-pitched squeal or whistling sound. You may also experience rattling and loud screeching noises. The motor blower pushes warm air out of the furnace through the ducts into your home.
Your blower motor may show these signs when it starts to overheat: A hot or burning smell as your units operate. It is usually followed by the complete furnace shut-off. Loud humming noise and other odd sounds.
What Can Cause a Blower Motor to Overheat? If the internal parts of the furnace are coated with dirt and dust, it can easily cause the blower motor to get too hot.
If your motor's electrics and bearings are constantly exposed to too much heat, then they will begin to fail. If you let your motor overheat repeatedly and fail, then either a component has broken or a bearing has seized.To prevent overheating, check your vents, filters, and in-room airflow.
The reasons causing a motor to overheat are varied. These include improper wiring, loose connections, or undersized line sizes causing a voltage drop at the motor.
Causes of blower fan burnout include: Windings that have deteriorated. Bearings that have seized after running out of oil. Extreme static pressure.
When the airflow is restricted, the furnace must work overtime to heat your home, leading to overheating. In severe cases, the excessive strain on the furnace can cause the blower motor to catch fire. This risk is exacerbated if the furnace continues to run with a blocked filter for an extended period.
Key Takeaways. Furnace blower motors typically last 10 to 20 years, with regular maintenance significantly extending their lifespan.
Cars are designed with a variety of electrical elements, including the battery and alternator. If your car smells like burning electrical or like it's burning under the hood, this could be the cause. If the check engine light comes on while it smells like burning, the spark plugs could be the problem.
Replacing a furnace blower motor costs $560, on average. Depending on the size and type of motor, most people pay $300 to $900. The average blower motor replacement cost is $560, but the final price depends on labor fees, as well as the cost of the parts.
More specifically, systems that include blower motors have a lifespan of roughly: Air-Source Heat Pumps: 10 to 12 years, with a maximum of 15 years or more. Furnaces: 10 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules. DX Air Conditioners: 15 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules and manufacturer quality.
Replacing the blower motor is likely the best decision if your furnace is under warranty or relatively new. It might be better to replace the furnace if it's old or has a lot of issues that require frequent repairs. On average, a new blower motor costs $300 to $900.