On Thu, 04 Jun 2015 13:30:53 -0600, Tony Hwang
wrote:

KenK wrote:
Oren wrote in news:lvrrma15uushkangu1a3cvavurv6eui50k@
4ax.com:

On 2 Jun 2015 17:42:17 GMT, KenK wrote:

My swamp (evaporative) cooler makes noises after it
has been run a week or so every year. A buzzing
noise. I can quiet it by pressing firmly on the front
inside grill/panel towards the bottom. I tried adding
soft washers under the four corner screws fastening
this grill last year but it didn't help. I'm not sure
whether the grill is causing the noise because it has
a mounting problem or, more likely, the blower is
vibrating and causing it to buzz. Just yesterday I
tried lubing the blower bearings again (after
prepping it for the summer a month or two ago) but no
help. I can't see anything obvious causing the
problem. The belt looks ok. This cooler is only a few
years old - third season I think, maybe fourth.

Can anyone give me any ideas on how to chase this
down?

TIA

I'd check _every_ fastener on the entire unit; ensuring they are
tight. "Buzzing" makes me think of the motor as opposed to 'vibrating
of the metal covering the blower.

Well, I gathered my stethoscope, screwdrivers, nutdrivers and step stool
and turned it on. You'll never guess, in a million years, what happened
next!

Tada!

Cooler ran very quietly. Let it run a half an hour. Still no buzz. Tried
a few of your suggestions anyhow.

Motor mounts very tight. With stethoscope motor just hums.

Also check the tension on the belt.

Normal - a bit of slack.

Don't over tighten it. The belt needs a little wiggle so not to wear
the pulley bearing.


Put stethoscope everywhere I could think of. No unexpected noise.

I'll try again tomorrow. Hope its as cool - high 90s - then. I'm sure it
will go back to buzzing later today.

Did find poor water flow to the pads - a couple of lines were just
dripping. Will switch to a new pump tomorrow too.

sigh I'm sure other people never have such problems.


Bad motor can buzz.

That is my thoughts. They may often fail, exposed to moisture, with
hard water mineral deposits. They fail earlier than normal. I think.

A 'buzz" and "vibrations" sound different to me.