Blower Systems Troubleshooting

Top 5 Troubleshooting Issues for Blower Systems
inohva.com/top-5-troubleshooting-issues-for-blower-systems/
22 March In Blower Maintenance, Blower Repair by Chanelle Boucher Tags: airflow,

blower repair, blower system, blower system oil, compressor impeller, drive coupling,
PD blower, replacement filter element, troubleshooting, v-belt drive tension
Even with perfect maintenance and perfect conditions, a blower system can have its ups
and downs. Here are five of the most common issues experienced in the field. Before
doing any inspection, make sure to turn the power off and wait for the unit to stop
completely.
Cause #1: Blower Failure To Rotate
This could be from rust in the blower impeller

chamber, the motor winding could be damaged, or
there could be improper wiring connections within
the motor itself.
If there’s rust in the blower, then it’s time for a good

cleaning. Turn off the power, remove it from the
system, and clean the impeller chamber. Reminder:
whenever a blower is disassembled, whether for a
deep clean or an inspection, manufacturers always
recommend that the bearings, seals, and gaskets be
replaced. This is to ensure optimum reassembly and
efficiency. Overhaul kits for each size and line of
blower are available (there are exceptions, of course,
for blowers that are obsolete or very old).
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If the motor winding is damaged, a qualified electrician should inspect the motor for
damage and an assessment can go from there. This goes for having improper wiring
connections within the motor itself. When in doubt, call the manufacturer of your
blower system to see if they have a cut sheet on the motor or if they can get some insight
from the motor manufacturer.
Cause #2: No airflow.
A few probable causes include: broken belts or broken drive coupling, blower isn’t
turning, or a pipe leak.
The most obvious solution for broken belts or a broken drive coupling is to simply
replace it. But make sure that with belts the tensioning is correct. Belts that are too
tightly strung or too loosely strung can snap or flap around and cause the pulleys to not
rotate, hence the lack of air flow.
If the blower isn’t turning, double check your check valve to see if it’s missing or if it’s
failed. Your check valve is designed to allow air to flow in one singular direction, not
both. If it’s missing or not working properly, that can be a contributing factor.
A pipe leak could mean a loose connection somewhere or that a gasket needs to be
replaced. Double check all your connections and if your gaskets haven’t been changed
in a long while, a replacement may be in your future.
Cause #3: Blower Exceeds Maximum Vibration
Any number of things could cause this

issue from a loose mounting, to bolts
failure, loose sheaves in the v-belt drive,
foundation base is too loose, insufficient
v-belt tension. The list goes on.
When your system is vibrating, turn off

the power and inspect all of the bolts,
double check the foundation base, and
check the tension on the v-belt drive. If
the sheaves on the v-belt drive are loose
then make sure they are installed
according to your O&M manual and make sure your blower is running at the correct
speed. If you no longer have that manual, call the manufacturer of your system and they
should be able to provide it. Double check the tensioning of the v-belts on the v-belt
drive. As noted before, if they’re too loose or too tight then they can flap around
aimlessly or snap; not only does this cause vibration but it can prevent airflow all
together.
Cause #4: Excessive Blower Temperature
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Each blower has a temperature minimum and maximum. If it operates outside those
restrictions, then your efficiency goes down and you run the risk of ruining the blower.
As with the other common problems, this one is caused by any number of things: too
much oil in the gear case, too low operating speed, dirty air filter, worn impeller, inlet
air flow restricted.
If your blower has too much oil in the gear case, make sure the unit has come to a
complete stop and then drain the oil level to the specified amount. Side note, if your
blower is low on oil or has been running with that batch of oil for longer than the
recommended hours, a full oil flush to replace the old oil will aid in lengthening the
lifetime of your blower. If you’re transitioning from a mineral based oil to a synthetic or
vice versa, make sure that the original oil has not only fully drained but also that the
new oil flushes out the old oil completely. When these oils mix in a running blower,
their formulas break down which causes damage to the blower.
If your blower is operating at too low of a speed, it will create inefficient conditions and
cause your blower to work harder than if it ran at optimal speed for the system’s design.
Increase the blower speed according to the system design and that should alleviate
temperature.
A dirty air filter is probably the simplest fix.

Assessing how quickly you go through replacement
filter elements can give you a heads up on your
future maintenance scheduling.
A worn impeller typically needs replacing with new

impellers. If you believe that your blower has
impeller issues, make sure to have your blower
inspected by a certified technician. This guarantees
that upon inspection and replacement of impellers,
that all of your bearings, seals, and gaskets for the
blower will be replaced with new ones.
If your inlet air flow is restricted, double check for

any obstructions or a closed valve like your check valve. Obstructions not only restrict
air flow but they also cause heat to build in parts of the blower and system where they
shouldn’t.
Cause #5: Lubrication Loss
Some leaking is common. But excessive loss of lubrication (oil on the floor/under the
blower) or a consistent drip is not good. Similar to a blower overheating, there could be
too much oil in the blower. There could also be a worn seal, loose oil cover, drain plug or
line loose, a gasket could be worn, or the head plate or gear case/drive cover vents could
be plugged.
To check for worn seals, loose covers, worn gaskets, etc. this may require a complete
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tear down of the blower and replacement of those seals, bearings, and gaskets. Overhaul
kits are available (as mentioned previously) and they include each of these necessary
parts. The O&M manual for the blower itself often gives a clear walk through on how to
tear down, clean, and rebuild a blower. When in doubt, have your blower inspected by a
certified technician. This will ensure that your blower is thoroughly inspected. Should
your blower be in good enough condition to be rebuilt, the technician has the tools and
parts necessary for proper cleaning and rebuilding of the unit.
For all of your troubleshooting issues or questions, contact

chanelle.boucher@inohva.com or call 317-773-0137.
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Top 5 Troubleshooting Issues for Blower Systems

22 March In Blower Maintenance, Blower Repair by Chanelle Boucher Tags: airflow,

Cause #1: Blower Failure To Rotate

This could be from rust in the blower impeller

If there’s rust in the blower, then it’s time for a good

Cause #2: No airflow.

Cause #3: Blower Exceeds Maximum Vibration

Any number of things could cause this

When your system is vibrating, turn off

Cause #4: Excessive Blower Temperature

A dirty air filter is probably the simplest fix.

A worn impeller typically needs replacing with new

If your inlet air flow is restricted, double check for

Cause #5: Lubrication Loss

For all of your troubleshooting issues or questions, contact

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