Dehumidifier makes a popping noise

I get this complaint a few times a month , what I usually find is that the circulation fan has a build up of fuzzy lint on the blades and it throws the fan out of balance (hence the noise) a soak in a warm water/soap solution usually takes care of it , disassembly is required for this , I usually charge two hours labor for this

a change in tone of the noise from a working unit indicates to me that a bit of dust/dirt has built up on the internal fans blades and has caused a imbalance in the fan now , this usually requires a complete disassembly and cleaning out to remedy

There are basically two moving parts, the fan and the compressor. It more then likely is the fan. Be sure the air path is clean and the fan blade does not hit anything. If it is the compressor I would suggest getting a new unit and using that one elsewhere for the short time it has left.

As long as the unit is unplugged, I can't think of any reason why you can't.

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you understand why and what you cando with a dehumidifier that ices up.

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working

heatman101

The black cylinder is the compressor. It sounds like your unit is cycling the compressor for some reason. If the compressor starts, runs fine, and removes water when you set the humidity control to the driest setting the compressor is probably OK and the problem may be with the humidity control causing the dehumidifier to "short cycle" for some reason. You may need to change the humidity control or relocate the dehumidifier in your crawl space.
If the compressor attempts to start, and then sits quiet for 10 minutes, and then attempts to start again, you have a problem with the dehumidifier. There are a few things that can cause this problem:
Low refrigerant charge
Bad compressor capacitor
Bad compressor overload
Plugged capillary tube or broken expansion valve
are the common causes of this behavior. If you suspect one of these problems, call the factory service department at 1-800-533-7533 for help.

Good luck with your dehumidiifer.

Hi,
When the compressors start to go bad they often start to get very loud also...the cost to replace the compressor will probably be more then a new unit...

Also check out this tip about dehumidifier problems...

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4662409-dehumidifier_running_but_no_water_in

Hi,
The fam motor bearings are dry and need oil..wd-40 with the long spray nozzle maybe the best way to get oil on the bearings... some motors are sealed and it is very dificult the get them quiet again...spray right where the shaft comes out of the motor and then lean the unit back so the oil runs into the motor and let it set for awhile..then try it...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3877515-dehumidifier_problems_dehumidifier

heatman101

Hi,
They are a mechanical pump and will make quite a racket...nothing can be done to it to quiet it..

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4662409-dehumidifier_running_but_no_water_in

heatman101

sounds like a sealed system issue it has a 5 yr. warrenty on the sealed system, cost to repair might mean an new one instead