Repair a Swamp Cooler that Shuts Down, Very Easy!

Amazon Affiliate Link to Motor: amzn.to/2W9Qm3C
Amazon Affiliate Link to Cooler Pads:amzn.to/2YPMWQv
Amazon Affiliate Link to Drive Belt:amzn.to/2W8WWHD
Amazon Affiliate Link to Bearings:amzn.to/2Qsg4dH
Amazon Affiliate Link to Water Pump:amzn.to/2YPNR3p
Amazon Affiliate Link Water Distribution: amzn.to/2WzSO3b
Amazon Affiliate Link Float: amzn.to/2Qs9qUO
Please click like and subscribe. Click on my name under the video for all my other how-to videos,,,Enjoy!!!!

[@Dave_Simmons]

Other causes of overheating are: an over-tight belt, dry or bad squirrel cage bearings, a motor that is too small, and low voltage to the motor due to corrosion.

[@justchris846]

This is what happened to mine too-nite, I tightened the belt too much.

[@Metal_Mary]

😊 Thank you so much!! I'm a single Mama, trying to DIY or myself! Your so patient!! So detailed 👌 and easy to follow! Awesome!! 😊

[@calebbegay7499]

👏👍

[@jimdavidson5208]

WRONG. WRONG. You need to align both sheaves dead parallel to each other FIRST. Then tension the belt just to where it doesn't slip or squeal on motor startup. The belt also needs to ride OUT of the sheaves by roughly 1/8". Needs to be ABOVE the sheave. If your belt rides flush or INTO the V groove then the sheave needs replaced or adjusted. A belt riding flush or INTO the V groove creates more side belt friction and heat on the belt making it fail early and over heat the sheaves which raises amperage.

[@jogger1987]

I replaced the motor and belt last summer and it ran like a champ. This year I turned on June 1st all was going well. Then after week a I noticed when it was on high cool after 20 minutes the air out put would drop almost like it was switching to low cool. Then after a few minutes it would speed back up like high cool should be. It never shuts off like you mentioned in your video, it just keeps switching from high to low and back to high intermittently.

[@AJTarnas]

what kind of oil did you use? also i didnt see how you corrected the wobbly shaft.

[@WesleyDulle]

Thank you for your help You should use better light so we all could see what's going on. You did a great job explaining the hole works .thank you again

[@rosaliesanford9698]

When I put my swap cooler on Hi it goes Hi and then Low and it repeats again when it is on low it stays on low can you help me ? I live alone and no one to help me thank you 🙋‍♀️🐕🐕🐈🦋

[@savagebrat3664]

Thank you. I have been trying to find a way to find my dad's swamp cooler. I have a 2 setting. But the low setting doesn't work. And Idk how to fix it? Please help

[@stephenwismer5876]

Finally a video on the motor with belt and pulley adjustment, thanks for posting this, big help

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

thanks for watching.

[@taniabarajas3754]

I have a question I just placed everything how it goes but the rubber band won’t turn I don’t know if it’s the motor? But I just got a new motor

[@paulrivera3252]

They tell us at the store to put the thread part of the pulley on the outside.

[@GarrettHypes]

You need to open the pulley to change the gear ratio. You have the pulley ratio too large. Open the pulley wider to lower the gear ratio. Use an amp meter to check the amp draw. If it draws too much loosen the pulley to make the pulley diameter smaller. This will lower the amp draw.

[@kevinhutchens9858]

I have a question about the swamp cooler switch. Can the switch fail internally and cause both the high and the low voltage to go to the low side overheating the motor?

[@worldweeklynewz5818]

Can you show us how you " just tap the shaft straight" I'm a machinist so I know roughly what I need forcewise to bend it back and what I can get away with but most people don't. I am afraid that they will end up beating it crooked worse or not getting aggressive enough and still having issues and end up dropping 150 in an unnecessary purchase. Great video though.

[@mark.r8900]

hi, i have a 3 phase motor. when i measure the resistance from the motor (3 wires) i get 4.6ohm, OL, OL. could this be the cause why the fuse keeps blowing out? i should get the same resistance value from phase to phase right? thank you.

[@bobbiesmith397]

My motor squeaks on my swamp cooler. But I can't find holes to put the oil like your video shows.

[@rachaelhatfield5066]

Awesome video dude! I live in Nevada and the temps are outrageous! My swamp cooler died and I found this video for troubleshooting. Thank you so much.. Hoping this does the trick as I am trying to do this in 100° + temps. Great explanation!

[@eduardolopez2639]

My swamp cooler doesn’t turn on at all it was working fine yesterday do you think it might be the motor

[@raycarter5184]

Swap the direction of pulley and adjustable side will be more accessible

[@amoschalker1833]

Can you show us how to take the motor further apart and what were looking for? Thank you

[@PKAdventures]

i know this is an older video, but i have a question just in case you see this. i went to oil up the bearings on my motor, and the little yellow plug on the back of the motor (opposite the pully) broke in half, and part fell inside the hole. i took apart the motor, but i can not figure out how to remove the bearing from the back of the motor. do you know how to do this, or maybe you know where i might be able to find some info on how to do it? cuz i know i need to get that little piece out of there, and at this point i figure i might as well replace the bearings, especially since the back one seems to be pretty much seized up. thanks in advance for any help!

[@PKAdventures]

so i figured how to remove that bearing. i was able to remove the little protective housing, but now im going to have to make some type of tool that will let me apply pressure to the square casing of the bearing, and twist it at the same time

[@tinomelendez91]

Mine stops after running 20min on high but it will run all day on low

[@amandaphillips8346]

My cooler keeps burning out the water pump what could cause that

[@jasonlindsay4282]

BIG HELP! Thank You!

[@charlesbrooks2051]

Very helpful. I installed a new motor but when I got it all hooked up, the motor would not pull the load. I found out the problem was just what this video covered! Thank you for the fix!

[@huskyoffleash6997]

much obliged, sir!

[@rayflynn2221]

Not a pulley. It is called an adjustable sheave. It it used to adjust blower speed. If its adjusted too fast (faces too far together), the motor will over amp and will shut down on internal thermal overload (like every 20 min.). The sheave is shot. The motor bearings might also be. Likely by adjusting the sheave he reduced blower speed enough to allow the motor to run longer. Pressed on sheave? Best bet: new motor and sheave. And tension that damn belt after you adjust that garbage sheave!

[@philwhipple4557]

Your Momma must be proud.

[@arejonsen6673]

fight!

[@justice4g]

Part of the old breezair evap installation includes monitoring amp draw while adjusting the pulley which I gather is due to the slight diameter change with the adjustment.

[@RogerPack]

For the pumps that have the four long bolts to hold them together, you can't just pull them apart, I stuck a screwdriver in a vent hole (toward the pulley side, which is the "small" side, like hsi is) and "tap" them, then it came apart. Also note you don't have to take off the plate to the electrical stuff to get them apart :) Used 600 grit sandpaper and sure enough, my motor which used to "buzz and go at low speed, then shut off after 10s" when set to high speed, now runs well. For some reason it took a few restarts but then it started working well, I sanded the core and the outside bits...

[@unknownsosa211]

I need some help my dads confused

[@RogerPack]

Also check the bearings on the side if they're seized it might cause extra load, causing the motor to overheat. It should only be rotating the middle shaft, not the whole thing...it should spin freely too :)

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

great info. thanks for watching.

[@jerrycontreras5550]

On my two speed motor only low works when I put it on high nothing changes it’s still the same speed. Can that be fixed or do I need a new motor?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

the high speed wire has disconnected, check the wiring. do a wiggle test, but be careful not to get shocked. ha. sounds like a bad connection. high speed is black wire. low speed is red wire. white is neutral, green is ground. good luck. let us know if it works.

[@trevorhope6231]

What if your motor doesn’t have the plug insert where the oil goes? Any advice on a second location to put the oil on the motor ? I inspected mine and don’t see any spot to oil

[@Blue_Rose1973]

Some don’t and are throw aways. The motor has a removable plate to connect the wires. Usually color coded.

[@sk8izzy]

I got questions how you get a frozen motor to move again

[@TheRusselmuscle]

My cooler keeps going off and on about every 20 minutes by itself. I the assumed the motor was getting too hot, so I've replaced my blower motor 3 times, replaced the bearings, adjusted the belt many times from tight to so lose it was coming off the pully, replaced the 2 speed wall switch, and the power cord to the blower motor. The motor still keeps repeatedly shutting down after about 20 minutes then coming back on. I'm going to melt this weekend. Does anyone know what could be the problem?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

it sounds like it may be wired wrong. if its a new motor i would disconnect the belt and run it by itself. running without a load tells you a lot. it will verify if it is the wiring or something else. if it still shuts down at about the twenty min mark then the wiring is wrong, or grounded somewhere. heating up the motor. if it does not shut down, then look at if the belt is to tight it should flex enough when adjusted properly to be able to just about roll it off the pulley by hand. and the third thing is water. if your spider is leaking drops of water on the motor, it will also shut it down because the water will cause friction on the armature of the motor , shutting it down when it gets hot. please keep us posted. these comments are like threads and they help everyone. thanks for watching.

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

one other thing, with the motor belt off, can you spin the squirl cage freely. there are bearings on both sides that require a little oil in them. the bearings are cheap to replace. again please keep us posted. thanks.

[@TheRusselmuscle]

Thank you so much Brian. Makes complete sense. That sound like some really solid advise. I'll do that.

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

it sounds like you are building pressure where it is blowing. do you have a window cracked in the house. you have to release some air for it to run easy.

[@rayflynn2221]

@@thomasbriansavingmoney static pressure will reduce load on a blower. Open windows will not make it run easy.

[@danielmagana7847]

Hi way my cooler whater stinks?

[@daliddleOne]

Do you know what to do about a rusted out water reservoir? We don't know what to do? We only use this one in our big garage. Thought about putting this in a baby pool to keep us cool. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated! It's going to be in the hundreds this 4th of July weekend! 🥵🔥🥵

[@RogerPack]

For followers, he taps the motor pulley to make it straighter (or at least adjusts it? the tapping wasn't shown? adjusting it so it blows slower is a good option), and adds some drops of oil to the motor (which in some motor models isn't possible). And shows you how to clean rust from inside the motor if necessary...good info! My only issue is sometimes those pulleys are stuck on with rust...though I think they rent pulley pullers at autozone? :)

[@mrpgross]

I'm having issues with the circuit breaker for the cooler in the main panel popping. I unplugged the motor and the circuit breaker doesn't pop. Is this a problem with the motor being shorted? Should I just replace the motor?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

yes, that is correct !!!

[@mrpgross]

Alright, I swapped the motor and got it wired correctly, I think. Now the motor runs on lo cool for a minute or 2 and then shuts off. Same problem in hi cool. The systems works fine on pump only but the fan is running at high speed. I don't think I have this wired correctly. Any help and pictures would be helpful. It's a 2-speed motor going to a 3-prong plug, where 2 of the prongs are flat.

[@kallyv5963]

Ok, there's a better then average chance that if it wasn't the pulley being bent, then it could be the sheaves being too close (read as CURRENT WAY TOO HIGH from overdriven fan!!!) Open it up

[@Grundig305]

One came with the house,useless above 90 degrees . New motor seized 10 minutes after he installed it. Hate these things. Nobody uses them anymore next year tossing it, for a/c

[@junkmail4293]

Awesome video, thank you for the detailed info on the pulley system. I'm a single woman and really can't afford to pay someone to do repairs. I would have never found the second set screw on the back pulley. Thank you again for you time to make this help video.

[@assyriantv7232]

Bravo! Best video and explanation, cheers!

[@hatedbymany9457]

Mine keeps shutting off after few sec. Its a new one but has alot belt dust on it i had change it. Now this. Its cold love be able fix it. It runys fine with no belt on it

[@rosegilpatrick8755]

I have an old swamp cooler that looks a lot like yours. My issue is a loud clicking noise when I turn the fan on. If I put the fan on high, it sounds like a machine gun! Too loud to run!! Because of the tight housing around the fan, I can't tell if possibly something has fallen in or the fan is hitting the side of the housing, or maybe it's something else causing the loud noise. Any suggestions?

[@KFrost-fx7dt]

Mine is loud too. It sounds like a garbage disposal. Did you ever find out what was wrong with yours?

[@rosegilpatrick8755]

@@KFrost-fx7dt There was a piece of metal bent that the fan was hitting (which is why it sounded like a "machine gun". But there is still a very loud "winding down sound" when I turn the fan off. Also since then, the pump works fine, but now when I turn the fan on, it trips the GFCI outlet. Time to call in an electrician.

[@doycecoyle2561]

VERY INFORMATIVE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. CLD B A TEACHING VID FROM A SERIES FOR SURE! HATS OFF. TOTALLY SOLVED MY PROBLEM N ILL KNOW THIS FOR LIFE!! THANK U SIR!🙂🙃

[@kmiller5808]

At 1:26 you mentioned "build-up on armature.....caused by a warped pulley" but you did not show cleaning of armature

[@bransonred1]

My westinghouse 1/2 hp motor says "15 drops of 10w motor oil annually".

[@daliddleOne]

Thank you! This is a GREAT tutorial!!! You explaimed everything so well!

[@SouthpawAutoworks]

Recently purchased a used cooler for $65. The initial inspection, prior to purchase, revealed a badly worn belt. However, the cooler was putting out an air temp under 70 degrees F...so I moved forward. After putting some time and money into the unit, it still shakes during low/high fan speed. I'm glad that I found this video, as I'm excited to follow the steps...and hopefully take care of the last issue. Thank you for taking the time to put this video together. It's a nice contribution...

[@LooseSmile]

Awesome

[@aawaaraa5953]

Moter need little push to start. And after starting it works fine. It's same same moter shown in video. Ther is no capacitor. Just three wires common high cooling and low cooling.

[@aqui7817]

Thank you so so much.

[@brownlumber9096]

Thanks bro!.. you save my ass!..

[@sojourner1122]

My pulley is making a noise and not from lack of oil. Think I need to replace , maybe a bearing gone bad? Been working on these high maintenance coolers all my life but don’t remember ever changing a pulley wheel. Motors yes but not a wheel. Any advice? Only for my personal home use, I’m a gal so any info you can give me before it reaches 115 degrees in Phoenix is greatly appreciated. Thanx

[@dallasdubb7669]

I found your video very helpful but im still having a problem with motor. What I did was buy a new one, put it on and it does want to turn to push air in the house. And i did but the same motor that was already in the swamp cooler. Should I a higher voltage? Have any advice for me? Thank you I really appreciate it!!!

[@ronnetteharvey2002]

Hello sir, My dad kept turning the cooler on while having a plastic cover on the front. Can that burn up the switch or burn up the motor or anything else?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

yes that can burn up the motor. it will build some pressure making the motor work to hard.

[@God4Us_GodwithUs]

What if you turn it on and it sounds like it wants to start but there’s no air flow and I’m trying to learn how and what to do when I bring out the ladder to inspect it and you have any suggestions

[@alexromer2312]

I have new motor installed belts set. plugged in was running for a year. no problem. just won't keep running. I need electrical help.

[@detailit]

Good info. I just installed a new motor, it ran twenty minutes and shutdown. My engine adjustment bracket is all the way in, how do I loosen the belt now? Good video!!👍

[@Blue_Rose1973]

Loosen brackets on both sides of motor mount. Adjust where needed and then tighten.

[@IOEYS]

Thank you. Great tutorial. To the point and so very easy to follow what is being explained. I sure hope this man has a video for a shallow well jet pump installation. Good luck with the swamp coolers everybody.

[@jeffolmstead1754]

I put my old motor in a new cooler. It runs fine with just the fan going in hi or low or on hi cool, but overheats in a minute or so when running in low cool. The motor or fan or something also makes a moaning sound when in low cool and getting ready to overheat. Also, the "pump only" and "hi vent" positions on the 6-position control switch have interchanged themselves. Never had this problem with the old cooler. Any ideas?

[@YonaBear-x5s]

SALUTE 🫡

[@forrestallen9354]

Hopefully you still look at this. The control panel for my swamp cooler clicks and then the motor slowly starts and then stops and then the control panel clicks again and nothing happens. The motor got hot too.

[@teabee44]

What size Allen? 5/32? What type of oil? Zoom spout?

[@henryerivesq.106]

Thank you for the video, I eneded up replacing the motor on mine but after I did it started shaking alot. Would you know why this is happening

[@Rabbit.760]

Check everything on the Squirrel cage axle. More than likely the pillow blocks are shot

[@henryerivesq.106]

@@Rabbit.760 I will check it out thank you

[@MrMarks777]

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD VIDEO ON A NEW COOLER SET- UP INCLUDING WIRING & SHEET METAL? TY BRIAN GREAT VIDEO...

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

yes i do its at backyardmechanic.org thanks for watching, and for the great comments.

[@geezerhull]

thanks for the video. mine was doing that and it turned out to be just a super worn belt. evidently it was just the blower slowing down, not the motor.

[@2pacnasgame]

So I close mine all the way the belt still was still deep in the groove of the pulley I herd someone else say give it 3 to 4 turns open and my cooler hasn't burnt the motor since but the problem is i dont feel enough wind now almost feel like a regular fan kinda

[@nolancook6566]

My evaporated cooler stays on low, when you switch yo high it stays low . Any help

[@presidenteldermarkhoffman8304]

How about 8 year old motor 1/2 HPfrom Lowes. I can not find oil ports is this sealed and nothing I can do. Hard to turn, motor will start but if I try restart nothing. Is your pulley on backwards? Fixed shaft part pulley closest to motor and adjust on outside right?

[@koolaidsmurf9368]

okay i got a question im replacing my motor with a brand new one and its not spinning very fast and getting hot what am i doing wrong ?

[@alexromer2312]

can you please help me any suggestions. what about the plug wire from motor to control box. could that cause the motor shut down .

[@jjjlburxiaga826]

Why is mine not dpinning? I opened and dmput back and didny work after

[@kennethtanner6901]

Thomas, Thank you so much for posting this. Our church's swamp cooler motor was shutting down after a short period and we didn't have an idea of why. After watching your video and following your directions, the motor is now functioning just fine. Thank you!!

[@drewboy7319]

Great video!

[@junellealvarez586]

your vent holes are suppost to face down man

[@mayraduarte4227]

What if my swamp cooler won’t go to vent? It does nothing on vent

[@mariotravis3001]

To weaken air flow can i loosen the pulley on the belt

[@andrewcluff3275]

Hello, Question for you. I have two old master cool swamp coolers that I love. Worked perfectly for years and years . NOW They work for 30 min then over heat bad. Would a good cleaning and a bearing lube take care of my problem??? Please help I was just quoted 300$ rewire job because guy knew I had no other options.

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

Is it indoor or outdoor? If it's indoor your problem is pressure, it needs to vent better. If it's out door, yes definitely a good cleaning will fix it, be sure to oil the bearings. thanks for watching!

[@christopherharrison4621]

Thanks for making the video. Really came in clutch today

[@wyattsexton7083]

My AC motor stopped working. I noticed there's black rubber shaving around the motor.. Is my motor dead? It's hard to turn the motor like it's locked. And it's not powering up. Thanks for your help.

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

yes, the threads are either belt shavings or dust from the motor being flung out with a mixture of water with it. be sure to check that the spider is not leaking and dripping near the motor.

[@joaquinaguirre2976]

Thank you very much. great job!

[@creamcheemZ]

This guy is a fucking god

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for watching. i appreciate all of you.

[@jjjlburxiaga826]

I just took it off put it back on and nothing

[@ValleyBullsLLC]

I have a bigger motor and the fan blades are made of fiberglass and is held in with an aluminum disc that is attached to the pully. The whole thing is rusted and in bad shape. The bolts on my extractor keep stripping the threaded holes. Any ideas?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

is there room for a nut behind the bolt, if so install a nut and lock washer. if the threaded holes are plastic,with a small torch you can slowly melt the threads then before it cools completely you can run the bolt back in to make new threads.

[@scottmurray2239]

Great video, Thanks

[@jimdavidson5208]

Notice your belt SLAPS at 5:35 into your video? You did it wrong.

[@blancasoto508]

I'm replacing it.but pulley its too rusted ( got the new one without the pulley ) how do I removed without damaging it?.help

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

remove the set screws, i have pried them off with two long screw drivers, but i found the easiest way is to rent a pulley puller from my local auto store ( no cost, full refund ) thanks for watching.

[@CEOFIRST]

What kind of oil?

[@gqinc1202]

Well I've got an identical motor that had been ceased for around 25 years, after a lot of strength and wd40 it moves but when I plug it in it just blows the fuse in my power supply 💥😒 any ideas?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

yes, take the motor apart and clean the armature. it is grounding out on the magnets. most people just buy a new motor, but it can be cleaned.

[@gqinc1202]

thomas brian thanks I'll try this , I got the motor for free (for obvious reasons) so if I can't fix it I'll just find one off of another junk cooler.

[@BobBob-dx1tv]

the adjustable pulley is for motor amperage draw adjustment, it's in the owners manual

[@jayc4283]

hahaha, you stocked up on blinker fluid?

[@BobBob-dx1tv]

Look it up smart guy you'll see

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

true, also for different thickness of belts.

[@jimdavidson5208]

WRONG

[@amandasmith8666]

Replaced the pump and belt it worked for about 20 mins and shut off. Replaced the motor and turned it on low vent barely turns the motor over and flips the breaker. The motor is severely hot. Adjusted the pulley and still not working. Can anyone help me figure out the problem?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

you have a bad motor, take it apart and clean the armature, and brushes. you may get some more life out of it. but eventually you will need a new motor.

[@amandasmith8666]

thomas brian the motor was brand new. I called a professional. It was a bad switch bleeding electricity and the brand new motor seized due to the series of events.

[@mastawali8667]

How to Remove Calcium Buildup From a Swamp Cooler easy way

[@Rabbit.760]

Water softener

[@Mr-ep2qi]

great video!!!

[@corriecole4687]

Thank you so much for your help

[@rotcataergeht]

Help. I turned swamp cooler on but no air coming out. The motor is running. What to inspect?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

belt came off i think

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

check the belt on the motor

[@rotcataergeht]

@@thomasbriansavingmoney the belt is spinning too.. help. Could it be worn out belt no air coming out of vent?

[@bruceg1845]

I think your problem was a unlubed bearing, not the pulley

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

it was out of round, but i lubed it as well before installing. great comment because this will help others. ty

[@Jenny-qv7rf]

Very smart! :)

[@dwightnelson3482]

What kinda of oil did u use?

[@thomasbriansavingmoney]

30 w any kind will work. but i use regular 30 weight oil.

[@genesis7552003]

I'd that the same as car oil??? might be A StupID question but...????? don't know...