Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - fan motor

Got home earlier and a/c must've just quit working for temp was ok at about where the thermostat was set. I turned it down to cool the house down and fan motor just hummed. Crawled upstairs, (hotter than blazes up there!), took cover off, and gave the fan a little push and it cranked up and started working, but only lasted about thirty minutes. Does this mean motor is gone, and is this something I can do myself? Do I have to take out entire fan? Or will the motor slip out if I unbolt it from fan housing? Should I try to have motor rewired? Or try to buy new one?

I hate to pay for technician if not necessary. Any help, comments, suggestions greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Michael

Michael:

If you have a direct drive blower you can remove the motor without removing the whole housing if you are able to access the opposite side to loosen the fan from the motor shaft.
It would be easier to remove the whole assembly as the fan may need a little persuasion to get it off the motor shaft.

Capacitor could be gone though. Check for side movement of the shaft to test for bearing wear.

Thanks, Greg, do you think maybe best to just take out entire fan/motor assy and take to electric motor repair shop (capacitor is mounted on fan housing)?

Michael:

Yes, your idea would be the best compromise between saving a buck and having the job done correctly.

Clean it all up before delivering it to save the shop a little bit of time.