Commercial ice machines produce their regular humming, clicking, and whirring noises, but when the sounds are loud and there are strange ones like rattling, grinding, or the likes, there may be an issue that you should look into or hire an ice dispenser repair professional for it. Below are some common reasons why your ice machine is making unusual noises.
Causes Of A Commercial Ice Machine Producing Loud Noises
The Unit Is Not Level
Let’s start with a cause that’s common and can be easily fixed. If your commercial maker is vibrating or shaking a lot, it can be because the unit is not level. It could be that the surface is not level or the unit’s body or frame is damaged from below. If it has wheels or casters, check them because they could be damaged, causing the shaking and vibrations.
Loose Panels Or Screws
If any of the panels or screws are loose, you will hear constant rattling sounds when the unit is on. All parts of ice makers are secured with screws, like all machines, so inspect the exterior and the reachable parts of the interior to see anything loose, and tighten the screws.
Scale Buildup
Limescale buildup is common in commercial ice makers and this is why you need to clean and descale them regularly. Scale buildup, when there is a lot of it, can block any component of the ice machine, leading to various issues. And it may tell you with strange noises. You may hear various kinds of sounds depending on which part of the ice maker limescale is creating problems for.
In many cases, you may hear a gurgling or bubbling sound if the water flow is being restricted by scale. Keep in mind that the gurgling sound is associated with the regular functioning of the refrigerant circulating inside the coils and also other problems like drain issues, so you need an expert who can inspect the unit.
Regardless, cleaning is important anyway, so you can descale the ice maker and see if the noises go away or not.
Low Voltage Or Power Issues
Due to low voltage or other power issues, the commercial ice maker may either work inconsistently or not turn on. Sometimes, it doesn’t turn on while you hear clicking or loud humming sounds. In other cases, the unit may work inconsistently as you hear loud humming or buzzing noises.
Power issues can create huge problems so if you think the noises are due to a power problem, have the electrical system checked and also use a voltage regulator or a surge protector to keep power fluctuations from damaging your ice machine.
Dirty Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is the part of your ice maker that allows effective heat dissipation. It’s located in the exterior of the unit, either at the back or underneath the unit, depending on the type and model. It should be cleaned regularly, along with other components like the fan, to prevent problems.
But if it’s dirty, it won’t dissipate heat properly and you may hear grinding, rattling, or whistling sounds.
Dirty or Obstructed Condenser Fan
The condenser coil is accompanied by a fan that aids in heat dissipation. The fan should be clean and unobstructed to rotate freely. If something is in the way or there is a lot of debris or dust buildup, it may not rotate properly. This may lead to noises like rattling, grinding, strained fan noises, and metal-on-metal noises.
The solution to this problem is also easy as you need to make sure that the exterior of the ice machine is clean, including the fan. Moreover, ensure proper maintenance and take care of your commercial equipment to avoid many problems.
Low Water Levels
Low water levels can be due to many reasons, such as a faulty or clogged water inlet valve, no or bad water filtration system, a clogged or leaking water line, or water supply issues. Any of these problems will lead to the ice maker not receiving enough water and the unit will make loud noises.
The noises may sound like gurgling or bubbling because the ice maker is trying to get enough water, but is only pulling air due to low water pressure, causing this sound. Other noises you may hear can be hissing, sizzling, and high-pitched noises.
Therefore, check the water inlet valve and the water line of the ice machine, the water purification system connected to the unit, and the water supply of your facility. You can also hire commercial refrigerator repair Clifton services for help.
Refrigerant Leakage
A hissing, whistling, or whooshing sound may mean that there is refrigerant leakage. A refrigerant is the gas/liquid that flows through the coils and is an integral part of the ice making process. It moves in the coils only and has to stay in that closed space.
But if the coils are corroded or damaged, there may be small holes from where the refrigerant will leak and produce distinct noises as well. However, these noises may be difficult to hear in a commercial space where there is a lot of noises of various equipment and the people around.
So, you should look for other signs as well, like slower or no ice production and the compressor overworking or overheating. Hire an expert who can inspect the ice maker for refrigerant leakages.
Worn-Out Bearings
In commercial ice makers, multiple components have bearings such as the condenser fan motor, auger motor, water pump motor, compressor, etc.
Bearings are essential for components that have moving parts. They wear over time and must be replaced in a timely manner. If worn bearings are not replaced and the motor keeps running with them, the damage will be significant and you will need to replace the motor. You can prevent many bearing problems by regularly lubricating bearings.
As they are in multiple components of an ice machine, they may make various noises depending on which component’s or motor’s bearing is worn. There may be sounds of grinding, screeching, squealing, or thumping. If you notice these sounds, look for other signs of worn bearings like changed fan speed, motor noises, overheating, and slow ice production. These problems should be inspected by an expert.
Malfunctioning Fan Motor
The condenser fan motor or any other motor in the commercial ice maker will make high-pitched whining or unusual vibrations when faulty. If it’s the fan motor, the fan speed may be slower as well and there may be excessive heat in that area too. These are signs that you should stop using the ice maker and get it inspected.
Compressor Problems
A compressor is a critical part of a commercial ice maker. It can make various noises that may hint at the issue. If the compressor turns on and off repeatedly, it may be an electrical issue, overheating, thermostat issue, or refrigerant issue.
Loud buzzing or clicking may mean that the compressor is trying to turn on but having problems. It can be a compressor issue or something else, like voltage problems, a faulty start relay or capacitor, or a clogged or bad water inlet valve.
In addition to that, a rattling, grinding, or metal-on-metal sound may mean a compressor malfunction. These problems are also only determined and fixed by a professional. After the inspection, the expert can tell if you should replace the compressor or the ice maker.
Conclusion
A commercial ice maker making unusual noises is not a good sign. So, you should know what these sounds mean and which parts may be responsible for them. Call in a commercial ice maker repair Arlington expert for troubleshooting the issue.