[20 20]

This is an 'above the stove microwave/hood combo'. It's about 8 months old, and the exhaust fan won't suck any air. It never did, I just didn't get around to looking at the problem again until now.

Anyway, I've taken it apart, mutiple times, made sure I followed the directions for a rear exhaust vent, multiple times, but it just won't suck air from the vent on the bottom of the microwave. Following the instructions I needed to change the orientation of the blower, as it is delivered in the 'recirculate' configuration. When I take the microwave down to troubleshoot, and have it sitting on a table, air blows like crazy out the exhaust vent, but it's not drawing in from the bottom. It's drawing in a very small amount of air from the top front grill, but only a very small amount. I have no idea where it's getting the air it's blowing out. Anyone have any ideas?

[booglu]

Hi,

I've got the exact same problem with my Maytag microwave! Mine is actually vented to the outside as well - but through the top. I had a repair man here and he added some foam weatherstripping on the bottom of the intake section of the motor, but it wasn't installed at the time and when I reinstalled it, it just started to blow OUT the bottom. When I called him back he suggested that I disconnect the ductwork from the top and retest. Low and behold it works much better! (not great, mind you, but better) He believes that either the unit is not strong enough to carry the air all the way through the ductwork, or that the ductwork is plugged.

I'm not sure how I'm going to resolve the issue, but I thought that this may help you since it sounds like we've got the same problem.

Good luck!

[20 20]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think that's it, but I'll take a look at see what I can find. Maybe weather stripping on the motor intake...