Airsense 10 - noise from air intake

[Mikefly]

For the past few days I've had noise from the air intake. https://imgur.com/a/XNjYcie
This noise is accurate, but it is not as loud as it seems on the video. It takes a few minutes for it to kick in, it still starts off silent.
Machine is 4-1/2 years old, so I figured no harm in tearing it down, which I did thanks to a video from user farnsy.

The motor/fan seems to be operating fine. https://imgur.com/a/TXhMN5u
I cleaned it out a little bit, and washed the grey foam piece. All of the silicon connectors appeared to be in good shape, but I gave them a wash for good measure.

If I had to guess, somehow there's a connection somewhere that is not sealing properly - but I can't identify the issue. My sleep is messed up!

Any advice?


Edit: I swapped out the mask, humidifier and tubing and noise persisted.

[ChicagoGranny]

Do you use private insurance or Medicare?

The machine is 4.5 years old. I would replace it.

[hschlossberg]

I am so glad you posted this, as I have been having the same issue for the past couple months and today had finally gotten fed up with it and decided to check the forum for advice. Mine IS as loud as the video (if not louder), same machine, only on inhale, and like yours only after it's been running a while (so maybe the higher pressure?). The sound reminds me of a kazoo (which has vibrating paper inside). It's gotten so loud that it's been waking me up during the night, even after I've surrounded the machine on all but one side with pillows.

It is definitely from the machine (not the mask or tube). All outside seals are fine, and temporarily removing the filter and leaving the filter door open doesn't help. It seems to be coming from the motor side of the machine. I opened the machine once, about a month ago, to see if I could identify exactly where it's coming from... but I couldn't. It has gotten worse in the past week.

Mine is about 4.75 years old (13,884 hrs). How long should the Airsense 10 last? I mean, it's an $800-900 machine, so it doesn't seem crazy to expect it to last more than 4.5 years... or to be serviceable... does it?

[SleepGeek]

I cleaned it out a little bit, and washed the grey foam piece. All of the silicon connectors appeared to be in good shape, but I gave them a wash for good measure.

If I had to guess, somehow there's a connection somewhere that is not sealing properly - but I can't identify the issue. My sleep is messed up!

Anytime you hear whistles its normally due to an air leak. Since you checked everything else I'm gonna guess it has to do with the water chamber.

Either the tank isn't inserted correctly or the gasket between the halves of the water chamber is leaking. Turn the chamber around after filling it with water to see if it leaks any water.

[ChicagoGranny]

How long should the Airsense 10 last?

Until it doesn't.

[Mikefly]

Anytime you hear whistles its normally due to an air leak. Since you checked everything else I'm gonna guess it has to do with the water chamber.

Either the tank isn't inserted correctly or the gasket between the halves of the water chamber is leaking. Turn the chamber around after filling it with water to see if it leaks any water.

I agree that it should be because of a leak, but I’ve identified and swapped out the likely culprits, including a different humidifier. It could be the seals inside the humidifier cavity, but they look fine. Swapping them out is conceivable if I ordered the parts but no guarantee that it will help. FWIW the noise from the intake side is about 10% louder than from the humidifier side.

I saw my family doc today and have a scrip that insurance will cover, so unfortunately will go that route. Perhaps it is worth keeping the machine for spare parts or to mess around with replacing all the gaskets. At this point they are all easy to get to.

My plan is to replace with the airsense 10 given the reviews I’ve read comparing the 10 and 11.

[Mikefly]

I am so glad you posted this, as I have been having the same issue for the past couple months and today had finally gotten fed up with it and decided to check the forum for advice. Mine IS as loud as the video (if not louder), same machine, only on inhale, and like yours only after it's been running a while (so maybe the higher pressure?). The sound reminds me of a kazoo (which has vibrating paper inside). It's gotten so loud that it's been waking me up during the night, even after I've surrounded the machine on all but one side with pillows.

It is definitely from the machine (not the mask or tube). All outside seals are fine, and temporarily removing the filter and leaving the filter door open doesn't help. It seems to be coming from the motor side of the machine. I opened the machine once, about a month ago, to see if I could identify exactly where it's coming from... but I couldn't. It has gotten worse in the past week.

Mine is about 4.75 years old (13,884 hrs). How long should the Airsense 10 last? I mean, it's an $800-900 machine, so it doesn't seem crazy to expect it to last more than 4.5 years... or to be serviceable... does it?

Like the comment I just replied to, I think it must be one of the gaskets. If you don’t have coverage, perhaps it’s worth ordering replacement parts - they’re not expensive.

For what it’s worth mine is the same age and hours as yours.

[SleepGeek]

My plan is to replace with the airsense 10 given the reviews I’ve read comparing the 10 and 11.

Good Plan.
Hopefully the doc wrote the make & model of the cpap you want on this script.

But even if s/he did, the DME often will want to push on you something else. Just be up front and clear about what you want and don't accept anything else. IF they try something else I would start trying another DME in your network.

I had one try 5 diff times, so I finally went to Apria (no less) - told them up front what was going on and said I'll do business with whoever get it right first.

Just Do NOT sign any paperwork until you get what YOU want. (auto?)

[Mikefly]

My plan is to replace with the airsense 10 given the reviews I’ve read comparing the 10 and 11.

Good Plan.
Hopefully the doc wrote the make & model of the cpap you want on this script.

But even if s/he did, the DME often will want to push on you something else. Just be up front and clear about what you want and don't accept anything else. IF they try something else I would start trying another DME in your network.

I had one try 5 diff times, so I finally went to Apria (no less) - told them up front what was going on and said I'll do business with whoever get it right first.

Just Do NOT sign any paperwork until you get what YOU want. (auto?)

I live in canada, so it’s different here. My private insurance covers 85% of up to $1200. I can get a10 for $650.

If you get it covered by the government the machine will cost less! And the government covers about $400. But involves many more doctors appointments and time I don’t wish to spend.

[robbob2112]

You can order a new motor off amazon for a bit over $100usd or there are vendors that will replace the motor and repair any sensors and calibrate everything for about $220. There are many youtube videos about how to take it apart and replace the motor.

If the sound isn't motor there are a few interior seals to look at.


Scroll all the way down on the 'my options' and hit 'about' to see the run hours. If you don't see the run hours hold in the round button and the home button at the same time and the about in there will show run hours.

The machine will pop up a motor life exceeded message once the run hours exceeds 22500. The motor isn't bad unless it is making a noise. If you replace it yourself that message stays. If you get the machine repaired they reset that as well. https://acbio.com/cpap-repair/

Were it me I would get a new one through insurance and get the old one repaired as a spare. Unless you already have a spare.

Or if this is the same price buy a spare.

https://www.thecpapshop.com/resmed-airs ... SQQAvD_BwE

[Mikefly]

I really wonder if it's part 37310 - the easily removable gasket. Mine is an oval shape vs perfectly round, which doesn't quite make sense given that it's covering a round hole. I'll know soon when the new machine arrives, and if that's the case, I can have a backup machine for minimal cost.

https://biofreear.live/product_details/62289072.html

[robbob2112]

I just listened to it - was on mute before -

That is motor bearing noise - nothing to be done but new machine or new motor.

I would spent the $$ to get it repaired or replace the motor myself to keep it as backup.

[Mikefly]

I just listened to it - was on mute before -

That is motor bearing noise - nothing to be done but new machine or new motor.

I would spent the $$ to get it repaired or replace the motor myself to keep it as backup.

What did you listen to? The first link is to the machine before it’s taken apart. The second is the motor outside of the machine. Given that the noise changes with inhale/exhale, I think it must be seal not motor. Fwiw it’s also only at half expected life.

[robbob2112]

That first recording you posted... it sounds like a loose bearing in the motor.

[ace77]

I have a similar noise from a newer Airsense 10, but it's extremely faint. It's on inhale only, and barely noticeable but my old AS10 didnt make the noise.

I agree the issue is either with the silicone gasket on the air filter port or the motor itself. The sound emanates from the left side of the machine, before the air even reaches the humidifier.