I need a treadmill doctor - what is wrong with mine?

lollerama wrote:

When I first start running on it, the speed will fluctuate on its own if I turn it up past around 8:30 miles. It's pathetic at the start. It will keep slowing down momentarily then go back up. 7.5, 7.2, 7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7.... each change in speed lasts a second or so. I barely notice it, but it's happening for sure.

I just want to clarify - when I say "barely notice it" I mean I barely feel it, as it happens so quickly. The readout is plainly telling me it is happening, however.

ours is a 2010 - have you checked the belt? I've never seen the specific visual display you're documenting but I have noticed t times ours gets "glitchy" and it's usually a micro adjustment on the belt. We use a hex screw on the back of it to adjust it just a bit L or R - not much of a difference visually but helps smooth the run.

Ours was sold saying the engine would never need a tune up, but my coworker has a (I think 13 yr old model) that does need engine oil/tuneups from time to time. So may just want to call an expert out for a tune up for $100 and see if that works before dropping $$$ on a new treadmill.

The seller told you the truth when he said you would never have to tune the engine . . . Did you ask him about the motor?

You might have lube/oil/heavy grease on your friction surfaces. I have something like this happen if I spray silicon up around the front edge of the belt. It clears up after a few minutes because I'm just using light silicon spray not heavy grease.

I doubt it's the belt - no slipping. Sounds like either the speed sensor (not too much $$) which straddles the front "axle", or the electric motor is developing a dead spot - which means it's getting ready to croak.

Had the same problem. Called the treadmill company. A guy came out. Took the cover off the motor. Large mouse nest inside. Gave it to me in a ziplock. It cost me $135. Problem fixed.

Thanks a lot for all the replies - every one of them was decent, and a possibility. I'm hoping the motor isn't about to die. I've taken the cover off the front to take a look; no mouse nest visible but I didn't take apart the actual engine or anything. I don't think there's any holes big enough for a mouse to fit in, but you never know.

As far as belt slippage - it *could* be slipping momentarily, but I'm not sure that the speed sensor would pick up on that as well, if that's all it is. And the speed sensor is definitely showing the fluctuations in real time as it happens. The only weird thing about it all is that it gets better as it warms up. It's always at its worst at the start.

Last night, I turned on the treadmill about half an hour before actually getting on (usually get on right away) and it seemed to stop the fluctuations a little earlier - i.e., I could inch the speed up in slightly less time. Which is odd, because it's not like the treadmill actually physically warms up at all when it's just turned on but nothing's happening other than an LCD screen being lit up.

Thanks again, everyone. Surprisingly good responses.