EMB 170 flight crew reported the #2 engine experienced high vibration levels during climb. Flight crew reduced power to reduce vibration and returned to departure airport.
Synopsis
EMB 170 flight crew reported the #2 engine experienced high vibration levels during climb. Flight crew reduced power to reduce vibration and returned to departure airport.
Narrative
Operating flight ZZZ to ZZZ1 on departure from ZZZ noticed engine 2 LP reached 4.0 and turned amber passing 9000 ft for 10000 ft. Leveled off at 10000 ft and ran the engine abnormal vibration QRH (Quick Reference Handbook); as we leveled off and power decreased the vibration was back within normal limitations; we also slowed to 240 KTS from 250 KTS; QRH says to reduce Mach by 0.02. We informed ATC and dispatch about the vibration and told dispatch it was there and went away and to see if they wanted us to return to ZZZ or continue on. Dispatch said we were good to go to ZZZ1 now that vibration had gone away; informed ATC and accepted climb to 17000 ft. On climb we kept speed in man mode at 250 KTS and noticed that after n1 reached ~50% vibration would start to rise and at ~70% would again turn amber. We climbed to 17000 ft with auto throttles off and reduced power on engine 2. We again leveled off and informed disparity hit had come up again and ATC that we needed to level to work the issue. We elected to return as we could not apply any more power past ~70% n1 on engine 2 and diverted back to ZZZ. Captain [requested priority handling] with ATC out of caution and informed the flight attendants and the cabin. We made a normal landing back in ZZZ and taxied to gate with no further issues. Captain PF; first officer PM
Second reporter narrative
While climbing out of ZZZ around 9000/10000 ft we got high vibes of 4.0. I called for the QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) and we ran it. It resolved the issue. After consulting with dispatch we continued on. While climbing through 16000 ft; we got the same thing. We requested to level off and reran the QHR. It took a reduction to about 74 percent to get back below 4.0. At that same thrust setting the engine vibes went back up to 4.0. It took a reduction to about 35-40 percent power to get it out of the 4.0 range. After that we decided to return to ZZZ and [request priority handling] as a precaution and were able to use the engine without it going back into the high range.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.