Took a ride yesterday after letting the car ('86 Cab) sit for a few months. The upper vent fan (under-the-windshield blower fan) gave out such a terrible noise/schreech i had to turn it off after a few seconds. Is there an easy way to get a little lubrication on it?

TIA

 

Is it actually good for something, some use,...??

I have never found it so.

 

I find the fan very useful for getting air to the windshield. Defogging is pretty dismal (no a/c), but if I wipe down the glass, then she stays clear.

Mine does the same. I've found that if I can tolerate the obnoxious screeching, it tends to quiet down after about 45 seconds of continual use. It seems that once it is up to speed and spinning continuously, it quiets down to normal, and I can even turn the speed down. Try it.

BTW, as already asked, anyone lube this badboy? Or replace ...easy? Cost??

Edward

 

Just checking... are you sure it is the fresh air blower? I had a similar problem on my '88 Carrera and the noise turned out to be the footwell blower behind the kick-panel. (See section 801 in the Bentley Service Manual). If this is in fact the problem, the blower is easy to replace and not too expensive. That said, the hoses that connect to the blower may be old and brittle. I had to replace the large hose and should have replaced the smaller one as well (next time).

Hope this helps. Good luck.

..... Rick

 

Hi Rick,

Yeah, I am sure in this case ...since I removed that footwell blower and gutted the smugglers box

You ever access the fresh air blower? Is that a pain to get to ...or expensive to replace? I actually find that one useful.

Edward

 

Edward,
Sorry. No experience with that one yet (I did buy a replacement fan... not too expensive.... just haven't put it in yet). Will be interested to hear how it goes if you decide to press ahead.
Good luck!
.... Rick

 

I have the same problem. I was told once by Shemmer that these things are easy to remove and rebuild, but I have never followed up with him. Might be worth sending him a PM.

 

Once these motors start going bad any lube solution is just temporary. And to lube this motor you have to get into the fan housing and you might as well just replace it at that point. I would recommend buying the motor/fan assembly, as separating the fan cage from the motor is a PITA and will usually crack the plastic fan.

Good Luck, Andrew

 

thx , Andrew - I think I will wait until the spring to turn it on - maybe it won't make noise inthe warmer air -otherwise, bite the bullet, i guess (i was hoping maybe a little Wd -40 with that long tube...sigh)

 

Just after I bought my '84 in 2006, I was driving with this fan on, it seized and within seconds the cabin started filling with smoke. Not all that safe to have smoke coming out of your dash... Kinda hurts visibility and makes one panic...

This blower replacement is very easy. Screw trying to lube the motor or replace brushes. It's not worth it and as AJ88CAB states above, lubing this old thing is just temporary. New blower assemblies are relatively cheap ($160) and you get a new motor with a squirrel cage blower that actually comes with weights on it for balance.

I replaced mine two years ago with simple hand tools and it took about an hour. I'm a poor mechanic too.

From what I remember, here is the general procedure.
-Remove the trunk carpet.
-Remove the cardboard cover (held on by four bolts) that shields the fresh air blower, ductwork and cables.
-Then remove the cables and duct work from the blower. Take good notes on how the cables attach and the position of the levers in the duct work on the blower housing. Handle the clips that hold the cables in place with care. I lost one in my trunk and never found it again after it just dropped out of my hand.
-Unbolt the blower and remove entire blower assembly from car.
-On your work bench (or kitchen table), remove the 6 circular spring clips from the plastic blower assembly (make sure they spring across the room and you lose them). Note the routing of the electric connection.
-Replace the motor/fan assembly.
-Lube the gasket that goes in between the housing halves with Vinylex or some other good rubber treatment (may as well keep that seal somewhat protected since it'll be another 20 years before you have to do this again).
-Put the plastic blower housing halves together again and replace the 6 round spring clips (again, insure that at least one of them springs accross the garage and you lose it).
-Rebolt everything back together.

It's really simple and it's very nice (and even safer) to have your fresh air blower working quietly and efficiently.

Good Luck!

Jay
84 3.2
90 964
02 986

 

plus after taking that box out is gives you great access for cleaning an area that normally never sees light. At this point you can check your cigarette lighter wiring and other stuff you normally cannot reach.

 

Nice, Jay. Thanks for that! Where did you source the fan/cage, Pelican or??

Edward

 

Edward,

I sourced mine from Performance Product for about $135 at the time (2006).

Jay

 

Thanks, Jay!


Edward

 

This is not a difficult project at all . I would say about 2 out of 10 . Just take your time and work methodically. After i took mine out i wondered why i hadn't done it sooner. I took some pics so I could see where the cable went but i never even used them , basically put the cable in the right position , closed the flapper doors and tightened stuff. Got it all right the first time.

Good luck