1987 Noisy Blower motor

I Roll · Post by **I Roll** » 18 Aug 2010, 23:03

My heater fan is making a screeching noise. I think just a little spray on grease would make it stop. Is there any way to get some into the bearings without tearing half the car apart?

oughorian · Post by **oughorian** » 19 Aug 2010, 00:38

Lubricating a worn bearing or bushing will not solve your noisy blower problem because of its age it might remain quiet for some time but not for long, my recomendation is replace the blower and save your time I did lubricate not my Volvo's fan but several other like fans with no long lasting result.

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 19 Aug 2010, 07:40

Replacing the blower moter is the answer because it will only happen again, but the dash has to come completely apart, glove box, cluster, ducts, etc...The motor is totally enclosed within the heater unit and is inaccessible until the heater box is disassembled...There is no squirrel cage, there are two big (about 8 inch diameter) finned wheels, one at each end of the blower motor shaft and they prevent you from reaching the bearings......BIG job...Been there, done that...Sorry...

I Roll · Post by **I Roll** » 19 Aug 2010, 09:38

Thanks for both replies. This is a hard one to swallow. This truth hurts!!!!!!

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 19 Aug 2010, 10:58

I Roll wrote:Thanks for both replies. This is a hard one to swallow. This truth hurts!!!!!!

Yup, tell me about it...It is possible to do it yourself if you are ambitious and have a free weekend...Hint: before you disconnect anything put a masking tape tag on it and on it's mating connector with an arbitrarily selected number or letter so that you can reconnect everything properly...

Post by **billofdurham** » 19 Aug 2010, 11:43

I Roll, welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

As you have gathered it isn't a five minute job.

This should help.

Bill.

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 19 Aug 2010, 15:47

VOLVO is Swedish for "I Roll"...Very clever!!!...

Bill gave you a great repair lead...The 240 in the article was an '84...I remember having to do the cutting mods in my '77, but not in the '86...I think it was taken care of in production when Volvo changed the motor they used...The motor in the "77 was an open frame motor with brushes protruding onto the commutator on arms...They had moved sideways and jumped off the commutator...

I Roll · Post by **I Roll** » 19 Aug 2010, 22:29

This is too much fun! Bill's picture of all the parts laid out on the lawn pushes me closer to rehab. I drilled holes into the fan housing today and found out that you all weren't lying. I sprayed some grease in there anyway- what harm could it do? On the right side I moved the hole higher ( will gravity help?) Covered the holes with duct tape. I don't mind experimenting. Maybe I'm an idiot. What a great car this has been, but I'm getting sore on my knees, i might just sell her. I'm I Roll.

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 20 Aug 2010, 06:23

Can't blame you for trying...HOWEVER!!!...The bearings in the motor are floating "oilite" bushings and need light oil, not grease...Since you did a boring job, try spraying WD-40 in there with the supplied straw, it will be better than grease...Try hard to hit the motor shaft...

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Aug 2010, 12:45

Try hard to hit the motor shaft...

.....and it may stop squawking for a week!

However, against all the odds I stopped my 850 motor squealing by getting some silicone based oil into the bearing 4 years ago but that one is easy to get out so I could hit the right spot.

Bill.