240 AC/air flow Help!

Foreverfabfour · Post by **Foreverfabfour** » 14 Oct 2019, 19:20

Hello,
I have a 1992 Volvo 240 which has been in our families ownership since new. After all these years (and miles) the air conditioning blower motor finally gave out and we recently had it replaced by a local repair shop. Previous to the repair, air was evenly coming out of all four events. Now after the repair air is only coming out of the center two vents and the footwell diverter and defrost don’t work as well.

Can any other 240 owners confirm that air should be coming out of all four events? The shop owner seems to believe that air only coming out of the center vents is normal. Please respond below! Any and all info would be helpful for me to show the shop owner.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Oct 2019, 21:56

OEM blower or aftermarket? Many aftermarket blowers do not have the power of the OEM blower.

Foreverfabfour · Post by **Foreverfabfour** » 14 Oct 2019, 22:05

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑14 Oct 2019, 21:56 OEM blower or aftermarket? Many aftermarket blowers do not have the power of the OEM blower.

He installed an aftermarket blower. When he goes back into examine the problem do you suggest I ask him to switch it out for a factory blower motor and play the extra money?

Post by **jimmy57** » 14 Oct 2019, 22:25

The air comes out of all four dash face vents. The blower drives two blower wheels, a left and a right. Each blower wheel has an individual housing. All the ducts attach to those L and R blower housings. I recall a guy in the shop I worked with swapping the L and R blower wheels and it had low air volume but the center vents with the shortest run and largest openings and those two blew OK. My guess is they goofed. There may be other ways to mess up but I never messed up replacing one or recall other errors others made at that dealer. We did A LOT of warranty 240 blower motors as the mid 80s 240 models were notorious for squealing.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Oct 2019, 22:53

Foreverfabfour wrote: ↑14 Oct 2019, 22:05 When he goes back into examine the problem do you suggest I ask him to switch it out for a factory blower motor and play the extra money?

You need to answer that yourself, OEM is $350.00 - $500.00 depending on where it is sourced. Can't say what his markup would be. Volvo part number is 9131943.

You might show him Jimmy's comment and go from there.

Foreverfabfour · Post by **Foreverfabfour** » 14 Oct 2019, 23:29

jimmy57 wrote: ↑14 Oct 2019, 22:25 The air comes out of all four dash face vents. The blower drives two blower wheels, a left and a right. Each blower wheel has an individual housing. All the ducts attach to those L and R blower housings. I recall a guy in the shop I worked with swapping the L and R blower wheels and it had low air volume but the center vents with the shortest run and largest openings and those two blew OK. My guess is they goofed. There may be other ways to mess up but I never messed up replacing one or recall other errors others made at that dealer. We did A LOT of warranty 240 blower motors as the mid 80s 240 models were notorious for squealing.

Jimmy, HUGE thanks! I will show the technician this. Defiantly a big help in regards to what could be causing the issue.

Foreverfabfour · Post by **Foreverfabfour** » 14 Oct 2019, 23:34

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑14 Oct 2019, 22:53
Foreverfabfour wrote: ↑14 Oct 2019, 22:05 When he goes back into examine the problem do you suggest I ask him to switch it out for a factory blower motor and play the extra money?
You need to answer that yourself, OEM is $350.00 - $500.00 depending on where it is sourced. Can't say what his markup would be. Volvo part number is 9131943.

You might show him Jimmy's comment and go from there.

I’m not opposed to paying the extra cash. But before I do I would just like to know your opinion on an OEM vs. Aftermarket motor. Does the OEM part have superior build quality or does it provide more air? If I’m going to swap it out I would like to do it now while the dash is apart and I’m not being charged for it haha! Heaven forbid I have to pay for this all again in a few years

Thanks for your help!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 15 Oct 2019, 00:20

OEM will produce the same air flow as when the car rolled off the factory floor, providing everything else is in good working condition (Seals, controls, dampers ect..) . Durability and longevity would be the same as the original motor.

Aftermarket is a crap shot in terms of air flow, Durability and longevity. Some brands better then others. It a question of how you want to wage your bet.

If that car is a family heirloom prized by the younger generations, OEM maybe the way to go so many more generations can enjoy it.