[///ajd]

I have a noisy aircon fan. Squeek is proportional to fan speed, and is noisier under braking.

Sounds like the bearings in the fan are shot.

So -

a) where / how much for a new fan?
b) how big a ball ache is it to replace? I've got the "replaced an E46 hedgehog" medal, but hoping its easier than that!

If someone could post some snapshots from TIS that would be great - my copy no longer works on 64 bit Windows

[jinjur]

1. Pollen filter out
2. WD40 and associated straw
3. Spray at the rusty fan centre for a bit
4. Let it soak in
5. Enjoy a silent fan and a pish *rotten smell in your car

* i like it though




Worked for me

[Dr Dave]

As he says.....^ will work a treat and cost nothing.

[///ajd]

Originally Posted by jinjur

1. Pollen filter out
2. WD40 and associated straw
3. Spray at the rusty fan centre for a bit
4. Let it soak in
5. Enjoy a silent fan and a pish *rotten smell in your car

* i like it though




Worked for me

Thats a good idea. Thanks. I take it the smell goes away quickly?!?

[///ajd]

Top tip Jinjur - thanks!

Worked a treat.

Pics:

1. Mircofilter removed - 6 x 8mm hex bolts (how dealers dare charge more than £30 to do this (inc parts) beggars belief).


2. Zoom in on right hand vent


3. Further zoom (red box shows next picture)


4. Here you can make out the fan behind the vent - complete with rusty bolt in the centre. Quick squirt of WD40 through its straw straight onto the fan. I had the fan on high speed with all the windows open.



Smelled a bit, but WD40 doesn't smell too bad. After 1hr or so driving, hardly smells at all now.

Most importantly = NO SQUEEKING! Result.

[willhollin]

I'd have used white lithium grease, WD40 is very thin and won't last long.

[///ajd]

Originally Posted by willhollin

I'd have used white lithium grease, WD40 is very thin and won't last long.

I'd agree - but access is not really very good - look at the first pic - that fan is really buried. I'm not sure its really the rusty bolt bit that is the issue - I think this works as the WD40 is able to penetrate a number of bits of the fan assembly.

PS when does your 1M arrive?

[jinjur]

Hey Will....

I think WD gives it all it needs tbh....I dont think lithium grease would penetrate as well either although if you could actually get at it, lithium would probably be better.

And another Jinjur top tip, I naffled 3 of the wee straws that you get with WD40 and used heat shrink to connect them together to give a reach of about 35 or 40 cms.

Makes it much easier and also is easily reversible.



I did mine about a year ago and still no squeaky deeky

J

[sixpot]

Will have to give this a bash, as mine is driving me nuts! (seems worse on lower fan speeds and when braking like mentioned above)

[///ajd]

go for it.

it only takes 5 minutes - and when you do it you'll think - "I wish I had done that months ago!"

[EQUANT]

Just noticed this noise in my car today. It's present when cold, at low fan speed (goes away if speed is increased) and under braking.
Will execute the WD-40 procedure asap. Did you spray the WD-40 while fan was turned on or off?

[penport]

Did mine the other day - with the fan on - couldn't find a tiny WD40 straw so just sprayed it straight from the can in the general direction of the rusty bit - worked a treat

[EQUANT]

Just got out of the house and did it to mine, also. I sprayed with the fan off, using the thin straw from WD-40 spray can. Then i started the fan for a few seconds, stopped and sprayed some more.
So far it seems to have worked, but i will wait until tomorrow when it will be frozen again (-20*C announced tonight )

ps: mine also had the rusted bolt in the center, although i noticed it had some sort of 'cover' over that part (probably to avoid water from pouring directly on the bolt). Don't think the actual bolt is the problem; more likely the motor shaft/ shaft sleeve + slight rust on them.

[sixpot]

I ended up taking the whole fan assembly out from the dash so I could get some spray chain lube onto the bearing.Hopefully this should keep any water from re-entering it.
Put a couple of squirts of plus gas in it first mind to stop the squeak.
Job took about 30 mins, so not too bad, and because you are spraying right onto the bearing itself. And not the fan itself, hardly any smell could be noticed on start-up.

[EQUANT]

Originally Posted by EQUANT

So far it seems to have worked, but i will wait until tomorrow when it will be frozen again (-20*C announced tonight )

Well, noise is gone now. That was easy enough to do.
Thanks for the good info guys!

[magic77]

Worked a treat used some GT lubricant as smells not as strong as ED40 and on low speeds its now silent

[Brian mc21]

Originally Posted by willhollin

I'd have used white lithium grease, WD40 is very thin and won't last long.

Are you talking about lubricating the fan on the car or your nether regions Will.

[335DEE]

for my trick , i used a longish screwdriver and some 3-in-1 oil . Place screwdriver on rusty bit you want to lube , squirt oil onto screwdriver shaft , let gravity take over. Jobs a goodun

[sixpot]

Originally Posted by o0timbo0o

for my trick , i used a longish screwdriver and some 3-in-1 oil . Place screwdriver on rusty bit you want to lube , squirt oil onto screwdriver shaft , let gravity take over. Jobs a goodun

I like that!