Clean that AC / Heater Blower

[flintknapper]

Thanks I got the debris out but didn't have the time or patience to remove the fan assembly piece. Even with the debris out it still makes a whisking sound. Assume that's part of the territory on the 80 Series? Wonder if an aftermarket motor would cut that noise down?

The blower in my 80 series is noticeably louder than in my LX470....but I simply can't say how it compares to anyone else's. I would expect a new (replacement) blower would at least give you the best chance of having the least noise and best operation.

They are relatively inexpensive....so considering it's an awkward area to work in, replacement might make the most sense. I was able to clean mine, lubricate and reinstall, but mine was not very dirty at all..

 

[LXstalker]

OK...did this today. Did not find so much as a leaf in it. A little dusty but that was all.

Every once in awhile...my blower motor would make a squeaking sound on low speed (just for a moment).

So...figured I might as well have a look at it and see if there was any way to oil the motor bushings.

Took me about 30 minutes to get the thing out (I'm WAY too big to be cramming myself between the front seat and dash. Used a flashlight and a mirror to locate the screws. After getting it out and messing with the fan wheel...I determined that it was NOT going to come off without me breaking it.

So....I decided to drill a small inspection hole in it....just large enough to be able to see the motor shaft. Figured I could let drops of oil run down the shaft to the front bushing (no way to access the rear one).
That actually seemed to have worked. So far...no more squeaking/chirping noise on low speed. We will see how it does long term.

View attachment 1754936

Thanks for the info, what type of oil did you use?

 

[flintknapper]

Thanks for the info, what type of oil did you use?

Militec-1 gun oil.

 

[LXstalker]

Militec-1 gun oil.

Cool, thanks. I ended up taking the spring clamp off and pulling off the plastic fan, then took off various washers to hopefully get it well lubricated. Hopefully this will do the trick.

 

[flintknapper]

Cool, thanks. I ended up taking the spring clamp off and pulling off the plastic fan, then took off various washers to hopefully get it well lubricated. Hopefully this will do the trick.

Good deal. I absolutely could not get my fan blade to budge. The bearings in small DC fan motors is usually Sintered Bronze or Oilite. Oil impregnated. So when they go dry ... they can normally be 'refreshed' if caught before they gall.

 

[LXstalker]

Good deal. I absolutely could not get my fan blade to budge. The bearings in small DC fan motors is usually Sintered Bronze or Oilite. Oil impregnated. So when they go dry ... they can normally be 'refreshed' if caught before they gall.

It took a fair bit of persuasion, with a wood brush handle then pulled on it a fair amount. Let’s just say I was ready to buy a new fan motor if needed.

 

[flintknapper]

It took a fair bit of persuasion, with a wood brush handle then pulled on it a fair amount. Let’s just say I was ready to buy a new fan motor if needed.

No fear....I like that.

 

[NomadEffect]

We had all kinds of issues with our FJ62. ℹ has to create a new air intake but the whole fan and AC assembly was full of leaves.
Check our adventure:
if anyone comes up with a more efficient fan solution for the FJ62 id be the 1st customer.

 

[effjay80]

Cool, thanks. I ended up taking the spring clamp off and pulling off the plastic fan, then took off various washers to hopefully get it well lubricated. Hopefully this will do the trick.

So will the blade plastic fan part separate from the motor by removing that top clamp? This part now unobtanium but would like to take off the blades to soak and clean. Mine hideous.

Thanks.

 

[flintknapper]

In-Laws called me and said that on their Sequoia....each time they put the fan on 'high' there is a terrible vibration under the dash.

Gee.....I wonder why?

They live out in the Country and the vehicle sits for weeks at a time....not driven.

Mice love that.

 

[effjay80]

Might help someone in need but fyi to remove the plastic blade assembly from motor remove the top compression clamp from shaft then I used a taped flat bladed screwdriver inserted as shown and tapped with a mallet. Popped the blade part right off the shaft to allow cleaning and gives access to motor shaft to oil.

 

[flintknapper]

OK...did this today. Did not find so much as a leaf in it. A little dusty but that was all.

Every once in awhile...my blower motor would make a squeaking sound on low speed (just for a moment).

So...figured I might as well have a look at it and see if there was any way to oil the motor bushings.

Took me about 30 minutes to get the thing out (I'm WAY too big to be cramming myself between the front seat and dash. Used a flashlight and a mirror to locate the screws. After getting it out and messing with the fan wheel...I determined that it was NOT going to come off without me breaking it.

So....I decided to drill a small inspection hole in it....just large enough to be able to see the motor shaft. Figured I could let drops of oil run down the shaft to the front bushing (no way to access the rear one).

That actually seemed to have worked. So far...no more squeaking/chirping noise on low speed. We will see how it does long term.

View attachment 1754936

^^^^^^

Update: Well its been over 5 years now and still no squeaking, so we can call it 'successful' I suppose.

 

[effjay80]

Mine only had one lone pine needle in it but the entire blower was just caked in this fine rich black nasty petrified dust. I scrubbed it all off and now trying to bleach out the laundry tub. Might be related to the insane wildfire smoke a few years back.

The foam door liner and stripping was toast too so replacing all that.

Good fall project.

 

[effjay80]

Just an FYI the plastic blade part of the assembly is still available as 87105-20110. The only difference versus my 94 original is the new is slightly shorter. Same diameter and mounts the same and I perceive no difference in air flow. 15 minute swap to replace, easier than trying to clean old one, and allows access to shaft to oil.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

I'm doing this

 

[superjuice]

I had quite the mess in mine…I was wondering where all the hood insulation had gone! Sprayed a bunch of condenser cleaner in there followed by a ton of water to flush it out. FYI the windex bottle fits right up in there to dump in the water, it just pours back out the drain. Cleaned up pretty well I think. Didn’t someone make a metal mesh blocker of some sort to keep the rodents and debris out of the air handler?

 

[Marvelicious]

I had quite the mess in mine…I was wondering where all the hood insulation had gone! Sprayed a bunch of condenser cleaner in there followed by a ton of water to flush it out. FYI the windex bottle fits right up in there to dump in the water, it just pours back out the drain. Cleaned up pretty well I think. Didn’t someone make a metal mesh blocker of some sort to keep the rodents and debris out of the air handler?

View attachment 3657500

Damn! You might be in the lead on this one! @GPappas had what looked like about a quarter of a golden retriever stuffed in his, but yours looks like someone just tried to fill it with spray foam.

@Outsane makes a filter for the cowl side intake. I just ordered one and it looks pretty good for dust, but I don't know how it will stand up to persistent rodent attack. Now I'm considering adding a little stainless mesh to the outside before install.

 

[superjuice]

Damn! You might be in the lead on this one! @GPappas had what looked like about a quarter of a golden retriever stuffed in his, but yours looks like someone just tried to fill it with spray foam.

@Outsane makes a filter for the cowl side intake. I just ordered one and it looks pretty good for dust, but I don't know how it will stand up to persistent rodent attack. Now I'm considering adding a little stainless mesh to the outside before install.

Thanks, I’ll definitely be adding something like that. Bummer there’s no cabin filter to keep stuff out of the blower or at least the evaporator.

 

[Outsane]

@Marvelicious i do plan on making a stainless steel top to keep rodents out.


@superjuice my cabin filter will keep all that debris from going into the evap.

 

[richmondbob]

@Marvelicious i do plan on making a stainless steel top to keep rodents out.

Some stainless mesh on the underside would be useful, too. Rodents are persistent - ask me how I know