Heater Fan Chatters when Cold

[JerryBob]

When for a Xmas day run, when it is 24 degrees F. When I got back to the truck, I was hot so I turned on the fan, and the temp down to cold. I noticed that the fan made a chattering/chirping sound.

It went away when I turned the temperature up to hot.

I guess the lube on the fan is not mean for extreme cold temps.

Anyone else notice this? Any way to get to the fan in order add some lube? Or should I just roll down the windows when I am hot in the dead of winter....

 

[NHGUY]

Fan motors usually dont have bearings,they use bushings.Some howl badly when cold.Either its normal,or it will need replacing.

 

[Kruse]

Quite a few years ago, some heater motors had little access holes to allow grease or oil to be injected in to the bearings. I guess that cost too much to put on modern heater motors and if people lubed the bushings/bearings, they couldn't sell a new one. Now they are to be replaced only. I've got two vehicles that moan a little bit until they get warmed up. I've been putting it off, but I know that I need to replace both of them.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

Either its normal,or it will need replacing.


Way to go out on a limb. lol.

 

[AandPDan]

The HVAC systems I've seen have the blower upstream of the heater/evaporator core. It shouldn't matter what you did with the temp.

 

[Quest]

Either bushings need re-lubing, or commutator to brush having surface issues (needs truing, or dirt/grease got onto the contact surfaces, etc.)

Q.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: Quest
Either bushings need re-lubing, or commutator to brush having surface issues (needs truing, or dirt/grease got onto the contact surfaces, etc.)

Q.

+1 - it was the bushings on my old Torino's fan motor. They would squeal like crazy for the first 10 minutes or so and would eventually quieten down (some). I replaced it after 2 winters of listening to that racket.

 

[Eddie]

They use Sintered bearings/bushings into which oil is impregnated. When they start making noise it is time to replace usually.

 

[hsd]

I had a noisy fan motor with no oil lube slots, so in BITOG spirit, I pulled the motor, drilled a small hole, lubed the bushings and sealed it back up with some silicone. Still running quiet when I got rid if it.

 

[Smoky14]

Originally Posted By: hsd
I had a noisy fan motor with no oil lube slots, so in BITOG spirit, I pulled the motor, drilled a small hole, lubed the bushings and sealed it back up with some silicone. Still running quiet when I got rid if it.


Bravo my good man!~

 

[JerryBob]

I've got 6 months on the warranty, so I took it in and they gladly replaced it. They said that there was a TSB about it.

I guess I am on my own the next time.