Like a lot of other people on this site my heater fan has developed an annoying high pitched squeal telling me it needs replacing. Any web-sites have instructions? Anyone have time estimates? (I checked Bay13 but they don't seem to have this repair listed, surprising based on how often I read about this problem.)

Paul H

I squirted some motorcycle chain lube from an aerosol can with a nozzle tube onto the motor bearings and the squeak has been gone for a year now. It took two tries - the first time I didn't get enough lube onto the bearings. You have to work blind on the cage side bearing and rely on the length of the nozzle tube and gravity to get the foamy lube into the bearing.

Paul,

Ray had posted the instruction. I removed the glove box compartment first, lower panel second and then knee bolster last. The most time cosuming part was to take out the knee bolster. After the 3 13mm nuts were removed, I had to play around with the bolster especially the left side of it in order to get it out. Putting it back was no problem at all. When I did mine, I didn't disconnect the battery. I bought mine replacement from Borton Volvo for about $142 plus $5 shipping. The replacement came with motor and cage.

Ching-Ho Cheng

Thanks for your help guys, I hope to put this off until it is a bit warmer out, but I will have to do it eventually.

Jake - I like this car, but it sure has a lot of little problems, way more than my 88 760 wagon. e.g. seat heater element, engine mount (upper), wipers seized (in a snow storm of course), headlamp wipers don't work right, windshield spray check valve quit, 'freon' leaks, dash bulbs have burned out, and the carpet glue stinks in the hot weather. For a car in this price range I have way too many problems.

I disagree with your dealer, no way that the temperature will affect a $2.00 bearing like that, it is on its way out and you should expect to replace it shortly.

Has anyone looked at replacing the bearing rather than buyinf a new motor?

PH

Ijust did mine. Quite easy. Parts were $140 shipped from
volvoparts.com (you will have to call to order). Order
the assembly with the cage (not just the motor).

Disconnect battery

Remove glove box.

Remove lower panel.

(You may have to remove panel to remove box, or vice bersa, I forget).

Remove knee bolster.

Blower is behind glove box. Unbolt and drop it down. Replace
with new unit.

Re-connect battery

Test.

Re-assemble. Be careful of putting it all back well or you
introduce rattles.

Re- program radio codes.

You need torx screw driver and 13mm socket (as I recall).

Took me less then an hour.

Interesting, I have a 97 also. I usually garage it. Then one day this past week I left it outside when the temperature fell to about 20 degrees, and when I turned on the heater, it squealed like a stuck pig. I shut it off and came back later when it was warm and the squeal was gone. Asked the dealer about this. He said that the bearings on the fan contract when they get cold-thus the squealing, and expand when warm. I have had no problem since. I leave the car in the garage at night when parked. He said that the fan could go in 1 month to 2 years and costs about $400 at the dealer to replace. He also mentioned that it takes a while to do the job. I was considering doing it myself, that is why I asked.

What model is yours? How do you like it?

850-R

Jake, it is pretty easy to do. See my above post.

That repair is still on my computer I need to get it to Charles so it can be posted, maybe by this weekend if things remain slow at work.
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Rich K.