Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 3/2017 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

Sometimes, when I turn my blower on to high, something makes a sound that is sort of like a kazoo. I'm hoping it's not the blower motor, but there are ~250K miles on the car so I imagine it might be ready to go. Nonetheless, it sounds more like it's coming from higher up in the dash, and it might be air passing by something that it shouldn't be passing. This doesn't happen all that often, and is more common on freezing cold days in the dead of winter. Once the car warms up the noise goes away, and I can run the blower on any speed without a problem. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is that indeed the sign of a failing blower motor?








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

    Before you start tearing stuff apart and going for the expensive repairs, have you thought about the fact that there might just be a leaf or a small twig that got sucked up through the cowl vent and is now caught in the blower fan? Seems to me to be the most likely problem, especially since it only buzzes at high fan speed.

    Don't ask me how I know.....or how much it cost me to find out.

    B








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

      It doesn't really sound like there is anything making direct contact with anything else, really the sound seems like air being pushed through a tight space making something vibrate, like when you make a blade of grass into a whistle, or , well, a kazoo. Still, I'll certainly get in there and have a look around.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

    I'm afraid that it is likely the onset of a failing fan motor. Sorry!
    --
    1966 122s, 1968 142s, 1969 144s, 1979 245dl, 1989 244gl








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

      No it just needs oil.

      Get a small 1/16 ID teflon tubing or similar and dangle it into the airbox from the front vents. Feed 3-in-1 oil or ATF down onto the bearings at the left and right sides of the box where the blower wheels are mounted to the shaft. It takes a long time to drip enough oil and get it where it needs to be. Wiggle the tube around until you hit the shaft and keep it there for an hour, it'll work it's way in.

      My '91 245 started the Kazoo noise about 230k miles. I'm now at 340k miles and it's as quiet as a mouse. BTW, the noise can be the blower wheel against the housing, but that's much louder, and often jams and doesn't spin at that point, and then you will need a new motor w/bearings.

      FYI, I drilled a hole in the airbox and mounted the tube permanently on a '78 242 GT which worked great, dripped the oil once a year or so, never went bad on me. In fact since I did my first airbox blower motor about 30 yrs ago, it was the last one I will ever do again, as this procedure makes the motors last as long as the car.

      PS don't be tempted to spray WD-40 as it's not oil and will wash away any oil or grease left in the bearings and then dry up and really squeal.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

        Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

        I'm definitely going to try this.

        Is it something that you do basically by feel, without seeing what's in there, or is there a way to see in there? If I take the vents out maybe?








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Kazoo sound when the blower is on high 200 1991

          If you really feel energetic take the airbox side cover off. There's clips around the perimiter, acessable after removing the ducts and side panel. Only one side needs to come off, passenger is easiest.
          Or take front duct off that feeds both vents and you can see it below.
          But otherwise just getting it down the vents you can envision where it needs to go, and can feel the shaft.







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.