I have an old '87 740 GLE station wagon which has many issues, but I think the most annoying at the moment is the fan. When I turn it on (e.g. to 4, full) it makes an awful squealing. When I turn it on only to 1, it will mostly not make noise, just once in awhile a squeal. I assume this is the fan either unbalanced, or rubbing against the casing, or something like that.

I am not particularly experienced working in cars, so I don't really know what the easiest way is to properly diagnose the issue. Is there an simple way to open the dash, or is there a better way to find the fan/the cause?

Thanks!

 

Your fan's is approaching retirement age, and it needs to be replaced which is not expensive or difficult.

Passenger side under dash area. Remove plastic panel (two plastic screws, turn quarter turn, pull panel out. On the right side facing up there is a round housing containing the motor. Several screws hold it in place, one of which is a little challenging to get to. Once out, the motor has a couple of bearings (source of squeal) which can be lubed to extend their life but this usually is only a short temporary relief. Just get a new motor. Doesn't even have to be Volvo as several other cars use the same part except for the plug which can be spliced.

 

That is a lot simpler than I thought, thanks!

How would I go about finding a (cheap) correct size motor? Will it have a specific part number for which I should look?

 

the cheap aftermarket motor is :
Heater Blower Fan Motor

the actual Volvo part was PN 3537854, but appears to be NLA.

 

Actually there is even cheaper... Just go to Autozone, Napa, etc. Chevy Citation motors fit...

 

Great! I will probably be able to open and check out the fan within the next few days (Thanksgiving break is coming up for me soon, so I will have a bit more time). Then I can see if the current motor wheel is still workable, of if it needs replacing too.

 

Would this be the correct part to replace the motor, if the wheel is fine? NAPA AUTO PARTS

 

Sure, as long as it fits... You'd have to splice the plug in.

 

I'd as soon get the IPD one that drops in no hassle. saving $30 and having to wrestle with transplanting a 30 year old plastic fan onto the new 'cheaper' motor AND fake up the connections, ugh. time is money.

 

A little challenging...I don't even understand how to get something behind the motor to unscrew it! I got 5 of the 6 screws out, but that last one is trouble. I tried removing the side panel, etc., but it didn't help.

Any suggestions?

 

Yeah, that's true... Last time I used a longish 1/4 inch extension with the 7mm?... And some swearing helps. Putting it back you can leave that one off.

 

Well, I haven't had time for a number of weeks, but today I finally managed to get that screw off. I used a universal joint and a couple of extensions, which helped a lot.

[[[Now it is loose, however the rubber tube from the back is still attached. I can't see behind the motor where it attaches to the motor or actual vehicle, so I don't know how it is connected, and I don't want to destroy it. How do I remove it?]]]
EDIT: I figured it out.

Thanks again for your help so far!

 

Just a quick update: After getting the fan out, I figured it wouldn't hurt to try oiling the bearings, before buying a new motor. It is currently running pretty smoothly after the oil, so I guess I will just have to see if it lasts through the winter...

 

It will last for a time... No way telling how long exactly.