what is the main culprit of this problem. The noise comes at any speed setting. I believe it to be the motor bearings. But any ideas would appreciated.

What model?

Some models have squeaking heater fans (such as the W201, the W124 and the W202). Sometimes it can be fixed by greasing the fan bearings, sometimes it will end up renewing the fan...

greetingz,

Your fan motor is toast. I have gone all the way in there to just grease it upand it only lasted a month or two. Get the motor and do it right the first time. Its only a couple of hundred and you will feel good about your car again.

Good Luck!

Thanks mbenz. The model is 201 it is an 86 190e 16v. Do you think I could pop the old bearings and replace them with new ones? It is a pain in the neck to get to the assembly, I would rather replace them instead of just lube them. I will check out Fastlane prices on these fans. I hope they are not too pricy.

86 2.3-16

Alex, My w201 has had the same issue. The dealer (done with those guys what a bunch of hacks) did me a favor of hacking up the plastic shroud around the motor and not snapping back in place the spring steel pieces that hold the shroud together. It is not that difficult to see if the plastic shroud is installed correctly. If you are going to the trouble, I would replace the motor. The one in my w201 is still factory with 203,600 miles, so I doubt the bearings are the issue.

Just so you know in Fastlane the Behr unit is complete with the Fan and the Bosch unit is just the motor.

Yeah, its a pain to get all of the fasteners around that shroud back in place. I also did the job on an '87 300E. Its the same idea of taking a section of the fire wall, and the wiper assembly out. If you get it wrong , you'll ahve motor noise, heat, smell from the bay into the cockpit.

You cant readily get the bearings separately. The /rebuilt/replacement/new unit is complete with fan rotor, bearings etc.

Thank you all for your ideas. I think I am going to lube the bearings with auto transmission fluid and see if how long it is going to last since the Behr motor costs $250 which I think a little pricy. Thank you all again

86 2.3-16 black 5spd and love it

While you are in there, you could plumb a thin hose to the bearings so that when they start to squeal again, you can just pump a little more lube down in there. :) Seriously, I would replace it. It WILL come back as soon as the lube is gone. The noise comes from the worn bearings, not because they just don't have any lube.

Another idea?
 

Alex,

Try to find a used part from a wrecker/used parts house.

Also try using oil w/ teflon. It's amazing how well it lubes but, as the group as warned, it WILL come back again. Also if the bearing are very worn, then the 'lube' may not work at all! Radio Shack makes a teflon embeded oil, PN 64-2301A. Give it a shot!

Hey Q, That is not a bad idea with a hose connect to a squork gun ready whenever needed.