W115 Ac fan squeaks

[billhard]

My AC fan is squeaking and I guess I should oil it. Can this be done without removing it from the housing? Should I use some special type of oil? I am assuming an aerosol oil is out to avoid the smell permeating the system.

[meltedpanda]

Which one , does you car have 2? early W115's all did
inside the cowl or inside the car ?
In the car , gotta remove the surroundings , then probably need to remove to oil , use ATF
outside, can try to drip AT into bearings using a straw method ( method outlined in the forum somewhere,I know I wrote one )

your sure the brushes are not the source of the noise?

[billhard]

I am talking about blower fan in the car. It looks like a major pain to remove it from the plastic housing. FSM calls for draining refrigerant from the AC system to do so. I was hoping someone had been able to lubricate it in place.

[meltedpanda]

if you can get to it, try dripping ATF into the bearings using a straw or similar

[Faultlessfrank]

I have just replaced the AC blower fan on my '73 220D. It is a pain but you do not need to drain the system or remove the entire evaporator to get to the fan. I'd say that it is not possible to get to the bearings to put any oil on them with out opening the evaporator but you don't need to remove it. It is so much work that you might want to consider replacing the fan while you're in there.

Here's what I did (use at your own risk):

Remove the center console, noting and marking any wires and vacuum hoses you need to disconnect (you will probably need to disconnect most of them)

There are two black support arms on either side (on the top they connect to the same bold that held the console in place) - remove the top bolts and pull them forward a bit. (this might be optional if you're only trying to open it a bit to get to the motor bearings)

Move all of the wires and hoses that come over the top of the evaporator to one side (most will go to the drivers side - a few will go to the passengers side)

The evaporator is held together by these metal clips - they are somewhat difficult to manipulate. There are two on the very top (difficult to get at), two or three on each side (I forget) and three in the center bottom. After you remove them you will be able to open it enough to see inside and to oil the bearings.

NOTE: there are 4 rings - 2 on the outside and 2 on the inside - these fit into a particular grove. If you dislodge them you must get them back into that grove before you reassemble or they will rattle around and rub the fan.

NOTE 2: there is a bolt behind the motor and it look as if it holds the motor in place - it does not - it holds the bottom bracket for the motor; don't mess with it because it is difficult to get tight again (voice of experience talking here).