NOISY blower motor - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1goos4u · #1 01-07-2010, 12:21 AM

My blower motor is getting pretty bad, and has been pretty bad for a few years now actually (I hardly drive the car, especially in winter), but I need to do something about this. It makes a loud squealing/chirping noise when it is on any speed. I tried taking it out, cleaning it and lubricating it, but that did not really help much. Do I need to bite the bullet and get a new blower motor or can I take it apart and lubricate it? I assume there are bearings in there that are probably bad but not 100% sure. I tried to search the topic but didn't find anything relating to the W123. Mine is an '82 240d btw. Thanks!

moon161 · #2 01-07-2010, 01:09 AM

I rebrushed mine, it wasn't horrible inside. If you get a replacement, send a pic, there are a couple variants out there, bolt circles and rotor sizes are not the same.

Stevo · #3 01-07-2010, 10:48 AM

Many times new brushes will fix things. I have used "appliance' brushes from the hardware store which can be whittled down to fit, consequently they are soft and wont last as long as the real thing. There was a fellow by the name of George Murphy that sold blower motor brushes, do a search, hes probably still be around.

Maki · #4 01-07-2010, 11:14 AM

I think Igoos4u is on the right track looking at the bearings as the source of the noise. Unfortunately, the Bosch (or is it Behr?) motors have bronze bearings, which don't respond to lubrication that well. They may respond to a good cleaning.

I recall Dr. Booth recommending that the bearing be heated somewhat and then bathed in Automatic transmission fluid. He did suggest that the bearing might absorb some of the oil, but I think the idea was mostly to clean the crud out.

Should you decide to replace the motor, Goose, you may want to look for a used Siemens motor rather than the "B" brand. They had much better brushes.

I saw this thread on a competing site: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1466795-blower-motor-kaput.html

No affiliation, etc.

Good to see your post, Stevo!

Stevo · #5 01-07-2010, 11:21 AM

I seem to remember paying around $20 for the brushes from George Murphy a few years ago.

1goos4u · #6 01-07-2010, 02:41 PM

I'll try to get the motor out again tomorrow and see if I can get it apart and inspect it. With luck maybe I can get it cleaned out. I know the fan blades were filthy so probably the whole thing is the same way, including inside the bearing. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks again.

charmalu · #7 01-07-2010, 10:22 PM

I think it was JIMMYL that did a write up on repairing his motor. he shows a step by step taking it apart as I remember.

Charlie

MBZ123 · #8 01-08-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1goos4u

My blower motor is getting pretty bad, and has been pretty bad for a few years now actually (I hardly drive the car, especially in winter), but I need to do something about this. It makes a loud squealing/chirping noise when it is on any speed. I tried taking it out, cleaning it and lubricating it, but that did not really help much. Do I need to bite the bullet and get a new blower motor or can I take it apart and lubricate it? I assume there are bearings in there that are probably bad but not 100% sure. I tried to search the topic but didn't find anything relating to the W123. Mine is an '82 240d btw. Thanks!

As mentioned earlier, if there's no noise almost certainly the brushes are toast. Found me a practically new pair inside the auxilliary fan (that one staring at your...well you know what...when you open the hood,) motor on a 126 body, with braided leads and same size to boot!

Same fans on many other models as well, including your own. My aux. fan was due for brushes, too.

FNHB

WOW! Hullarious. Looks like I qouted wrong post, crazy late night last night. Completely disregarded info on squealing noise.
Exiting stage RIGHT NOW!

FNHB

pawoSD · #9 01-08-2010, 07:08 AM

Squealing would lead me to believe the bearings are shot. Check the amount of play in the shaft. Re-brushing does not always revive them. The one on my car was extra-shot when I took it out about 5 years ago. I just replaced the whole thing. Its been perfect every time since then.

1goos4u · #10 01-13-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I think it was JIMMYL that did a write up on repairing his motor. he shows a step by step taking it apart as I remember.

Charlie

I sent him a PM asking if he could send me a link to his write up. I got the motor out but haven't had a chance to take it apart yet. It wobbles pretty bad. I may have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

tobybul · #11 01-13-2010, 03:25 PM

when u take it out, drop some oil on the motor end of the shaft. mine was doing that too but it wa mainly because the brushes were worn and the motor speed was slow due to worn brushes. I replaced the brushes and since the motor speed is normal now, the noise is gone.

1goos4u · #12 01-13-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1goos4u

I sent him a PM asking if he could send me a link to his write up. I got the motor out but haven't had a chance to take it apart yet. It wobbles pretty bad. I may have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

You know what, this is a lot easier than I expected and the right up isnt' necessary. So please no one go searching for me for an hour. My motor is black with filth and soot, etc. plus the brushes are worn out. I will find a place (I suppose I'll try an Ace hardware as suggested on the other forum)and lubricate the heck out of the shaft. Maybe if I'm lucky....

tobybul · #13 01-13-2010, 09:17 PM

check your pm

1goos4u · #14 01-14-2010, 12:56 AM

Thanks for everything folks. I took apart the blower tonight, got it all cleaned and lubricated. The brushes were fine, they had a good half inch left on each of them. Almost looked like they may have been done at some point. However, the 'squirrel cage' as it is called, or the plastic cylinder with fan blades on it, wobbles considerably, and when in one certain spot, will rub on the outer edge of the motor itself. So I'm pretty sure the bearings are shot or something is broken internally. I tried to punch the shaft of the motor out from the squirrel cage, but it did not take very well and just made marks on the very end of the motor shaft. I think my plan now is to find one at a local yard. One of the local spots has like 8 w123s but they are pricey on parts. We'll see. I need this part to work though, it's driving me crazy with the squealing.

sasquatchgeoff · #15 01-14-2010, 02:39 AM

Mine was squealing, chirping, and finally bit the dust. Took it out and the fan shaft was seized to the motor/brushes. What a mess. Found a good used assembly out of a 190E right here on the forum. Nothing like blowing heat in the Wintertime!