air condition - interior fan/blower noise?

[2001ultima]

I checked the forum extensively for previous postings and solutions to my problem but do not see any others with this issue.

A/C is working and blowing cold; however, there is a problem with the fan/blower. The noise is loud, almost like the fan blade is hitting the side as it spins. You can't use speed 2 or 3 because it gets worse and sounds damaging. When I do turn to level two it sounds as though the motor is spinning like a sewing machine with the blade not spinning.

I haven't done any troubleshloting because it is difficult to get to the fan and motor.
Has anyone had this issue?
Can the assembly be removed, it looks like the a/c assembly may not be able to be removed due to the car framing?

Thanks, Jim

[Graham-P]

Have you removed the fan shrouds at either end of the blower, these tend to work loose and jam the fans.

Have a look at Stigs site for pictures of what I mean, Its in the build diary look at June 05
http://www.ultima-canam.info/index.htm

Graham

[Steve_D]

It will be the shrouds on either end.
Had a similar problem with mine and had to re-align them and glue them in place.

Steve

[2001ultima]

Thank you. This weekend i'll work my way under the dash to take a closer look.

Do you know if the assembly is removable?

I'll attempt to fix it in place, but it would be good to know if there is room to remove if necessary.

Thx
Jim

[Paul.B]

I doubt it will be removable. It may depend on what else the builder has placed up under there. A little tip for you! Take your mobile phone in there with you! That way you can call for help when it dawns on you that you are actually stuck!!

Good luck

[V8Dom]

also check that there are no loose bits in there too...

Dom

[k wright]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new car.
Looking forward to seeing photos.

[UltimaCH]

Nice pics via the link under your name.

[2001ultima]

Update: I haven't been able to apply a fix but I have put my hand up against one side of the AC interior blower fan shroud and the noise did go away. The other side still made noise. So it does look like what I need to do is tighten/glue the shroud. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully this is all I need to do.

Contorting my body under the dash is a challenge. I'll keep you posted.

The only other concern is when I go to speed two or three, then it almost sounds like the fan motor and fan are slipping, like the fan axle is spinning faster then the fan. But let me look into it more, it could be the shroud.

[2001ultima]

This is the problem. Now I need to find out if the blower blades can be replaced while installed.

[k wright]

no way to replace just the missing parts. It is likely that your motor bearings are worn and have allowed the fan to get close enough to the shroud to cause this damage. I don't have A/C but think that you should be able to remove the blower. I think that is the next step. It is going to be hard.

Email the factory for advice and include the photo above.

[Steve_D]

Only the factory can tell you if a replacement fan can be sourced. I believe the part you featured is a one piece moulding. It is either secured to the shaft with grub screws or has a spring clip around the plastic giving it a press fit onto the shaft.
In either case the cowling encloses the fan drum such that the drum cannot be removed from the shaft without first opening the cowl. I doubt this can be done in situ. You may be able to grind away the lip on the cowl allowing the drum to come off the shaft. The fan will not be quite as efficient afterwards.

No matter what you are in for a long spell upside down under the dash. Don't forget to take your mobile phone in there with you.

Steve