getting at the heater fan

[DancingBear]

I've got a dead fan, and have stripped the dash down to try and get at it. But how do I actually get at the fan? I don't want to poke at things, do the wrong thing and break something.

Currently, what I've got looks like this (pic taken from the wiki on this website)


What the wiki says isn't very clear to me, a novice, so anything that gives a better explanation will be hugely appreciated.

(Because the van is in bits and this is my daily transport , I need to get a wriggle on - so anything anyone can tell me will be useful. If you need more info from me, ask away).

[DancingBear]

i've come to the conclusion that the fan housing has been glued together - there's no way in hell that's coming apart short of me smashing it.

So that's me with no heater fan forever.

[nicktennear]

You need to prise it open if you don't have one with clips. I used a broad screwdriver and managed to avoid cracking it. The wiki explains it well enough. After lowering the dash and steering you'll have achieved a Zen like patience to do it.

[kevtherev]

man up and get the screwdriver out

judicially

plastic can be repaired up to a point...be brave

[DancingBear]

i got a screw driver out. I even got a hacksaw out, and tried sawing down the middle of the three tabs down the left-hand side of the unit (as shown in the photo). Whatever has been used to stick the two pieces together ain't shifting by either method.

For those of you saying it's easy enough: there's £100 with you name on if you succeed in doing it (I'll strip the dash down for you to try).

[dansimpson]

I "very carefully" used a stanley blade as a chisel. They will come apart!Once you get it started, then it becomes easier (a bit) but just take yer time.
(I accept no responsibility for cut / missing fingers etc from anyone attempting to use any sharp object)

[DancingBear]

just to double-check I'm not being a complete numptie, I've marked in red on the pic below where I think the unit should split apart.

Can someone please confirm if this is right or not?

[ghost123uk]

Watching this thread with interest as I will have to do this before next winter

[rubarb]

just to double-check I'm not being a complete numptie, I've marked in red on the pic below where I think the unit should split apart.

Can someone please confirm if this is right or not?

That's it.
In mine the clips were not much use as the casing seemed to be sealed. Be patient and mind your fingers I nearly lost my hand .
If I have to replace the fan again I will pay good money to someone or stay cold.

[DancingBear]

That's it.
In mine the clips were not much use as the casing seemed to be sealed. Be patient and mind your fingers I nearly lost my hand .
If I have to replace the fan again I will pay good money to someone or stay cold.

Thanks for confirming that I was trying to split the right bit.

And thanks for confirming that it's job that'll never be sorted. .... I can't see how anyone can get it sorted when it's fixed together as solidly as mine is unless they smashed the whole thing off and replaced all of the heater unit - which is a job I'd guess would cost an absolute packet.

[bertieT25]

hmm... I was going to look at mine this weekend as it is making the worst screeching noise ever, but it works!

looks so easy in the haynes manual!

might just have to leave it if it is that difficult

[ghost123uk]

hmm... I was going to look at mine this weekend as it is making the worst screeching noise ever, but it works!

looks so easy in the haynes manual!

might just have to leave it if it is that difficult

There are a few posts on here where folks have done this job - might be worth a hunt around for both of you.

Bertie, do you know about the "drill a hole in from behind the front grill and get some grease on the bearing" trick ? - I did it as a temporary measure when mine was screeching and it is still working 4 months later, though now starting to sound a bit dodgy again, as I say, only a temporary cure really, but dead easy to do

[bertieT25]

hmm... I was going to look at mine this weekend as it is making the worst screeching noise ever, but it works!

looks so easy in the haynes manual!

might just have to leave it if it is that difficult

There are a few posts on here where folks have done this job - might be worth a hunt around for both of you.

Bertie, do you know about the "drill a hole in from behind the front grill and get some grease on the bearing" trick ? - I did it as a temporary measure when mine was screeching and it is still working 4 months later, though now starting to sound a bit dodgy again, as I say, only a temporary cure really, but dead easy to do

hmmm, I have not heard about the 'dill the hole from behind ' trick

had a look on the wiki and found the info there. Thanks for the pointer!

thanks,

Chris

[dansimpson]

Try splitting at one of the tabs first.
Also, I did mine a few months ago, it's fine for now
But considering it took me 5 hrs to take it out and 2 hrs to put it back, and I broke the clip on the speedo cable while doing it, I really wish 'd spent £35 ish on a new motor rather than a lub job that may or may not see me through next winter. So you might want to consider yer option when you do get it undone.
Good luck, and be careful with that speedo cable

[nicktennear]

Glad to hear yours took as long. My wife helped me get mine done by asking 'is it finished?' every half hour. If I was doing mine again I'd borrow a Dremel.