Knocking from ventilation system

[AlBundy]

I am finding that when I turn the internal internal cooling fan on to full power, there us a knocking and rattling coming from behind the dashboard, almost like there is a ping pong ball in there.

Is there a way that I can try to find and fix without removing the dashboard?

If I have to remove the dashboard, is that a DIY possible job, or do I need a professional?

Thanks in advance.

Al

[Aidan]

Removing dash is relatively straightforward in principle but age and especially rust can make it hard (5 screws close under windscreen can be a pig if heads are rusty as you are working at an angle with little clearance for tools. Plastic parts break easily as they are brittle after many years in the sun. Instructions are in Bentley manual, and I guess there's some guidance in the Haynes manual too as heater fan replacement isn't uncommon. Usually noise is the systems way of telling you that there is something wrong, but it is possible that there's a foreign body in there that has made it's way in via vent outlets. Is it otherwise quiet in operation ? Maybe not use fan on 3, it's not too hot at the mo, I just have mine on full fresh air and let the force of air as vehicle moves do the work and open window when stationary/stop start traffic, I don't use the fan much except to clear windscreen when it is cold and steaming up

[Porkscratching]

As "CovKid" used to say; if you have to remove the dash, think of as many jobs to do behind there as you can (he always advocated upgrading audio speakers taboot) as it's definitely an investment in time and effort and as Aidan says with the windscreen in situ the very first of the process can be character enhancing.

I have a replacement motor and personally apart from demisting I tend to use it mostly for bringing the water temperature down when the old girl is labouring up hill etc. Windows open, heaters on FULL. I think we've all been there!

Regards, Max.

[AlBundy]

Resurrected this as I have just had a garage remove the dash and fix the problem.

The question I have is what is the absolute maximum that you would expect this work to take, assuming everything went wrong i.e. needed to drill out screws and re-thread to get the dash back in etc.

The garage is charging a huge amount for labour, nearly 37 hours worth for removing the dash, fixing the fan, removing the windscreen (breaking it in the process and charging me for a new one), fixing 2 holes under the window, and putting it back together again, can based respray etc..

I appreciate that this isn't a simple job that i couldn't do, which is why I took it to the garage in the first place, but it feels a bit like they are taking the ****.

Are my expectations out of line, or am I being shafted?

[R0B]

How many £££ did they charge you?

[AlBundy]

£2600 Labour, plus parts.

I have no issue with the cost of the parts as those are itemised (maybe with the exception of the windscreen that they broke while reinstalling it).

[R0B]

That does seem very pricey.

[Stesaw]

Bloody hell I removed a dash for a chap, replaced his heater box fan and wired his stereo for 80 quid all within about 4 hours.
The screws can be a bit of a bugger along the top of the dash and the heaterbox fixings.. opening the heaterboxes takes time if they are still plastic welded.. but breaking the windscreen is carelessness.

Shouldn't have to pay for the screen if they broke it..

[AlBundy]

For transparency, this is the list of work performed.

[R0B]

37 hours thats not far off 4/12 working days. I'm finding it hard to believe this would take that long.
I remember Steve Shaw removed my dash and replaced my heater and put it back together in less than half a day.

[Stesaw]

It wouldn't take that long.. a day tops.

E D I T

After reading into what was done..

If they've done welding and fab work that's probably where the time and money went.

They've also done a fair bit more than just the dash by the look of it.

Breaking the screen when refitting is easily done if you rush it. ive done it on the LT but was my own stupid fault doing it in the dead of winter with a heat gun on the rubber.....
Paint isn't cheap these days, you can be at least 300 quid into paint and materials for a respray let alone the labor costs.

I dont think you should have to pay for the screen.. but other than that probably a bit high still...

Also the fact the washers still don't work.. probably wiper stalk copper connectors or the pumps shot.

[AlBundy]

These were the two holes that needed fixing, pictures taken part way through the work.



I am comparing the bodywork repair to some work I had done a few months back that was less than half the cost all in, and was also a significant amount more work, welding, fabrication, and painting.

Appreciate your input, it is definitely helping.

[R0B]

You could well be right Steve. Those £70 an hour soon clock up.

[Robsey]

£70?...
Wow, my garage only charge £45 per hour.

My friend has replaced a lot more panels and done a proper respray for that sort of money.

It is the first I have heard of welding in fresh metal, and then covering with fibre-glass.
Unless I am mis-understanding his use of the phrase fibre-glass in this context.

[Mocki]

Last time it did a heater motor it took me a full day from driving in to driving out , but that was only dash out , heater box out , swap the fan motor and put it back together , with several brews and tidying of bits under and around the dash ….
I wasn’t rushing, nor charging by the hour , could well have done it quicker , didnt need to .

The welding is where your money has gone, I’ve said it before and i will say it again, bodywork is the most expensive thing about these vans .