Any way to oil heater fan bearings?

[franbev]

As it is getting cold up here in Minnesota I had my Ascona heater on for the first time today while driving. The heater fan bearings are squealing, probably due to sitting idle so long. Since I won't be using the car during our winter it's not a problem. But is there a way to squirt a little LPS on the bearings?

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by franbev As it is getting cold up here in Minnesota I had my Ascona heater on for the first time today while driving. The heater fan bearings are squealing, probably due to sitting idle so long. Since I won't be using the car during our winter it's not a problem. But is there a way to squirt a little LPS on the bearings?

There's no harm in oiling the fan, but, I'd take the cover off the heater/fan, and vacuum out any and all trash, leaves, and debris (or as much as you can) then oil it. A helpful hint to keeping trash out, after taking the time to clean it out, go to a hardware store or building center, and get a small piece of screen door screen and cut it to fit over the entire area, then leave enough along the edge to use the hood seal to hold it in place, like the attached picture. It's cheap and it works!!

[vikesman101]

Hmmmmm I live in Minnesota and THIS is not cold..... when we get to 24 inches of ice on the lakes... then, and only then is it beginning to get cold.

[franbev]

"Starting" to get enough cold to put on the heater. I'm a life long Minnesota (You betcha) and I think this will be a "normal' winter. I won't be driving the Opel again until spring.

[markandson]

Originally Posted by franbev As it is getting cold up here in Minnesota I had my Ascona heater on for the first time today while driving. The heater fan bearings are squealing, probably due to sitting idle so long. Since I won't be using the car during our winter it's not a problem. But is there a way to squirt a little LPS on the bearings?

I don't have an Ascona so I don't know how difficult it is to get the blower motor out, but if you can get it out than the best thing to do is to disassemble it and clean the armature shaft to get rid of old oil/grease/rust, do the same to the inside of the bearings and then re-lube and re-assemble. It is always better to clean the old stuff out and start new, the fix will last for a very long time that way.

[ghcoe]

If you are going to take the motor completely out of the housing a "off set" screwdriver is very useful. One of the screws that holds the motor bracket in place is set under the cowling and you only have about a inch to work in. It looks like they installed the motor first onto the heater housing and then attached the housing to the firewall. If you have a offset screwdriver it is a pretty simple removal. 5 screws that hold the motor cover and 3 screws that hold the motor bracket to the heater housing, unclip wire motor is out.

George.

[opelbits]

The quick and easy way to oil the bearing is to drill an 1/8" hole in the center of the cover. This is right over the upper bearing/spindle shaft of the fan. You can then seal the hole with a very shrot screw or a piece of tape. I would not do anything more permanent to seal the hole as once the fan squeals, it will squeal again and this will be a routine procedure.

Taking the cover off and cleaning out the fan box is a very smart thing to do.