i have done this job in the past, maybe 8 years ago. it was not too difficult but i would prefer to avoid it if i could somehow just lubricate the squeaky motor i currently have in my 745. if replacement is necessary, is the motor still available from GM?

thanks
--
1991 745 -- RIP: 88 764T; 79 262C

I'm a 240 guy, but I think the housing on your 7 is similar. Since you allude to having done this awful job before, I'm assuming the nightmare of removing the housing covers is what you don't want to go through! I just lubed the motor on my 91 240. Having just changed out the motor in a 262, I wasn't interested in spending 7 hours in the car, so I decided to use "the chainsaw method", but with some modifications. First I took the side covers off the center console to get access to the blower covers. Next I used a compass to scribe a nice, even circle on the fan cover. 7" I think. Basically I left about 3/4" of flat area around the outside of my circle. Using a roto-zip drywall bit in my dremel I cut inside my circle giving me a nice, clean opening. Once the disc was removed, I had easy access to the fan blade, which I removed. I've tried doing the lube job by drilling holes in the front of the blower housing (laproscopically--thanks Art B), but this was much easier. I was able to get oil right on the bearings easily. I did this with the motor running and it was easy to hear that the noise disappeared instantly. Instead of trying to reuse the old piece of housing, stuck in either temporarily or permanently with duct tape or fiberglass, I made a new one. I bought a black plastic serving tray at 99 Cent Store and cut out an 8" circle with three ears on it. The ears are traced with a quarter. Drill holes in the ears. Drill corresponding holes in the heater housing. Mount the cover with silicone glue and three sheet metal screws and done. Took me an hour to do the right side. The left side bearing apparently wasn't making any noise at all. Left side, with associated wiring and pedals might take a little longer. Did not have access to a camera for photos at the time, unfortunately.

DS

WAAAAY different in a 740 than a 240. :-)

Volvo must have wised up when they designed the 740, as they put the blower right above the passenger's right foot, still requires a little contortion unless you're left handed, but it requires removing less than 10 screws and takes probably about 30 minutes the second time around. Just a smidge more involved than swapping an ECU in a 240.

To the original poster, you can probably lube the motor, but it's the same amount of work just to replace it... and if it's warm where you are and the motor is squeaking, it's likely that in the heart of winter it'll suddenly start screaming bloody murder at you. Scared the crap out of me when that happened in my old '90 745.

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1990 245 DL 133k M47, Cibié E-codes, Now with working wipers!
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club

That's weird... or mine's weird rather. It slows down after the A/C has been on for about an hour (freeway driving usually) and even on 4, the flow slows to about what it is on 1 or 2 when the motor is warm.
If I turn on the heat for 20 seconds, it comes right back. Very bizarre.

Also, over the summer, when I drive in town for errands and it's on for a while, I get an occasional quiet squeal from it. It sort of sounds like nails on a chalkboard... but quiet nails on a chalkboard.
My fan seems loud to me compared to the air it moves.

Do the GM fans move more air than the volvo fans?
If so, I'll replace with GM.

-Will

I removed the motor, its not a hard job.
Pulled it apart, yes the bearings were dry, so lubed them up.
But while its out have a look at the commutator on the motor ( the copper that the brush contact), run your finger over, if it is rough from wear then place in a Lathe and take a skim off. Also look at the carbon brushes for wear
This will add to a reduction in the motor noise. and seeing that you have the whole motor apart its worthwile

My blower was squeaking for a while but I ignored it. Then one extremely cold winter, it start screaming while I was driving. I literally thought that an animal had gotten in my car or something; it sounded so horrible. lol.
--
Ken
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'
Click here for the 700/900 FAQ
(or on the upper righthand of your screen, drop

Mine began to howl on I-75 in Chattanooga, I thought a W/P or Alt. bearing had failed?

My temporary fix is turn it on high, apparently the heat generated draws some oil out of the porous bronze bushings.

If too much moisture is getting to the motor, the deflector under the cowl may need to be resealed. I think that's covered in the FAQ's

ryan, that is very true - and funny and scary, too. yes, i remember that sound. i stopped using the heat and would use only the heated seats for a year or more. when i did eventually replace it, it was not that hard. just never worked as flawlessly as the original. there was something that hit the fan assembly and then the sealing of the bottom screws was not great... blah blah

Mine went with absolutely *zero* warning, nary a squeal: One freezing cold evening I started the car... I had left the fan set to "4" last I drove it.... engine started, and "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". Scared me half to death. :-)

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1990 245 DL 133k M47, Cibié E-codes, Now with working wipers!
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=117&ptset=A&searchfor=Blower+Motor

Numerous blower motors from Advance Auto Parts.

Also take a look in the 700/900 FAQs for a write up on this. Yes, A GM motor can be used even for the later 740s (I used one listed for a '96 Chevy Caprice in my '91 744 IIRC) as long as you get the correct one depending upon whether you have a single wire or two wire setup. The FAQ has this information.

Andrew S.

This isn't really a difficult job. Just need to remove the motor ( a few screws and two wires ) and lube both ends of the shaft. Did mine and still working several months later. If lower shaft has been getting wet, rust may be a problem, though.