924Board.org

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

Anyone ever attempted to take apart their engine cooling fans to refresh the innards? I don't know much about electric motors, but it seems like there ought to be bushings or something in there that take the wear. . .but are they replaceable?

Discuss!

rasta
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Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

-nick · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 2699 Location: Cambridge, MA

I'm curious too. My main fan sometimes squeaks like a hampster wheel going 100mph during the short after-shut-down cycle.
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1980 931S
15psi boost, MS-II, EDIS, 951 IC, custom intake, Ford 5.0L throttle body, Forge BOV, WB o2, G31 w/LSD, 964 wheels, 968 rear sway, Bilsteins, 200# Welt. springs. A laptop, and a partridge in a pear tree.
1991 964 C4 Cabriolet

!tom · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 4:25 am Post subject:

I re-bulit the melted mess that was the fan for the cabin air.

Usually bushings don't really wear out -- they tend to get all gross, and respond well to cleaning and a bit of oil.

I'm not saying bushings can't wear out, because they certainly can, but they often are pretty durable.

Brushes can also squeak, and there isn't much you can do about that. Cleaning them and removing the glaze that can form may eliminate brush squeak.

If it was built in the first place, then it can be disassembled and re-built. The problem then gets down to tools, skill, persistance, and ability to improvise when parts aren't avaiable.

The bushings in my fan motor were strange -- they were spherical on the outside, if I remember correctly. I ended up breaking one in half accidently -- they weren't very durable, but there's enough of it left to continue to do the job. There's no reason for me to believe the radiator fan motor is similar or very different than the cabin fan motor.

The fan motor was not intended to be rebuildable -- I had to grind off crimps, and bend tabs, and do a bunch of things like that which aren't intended to be taken apart. As I said though, persistance can get you results other techniques can't.
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78 924 NA
5-lug

Smoothie · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:27 am Post subject:

The rad fans can be disassembled with difficulty if necessary even though they're not designed to be. Sometimes lubing is all that's needed, so try that first. -But if there's any wobble to the front shaft and blades, you'll probably have to try a disassembly to deal with the bushings. Look here - http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=13861
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Ozzie · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:15 am Post subject:

I pulled mine apart after it failed. It appeard to have bushes not bearings which had disintegrated.
Tossed it in the bin.
Replaced it with a generic unit the same diameter from the auto shop.
1/4 the cost of genuine.
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Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

RC · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 2637 Location: Australia

Had this problem with mine a few years ago. Went from squeaking to vibrations and then the fan hitting the shroud. POS motor wasnt worth repairing IMO. Had a good look at the motor on my camry, fan was the same size, so in an saturday arvo mood of rather be driving the porsche than the camry, made an aluminium adapter plate and swapped them over.

Worked well ever since, much quieter for more air flow, no vibrations. These camry fans have proven their reliability and are widely available. Got another for the camry for $25 at the first wrecker.

Roger

endwrench · Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 1631 Location: Victor, Montana

Nice fix Roger! The OE Porsche fan fit the Toyota motor OK?

Todd
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'79 924NA. Rebuilt 9.5:1, MSDS header, Mega Squirt Injection, MJLJ-EDIS Ignition, 1.6L Whipple Charger and Intercooler, 10lbs Boost, 944 Trans, Custom HD Clutch.
"simsport" said....superchargers are better than turbos its official!....

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

Methinks thats the Toyo fan.
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Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

RC · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 2637 Location: Australia

Yea, thats the Toyo fan.

Perfect fit, lighter, stronger, better design, integrated aluminium boss, balanced.

Roger

kcoyle · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 712 Location: Long Island, NY

Sorry for dragging this back up but what year camry is the fan from? I need a cheap replacement for my main rad fan.

Kevin

RC · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 2637 Location: Australia

SV21, early 90`s 4 cyl.
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World`s quickest 924 2L slushbox

kcoyle · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 712 Location: Long Island, NY

thanks!
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1982 931- Stock with MBC at 8psi

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.