Heater Blower fan removal - R171

[Blobcat]

Noticed yesterday on the trip from Scotchland that we had a budgie screeching away with us on the journey…

So this evening I decided to remove the heater blower fan.

It’s up under the passenger footwell, on removing the under panel (3 x T20 torx (sans tit…)) I noticed some water marks…



I therefore popped the bonnet and took a look around the battery…

And guess what…



The quite large (~25mm) rubber drain was blocked, touched it and it emptied straight away (over the mat I was using for kneeling on of course…)



There wasn’t much in the bottom of the battery, (about 2”) however I guess with movement it’s been enough to go over the panel at the back of the battery into the fan.

 

[Blobcat]

To remove the fan, first remove the filter - slide the two plastic retainers and the filter lid will drop down.



The fan is held in with 3 torx screws



There’s 2 electrical connectors - large power for the fan - just press the tab and it will pull out. The smaller yellow one is in 2 parts - press the tab and remove one side then press the small tab and the connector will then slide free of the fan housing.



You can see the connectors and daylight into the engine bay

 

[Blobcat]

The fan didn’t look too bad… although the top of the regulator was a bit crusty…



Removing the regulator showed the extent of the corrosion…



The fan is press fit to 3 rubber posts, with a bit of persuasion it will come out.

Other side of the fan not looking so great…

 

[Blobcat]

Cleaned up the regulator



Wire brushed, cleaned and lubed the back of the motor



Used WD40 to clean out the fan box - it was very dirty inside



Reassembled the fan in the housing.



I’d highly recommend you ensure the fan is fully pressed down into the housing so it doesn’t foul on the top housing when you reassemble it - I didn’t bother initially so had to take it back out again…

There shouldn’t be a gap (red arrow) when it’s fully seated

 

[Blobcat]

I then screwed it back up - only dropping the 2 sliding clips for the filter housing twice…

Got it all back together, kick panels and carpets back in, tools all away, I then went to start the car to test it… and found the filter sat between the seats…



So carpet back out, foam panel back out, under panel removed and filter and housing refitted…

Start car and fan much better - (not perfect it will require replacement) - DAB radio not working though as I’d displaced the power connection… so carpet and under panel back out again to sort the wires out…

Don’t you just love a little job…

 

[Richard Moakes]

New cabin filters needed too

 

[Blobcat]

New cabin filters needed too

It’s due a service in 1,200 miles…
I’ll save that pleasure for then…

 

[00slk]

It’s due a service in 1,200 miles…
I’ll save that pleasure for then…

We looked at an r171 a few yes ago and upon looking under the bonnet to suss out the wet passenger floor carpet, I noticed the battery was nearly up to the terminals in water Same issue, blocked drain. The seller an I had to remove the battery and try to unblock the drain. It was packed solid of hard dirt and grime. We managed to clear it. I couldn't believe how it hadn't caused an electrical problem during the test drive. Needless to say, he didn't except my offer

 

[peterws1957]

We looked at an r171 a few yes ago and upon looking under the bonnet to suss out the wet passenger floor carpet, I noticed the battery was nearly up to the terminals in water Same issue, blocked drain. The seller an I had to remove the battery and try to unblock the drain. It was packed solid of hard dirt and grime. We managed to clear it. I couldn't believe how it hadn't caused an electrical problem during the test drive. Needless to say, he didn't except my offer

Beats me how a seller could not be aware of that much water - probably never lifted the bonnet.

 

[Blobcat]

Beats me how a seller could not be aware of that much water - probably never lifted the bonnet.

There is a cover over the battery which you need to look down into to see it - it's directly below the vent in the bonnet so it can fill very quickly - I'm always checking for leaves - thankfully I don't have any trees where I park at home or work.

 

[00slk]

Beats me how a seller could not be aware of that much water - probably never lifted the bonnet.

It was fairly dusty and cobwebby under there is my memory served me right.......typical 280slk own........shhh, Blobcat might see this comment and ban me Actually, that reminds me, I must have a gander under the Missus's SLK bonnet, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders...................

 

[Blobcat]

It was fairly dusty and cobwebby under there is my memory served me right.......typical 280slk own........shhh, Blobcat might see this comment and ban me Actually, that reminds me, I must have a gander under the Missus's SLK bonnet, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders...................

There's no "might" about it...

 

[00slk]

There's no "might" about it...

........................ Blobcat

 

[anyweb]

great job and great photos of your efforts blobcat, maybe you should have replaced the brushes also, that might have eliminated the remaining whining ?

 

[SL63 Mark]

I mean without getting too far into it, could you replace the bearings ? Might be easier to fit a new fan, depends on cost.

 

[Blobcat]

great job and great photos of your efforts blobcat, maybe you should have replaced the brushes also, that might have eliminated the remaining whining ?

It’s the bearing, not the brushes unfortunately

 

[Blobcat]

I mean without getting too far into it, could you replace the bearings ? Might be easier to fit a new fan, depends on cost.

They appear to be in the £120-£350 price bracket so I can see myself removing it again and leaving it to soak to clean and lubricate it.

Autodic have a Valeo (OEM) one listed at £~120 it advises it’s for left hand drive though, not sure if the part number is different or not, I’ve not checked.

 

[sonic]

Most useful, & a good result as well.

 

[peterws1957]

They appear to be in the £120-£350 price bracket so I can see myself removing it again and leaving it to soak to clean and lubricate it.

Autodic have a Valeo (OEM) one listed at £~120 it advises it’s for left hand drive though, not sure if the part number is different or not, I’ve not checked.

If you do decide to change, I'm sure you're aware of avoiding those cheap generic (Chinese?) blowers and regs on eBay. The quality is terrible as my mate found out, lasted 2 weeks before the fan exploded.

 

[Blobcat]

If you do decide to change, I'm sure you're aware of avoiding those cheap generic (Chinese?) blowers and regs on eBay. The quality is terrible as my mate found out, lasted 2 weeks before the fan exploded.

Definitely, I don't mind paying, I really don't like paying twice...

Drive to werky this morning had a bit of noise to start with, it then went silent (and not because it had seized before you all chip in...) it's blowing nicely