auto parts AC blower motor - Four Seasons or Continental?

[masraum]

We need to replace the blower motor in the wife's outback. I'm starting to hear a slight squeak more and more often.

The FLAPS around here have Import Direct, Continental and Four Seasons brand for ~$110. Amazon has a bunch of cheap Chinese knock offs for $35-45. I don't think I want to go that route even if it saves me 60+%. And OEM online is ~$175. I think I can stomach going with a reputable after market to save 1/3.

So, for you guys that go through a lot of auto parts, if you had your choice between Continental Brand or Four Seasons, does it matter? I used to sell some Four Seasons parts ~30 years ago, when I worked at a FLAPS, but a lot can change in that amount of time.

[fastfredracing]

Four seasons stuff seems like cheap Chinese garbage reboxed, and sold at flaps .

[gsxrken]

I just did this job on my 2003 540. I intend to keep the car indefinitely and there is no way I want to ever do it again. I went OEM. If you value your time, go OEM.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Four seasons stuff seems like cheap Chinese garbage reboxed, and sold at flaps .

OK, I'm game on NOT using Four Seasons. I figure there's a good chance that a some of the cheap Chinese stuff on Amazon is as good as a lot of the aftermarket. I also assume that some of the aftermarket stuff is nearly as good as OEM.

Originally Posted by gsxrken

I just did this job on my 2003 540. I intend to keep the car indefinitely and there is no way I want to ever do it again. I went OEM. If you value your time, go OEM.

Yeah, some OEM stuff may be head and shoulders better than aftermarket, but I don't think that's always the case. I think it's possible to get some good aftermarket stuff. Maybe I'm deluding myself.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Four seasons stuff seems like cheap Chinese garbage reboxed, and sold at flaps .

This. They are not a quality brand. I use them for the AC blower on my El Camino, but changing it just is a 5 minute job, as it is right on top in the engine compartment.

[908/930]

How hard is it to remove? If easy just put some synthetic 10w30 motor oil on the bushings.

[A930Rocket]

I’d be inclined to install the factory parts. Yes, it’s more expensive, but you probably won’t have to change it again. Or at least not as soon.

Speaking of fans, it doesn’t seem like the air coming out of the vents off my 2014 F150 are blowing as hard as it used to. I’ve replaced the blower motor once already when it broke, but this time I’m not sure if it’s the motor or something to do with the digital dash?

It seems like the majority of car parts on Amazon are from China, when you search for parts in general. In fact, some of them use the same picture, but are branded different.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by 908/930

How hard is it to remove?

This is the real question. Four hour job on your back under the dash? Buy an OEM. Fifteen minutes? Roll the dice on a cheap one.

[SpyderMike]

Just put a Continental in one of our Touaregs...fits perfect and works great.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Speaking of fans, it doesn’t seem like the air coming out of the vents off my 2014 F150 are blowing as hard as it used to. I’ve replaced the blower motor once already when it broke, but this time I’m not sure if it’s the motor or something to do with the digital dash?

Have you changed your cabin filter lately?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

This. They are not a quality brand. I use them for the AC blower on my El Camino, but changing it just is a 5 minute job, as it is right on top in the engine compartment.

I think my replacement is going to be about 10 mins. Pop out the glovebox (seconds). Pop 3 plastic tabs on a cover (seconds). 3 screws/bolts (mins).

Originally Posted by 908/930

How hard is it to remove? If easy just put some synthetic 10w30 motor oil on the bushings.

Looks really easy. Wouldn't a little grease be a better option? White lithium or axle? (assuming they aren't sealed bearings and they are accessible).

I'll take a peak, but since they all seem to come with the squirrel cage, I think there's a very good chance that I won't be able to get at any of the bearings/bushings.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

It seems like the majority of car parts on Amazon are from China, when you search for parts in general. In fact, some of them use the same picture, but are branded different.

Yep. I try to avoid that stuff like the plague. I VERY occasionally buy that sort of stuff, but I weigh a lot of factors before I go that route.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

This is the real question. Four hour job on your back under the dash? Buy an OEM. Fifteen minutes? Roll the dice on a cheap one.

Yep, maybe 15 mins, and that would include carrying tools and parts out to the car. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it looks like a super easy job.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

Just put a Continental in one of our Touaregs...fits perfect and works great.

Good to know. Thanks!

[908/930]

Originally Posted by masraum

I think my replacement is going to be about 10 mins. Pop out the glovebox (seconds). Pop 3 plastic tabs on a cover (seconds). 3 screws/bolts (mins).


Looks really easy. Wouldn't a little grease be a better option? White lithium or axle? (assuming they aren't sealed bearings and they are accessible).

I'll take a peak, but since they all seem to come with the squirrel cage, I think there's a very good chance that I won't be able to get at any of the bearings/bushings.

Pop it off and take a look, likely the fan can be removed to get some oil in there. Problem with grease is you can't get it in there, oil does work quite well. I doubt it has bearings, likely just bushings, that is why it is making noise.