Squeaking A/C Condensor Blower

jyl · jyl's Garage

When I turn on the A/C blower in my 89 3.2, an irritating little squeaking sound accompanies the air. It's sort of a high-pitched squealing / keening sound that gets louder as the motor speed gets higher. The noise used to be faint, now it is getting louder and louder every day.

So I figure the condensor blower motor in the smuggler's box is gradually going bad, and I open up the box. Hmmm. It's not that obvious whether I can access and remove-replace the blower motor without disconnecting the refrigerant lines. Not obvious to me, anyway. Plus there's this caramel-colored crusty gook on some of the valvework - weird.

Has anyone dealt with this and have suggestions? If I'll have to disconnect the lines and recharge the A/C then I'll just take it to a mechanic. If I can replace or service the blower motor without messing up the rest of the A/C system, then I'll try it.

By the way, my A/C works so-so. Up to about 90 F outside temp, I feel like I have a perfectly capable A/C and can get myself uncomfortably chilly. From 90 to 100 F I can keep the cockpit mildly cool, certainly comfortable enough. Above 100 F the A/C system, if on full blast, keeps me somewhat uncomfortable - sort of like if it was an 80 F day and I had no A/C. Just a data point for those wondering how well 911 A/C systems work in practice.

Eric Coffey · 09-03-2002, 12:47 PM

The blower in the smuggler's box is for the evaporator. The condenser blower is next to the battery box, in front of the gas tank (black plastic housing). Are you sure the noise is coming from the smuggler's box?

jyl · jyl's Garage

Errr, sorry I got that mixed up.

I'll go and check, but might take awhile as I'm about to go out of town.

texas chris · 09-06-2002, 07:27 AM

I am having the exact same problem as jyl. My blower on my '80SC sounds like something is rubbing against the fan or something is rattling around in there. I took a look in the smugglers box and I also could not tell if I can get at the blower without disconnecting the refigerant lines. I really hope that you don't have to do this because I really don't want to have my system recharged. How do you remove the blower?

James_TX · 09-06-2002, 07:38 AM

Hey Chris, I did that last night. Im currently trying to get my AC up and running.

If you unbolt the black cover in the smugglers box (10mm I think) Under that is the squirrel cage that blow the air into your vents. An Allen Key will let you remove it. Check to see if your motor spins freely.

You dont have to undo any lines as long as you dont mind not being able to fully remove the temp line from the evaporator. I couldnt figure out how to unhook mine. So I just worked with it in the box. I replace my motor, still didnt make my ac work (sigh)

Hope this helps.

James_TX · 09-06-2002, 07:45 AM

One more thing. Pelican doesnt carry the motors if you need to replace them. Check out ********** for a new blower motor. Part #91162489900

Porshe wanted $200+ for this motor.

Down side, you have to shave the plastic to get this one to fit. Not hard and goof fit after.

Chris Lovell · 09-06-2002, 10:14 AM

I have a real Rube Goldberg temporary solution which is a piece of cake. I drilled a small (vertical) hole (1/8") throught the top of the black plastic housing over the evaporator motor. This hole is directly over the motor sharft for the blower. I put a drop of oil through the hole onto the motor shaft and my squeal went quiet. A piece of electric tape over the hole and you're done. Lasted about 2 months and then I did it again.
Just one approach ...