HVAC blower motor life

[FStephenMasek]

I just had to replace the HVAC blower motor on our 2002 C230K at 50,xxx miles. The car was built 10 years ago this month, but the part should have lasted longer. The one in my 128,000 mile 2006 Ford Explorer is still going strong. The thing cost $280. When my wife picked-up the part, the dealer people told her that on some models the dash has to be disassembled, and the dealer charges people $2,000! I sent the following letter to M-B, and their reply was amumbled voice message from a guy in the USA, which I played twice, but could not understand his name or phone number: Dr. Dieter Zetsche Daimler AG 70546 Stuttgart Germany Dear Dr. Zetsche: Would you say that the HVAC fan which failed at 52,000 miles in our C230K was a good example of "Engineered Like No Other Car In The World?" What about the HVAC blower in our 2006 Ford Explorer which is still going strong at 127,000 miles? Oh wait, your company no longer uses that advertising slogan. You should, and it should be true, down to every nut and bolt. Otherwise, Mercedes-Benz is just an over-priced car with rear wheel drive as the only positive differentiating feature. I can afford (that means pay cash without any financial strain) any car in the Mercedes-Benz line. I somewhat understood having to replace the front suspension bushings in our C230K a few months ago, as the car was built 10 years ago, and rubber deteriorates with age. However, the fan failure, and the fact that the dealer informed us that it is a common failure, helps me understand other people I have met who stated that they would never own another Mercedes-Benz.

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[samaritrey]

well actually the blower motor is a rare failure do a search on here not many have had that issue. There have been a few on here that have replaced the regulator but that is still not a common failure. I replaced my blower motor last month on my 01 c320 with 173k miles on it because of a tinny squeak it made when cold but the old motor still worked great. I also paid less than $100 shipped for a OES Bosch part.

[Glyn M Ruck]

Fan moter sqeaking due to air blowing through it & requiring some lubrication is somewhat common. Fan motor failure is rare & remember that forums concentrate problems. Some people, and you are a good example, only post when they have a problem.

[FStephenMasek]

There is nothing to lubricate - the bearings are sealed. The commutor was badly worn, and there was quite a bit of black fluff from the brushes int he motor.

It is helpful to read that it is not a common failure. The parts guy made it seem otherwise, as did the fact that they had the part in stock.

[Jack_2001C240]

I can sympathize with your frustration about your failed blower motor.
Luckily the blower motor on my My 2001 C240 also with 50,000 miles still seems to be working fine. I shoudn't say that: maybe it will fail next week
Just for my personal comparision,The blower motors on my 1981 Buick Regal and 1990 Honda Civic worked perfectly for 20 years.
In addition the blower motor on my 1990 Toyota Celica which I still own works just fine.

[Glyn M Ruck]

Originally Posted by FStephenMasek

There is nothing to lubricate - the bearings are sealed. The commutor was badly worn, and there was quite a bit of black fluff from the brushes int he motor.

It is helpful to read that it is not a common failure. The parts guy made it seem otherwise, as did the fact that they had the part in stock.

I know the bearings are sealed but it is possible to lubricate. See excellent thread by Cintoman. If the comm is shot it's had it though.