E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Squeaky HVAC belt???

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Old May 26, 2007 | 11:58 AM
  #1  
sheikhg's Avatar
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2012 w212
Squeaky HVAC belt???

Hi everyone,

Wondering if anyone had the same problem I do....when i turn on the HVAC, sometimes I will hear a faint squeaking noise, kind of on and off-ish. It happens whether the HVAC is on air, heat, vent, front, lower, defrost, and at any speed! Anyone have this problem?

Since I can hear the noise inside the car, it must be a belt somewhere on the inside? Any ideas how to fix?

Thanks!
Gene
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Old May 26, 2007 | 12:24 PM
  #2  
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'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by sheikhg
when i turn on the HVAC, sometimes I will hear a faint squeaking noise, kind of on and off-ish. It happens whether the HVAC is on air, heat, vent, front, lower, defrost, and at any speed! Any ideas how to fix?
Bring it in to the dealer it may be that the belt pulley needs to be replaced.
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Old May 26, 2007 | 12:34 PM
  #3  
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If it IS originating from the inside of the car, its not a belt. Is the squeak a faint sound and does it go away when you increase the blower speed?
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Old May 26, 2007 | 12:48 PM
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Gene, when you say you can hear the noise inside the car, is it inside only? I took for granted that it was originating in the engine compartment and faintly being heard inside the cabin which is normally the case. Either way, as long as it can be reproduced, your best bet would be to bring it in.
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Old May 27, 2007 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
Gene, when you say you can hear the noise inside the car, is it inside only? I took for granted that it was originating in the engine compartment and faintly being heard inside the cabin which is normally the case. Either way, as long as it can be reproduced, your best bet would be to bring it in.
hi! Actually when i shut the HVAC off, the squeaky noise goes away. Also, the noise does not occur right away -- usually after the fan's been running for 20-30 minutes....when i turn the blower to a higher speed, the noise does increase but only slightly....

In terms of hearing the noise inside the car, it sounds like it's coming from somewhere near the glove compartment...
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Old May 28, 2007 | 12:44 AM
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Its a very soft blower or blower motor squeal. Thats why I asked if adjusting the fan speed has an effect on the noise. I used to have it too on my '04... It wouldnt happen as soon as I started the car, but a few minutes later when there was heat available, I'd hear it. As I recall, I believe I heard it with 2, maybe 3 bars showing on the fan speed level. Increasing the fan speed always eliminated the faint squeek noise.

I always thought lubricating the blower motor or cleaning out the box that the fan is contained in would fix it, but I was too busy with other crap to chase this one down.

Last edited by Barry45RPM; May 28, 2007 at 12:30 PM.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 09:34 AM
  #7  
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W211 2005 CDI, X166 2013 350 BT, 997.1 2008 C4S
Originally Posted by sheikhg
Hi everyone,

Wondering if anyone had the same problem I do....when i turn on the HVAC, sometimes I will hear a faint squeaking noise, kind of on and off-ish. It happens whether the HVAC is on air, heat, vent, front, lower, defrost, and at any speed! Anyone have this problem?

Since I can hear the noise inside the car, it must be a belt somewhere on the inside? Any ideas how to fix?

Thanks!
Gene
How funny! I have been hearing the exact same thing for several months but really didn't have the time to look into it further. In my car, it seems to be coming from the front passenger area possibly near the glovebox. It defintely seems to be a fan/blower issue. I'll take it into my SA when I have a chance and keep you posted. I love this forum!
Jay
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Old May 28, 2007 | 10:28 AM
  #8  
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I believe it could possibly be the baffles misdirected or loose inside inside the duct system...not necessarily the blower itself.
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Old May 28, 2007 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by sheikhg
hi! Actually when i shut the HVAC off, the squeaky noise goes away. Also, the noise does not occur right away -- usually after the fan's been running for 20-30 minutes....when i turn the blower to a higher speed, the noise does increase but only slightly....

In terms of hearing the noise inside the car, it sounds like it's coming from somewhere near the glove compartment...
It may any number of connection points. Next question, how annoying is the noise? Are you comfortable in having them attempt repair that may or may not cause additional annoying noise(s) - just an observation. Having said this, I am a perfectionist and my cabin must be dead silent.
Attached Thumbnails Squeaky HVAC belt???-aircond.jpg  
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Old May 28, 2007 | 05:30 PM
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I still say its the blower motor that needs lubrication/replacement.
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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 09:15 PM
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Blower motor squeel

I could not find any posts on how to access the blower motor in order to lubricate. Also, any specific recommendations on what type of lube to use?
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 01:21 PM
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Blower motor

So I was able to get to the blower motor by removing the cabin filter. From there you can see the top portion of the blower motor. I used PB blaster lube; similar to WD-40 but better according to the guy at Schucks. It stopped the squeeling for a few days but then came back.

What do you guys think? Should I plan to replace the blower motor or try a different lube?

Also, how tough is it to replace the blower motor?

Thanks,
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 04:08 PM
  #13  
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I believe as others have pointed out that you have a dry bearing in the blower motor. The bearing on the opposite end of the motor (as opposed to the squirrel cage end) does most of the work and is usually the culprit. I doubt that lubrication will help for very long. Obviously, heat tends to dry WD- 40 etc pretty quickly. These bearings are sealed, the motor frame is pressed together with a hydraulic machine. In short, it is a throw away item which is a real shame to lose a $300 -$400 part for a $0.25 bearing. If it is bearing failure, the squeal will get progressively worse until it locks up. Here in the south, pine straw has a unique way of finding its way into the blower intake and it acts like a reed against the squirrel cage. That might be the case but that usually corrects itself as soon as the blower stops and the trash clears. I am betting on the bearing. I am sure that M-B uses a proprietary unit due to the 10-12 step speeds on the blower but honestly, the ones made for Kias and the one made for luxury cars are all pretty similar.
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Old Jan 24, 2009 | 07:03 PM
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Any info or links on how to replace the blower motor?
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 07:49 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
I still say its the blower motor that needs lubrication/replacement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So I was able to get to the blower motor by removing the cabin filter. From there you can see the top portion of the blower motor. I used PB blaster lube; similar to WD-40 but better according to the guy at Schucks. It stopped the squeeling for a few days but then came back.

What do you guys think? Should I plan to replace the blower motor or try a different lube?

Also, how tough is it to replace the blower motor?

Thanks,
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 01:12 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Clinton Horn
...I doubt that lubrication will help for very long. Obviously, heat tends to dry WD- 40 etc pretty quickly. These bearings are sealed, the motor frame is pressed together with a hydraulic machine. In short, it is a throw away item which is a real shame to lose a $300 -$400 part for a $0.25 bearing. If it is bearing failure, the squeal will get progressively worse until it locks up....
Thats the fact.
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Old Jul 15, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by mere320
Should I plan to replace the blower motor or try a different lube?
Part #2118300908 (for comparison shopping, parts.com $170.20) or http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCE...Q5fAccessories ($90 - free shipping)

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Last edited by konigstiger; Jul 15, 2009 at 07:16 PM.
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Old Jul 15, 2009 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
Thats the fact.
Correct. You can't lube it and solve the problem. I have already replaced mine. Warranty.
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