Noisy interior blower fan
 

Hi all,

I went and looked at a 55 plate XC90 last night. Pretty much all good but one thing really struck me (and I've had an XC90 before so I know it's not normal). On the test drive I set the AC to min to test it. The blower wound up to max and it was really loud, sounded like the engine, so not squeeling or anything just humming really loud like an engine. I've done some googling and at a lot of the time it sounds like it could be debris in the blower causing it to be unbalanced. I read on another thread here that this is easy to clear by accessing via a removable panel under the windscreen in the engine bay. Can anyone give some specific guidance on how to do this as I wouldn't mind checking it out before parting with any cash. I don't want to put up with noise like that!.

Cheers.

Remove scuttle panel (plastic panel under the wiper arms, remove wipers first)
You will see the cabin air intake clearly
Clean out any visible debris everywhere

However the cabin air filter should be stopping debris from getting to the blower fan
Check that the cabin air filter is actually fitted!
Accessible behind a panel under the glovebox, remove some torx screws to drop the panel, then remove more torx screws to access the filter housing

But if the blower fan is off balance and vibrating, then you may need to replace the blower fan
This is a more involved job as more items need to be removed.
Officially, the entire dashboard must be removed
But there are ways of replacing the blower fan without removing the dashboard, if you break one mounting clip
Still an awkward job though. I've never done it.

I have once removed the blower by breaking the clip method. It's not an easy job

Do not want to do it again!

Hi, firstly, by AC do you mean the general heater fan? I assume with the AC switched off, the fan still makes a noise?

Are you aware of the windscreen has been shattered recently. I had something like this on my earlier V70 when my screen was replaced and deposits of the old screen remained in the heater blower fan, making it very, very off ballence and noisy.

I did manage to access it and vacuums out the bits.

I guess worst case you may need another motor/fan assembly, second hand unit inexpensive on eBay. In my opinion, not a reason not to consider this car

Hope this helps

John l

Maybe has been replaced already
 

Hi,
I have had my blower fan out three times.
(Break tab method)
It is awkward but easier with some guidance. I have previously posted but can give info if you pm me.
It can be hard to get back in so may have broken some vanes if it has been tried but not done carefully.
The vanes can be seen from the top though once you remove the scuttle cover.
As previously said I would not let it put me off the car.
Their are loads of second hand ones around and it is same unit on XC90 S60 V70 etc etc
Good luck

Thanks everyone for your excellent answers. I'll check it out.

You have a great bargaining chip - the current owners most likely got a quote to fix the fan and this pushed them over the edge to get rid.

To due job Volvo way as said requires removing dash so could be upwards of a £1000 to fix at a dealer; an indie should probably manage it for around 1/2 that but you have a good case to knock a grand of the price and do it yourself, allowing you some quality time with your new car!!
Then when you have fixed that, you most likely will need to sort the hand brake which is the achilles heel on all MK1 XC90s as you likely know already :teeth_smile:

She said she wasn't aware that it shouldn't sound that way! I've heard of scary quotes from Volvo to fix this, but the stealers are crooks. On my last one I had a brake light relay fail. I contacted Volvo to ask a price for a replacement.
They said high and low brakes don't have separate relays and I should bring it in to be scanned at a cost of £70. Found the spec of the relay I needed online, ordered one off ebay for a couple of quid and job done.

Anyway it's already a good price, might get a couple of hundred off, we'll see.
Good point, I didn't test the "hand" brake but I understand it has a new caliper and it's only just been MOT'd.