BMW 3 Series F30 A/C Blower Motor Noise
We have been seeing these come in for years. The new F30 3 series, when you put the blower on high speed, makes a weird loud humming noise. Every time I check it out it turns out to be the same thing. There is a spot under the passenger side of the hood where the fresh air goes inside the car, and leaves accumulate there. Some of the leaves get sucked into the blower, causing the noise. BMW knows about this and came out with a special kit. It consists of a plastic grill that we put over the opening to prevent the leaves from going in there again. It's a very simple repair. Not too many things to disassemble, and is pretty effective too. I took the car apart until I got to the blower and sure enough there were a few leaves in there. I took the blower motor off and removed all the leaves and rechecked to make sure the noise was gone. That did the trick! Then to prevent it from happening again, I installed the grill and reassemble the car. Good to go! This has also happened to the F10 5 series and F01 7 series, but the repair is a little different. If I come across one I will post it.
This is the area under the hood, on the passenger side, where the leaves come in through.
After taking a few covers off you can see the hole where the leaves go in and turn out at the blower motor.
Same place. You can see the blower motor inside the hole. This is one of the little leaves that was causing the noise.
This is the same area after installing the grill to prevent this from happening again.
Hi there, do you have a DIY for the blower removal? Or even just a basic sequencing. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
ReplyDeleteBlower removal is really easy. You need to take off the passenger side area lower dash cover. You will need a 20 torx bit to do this. Once you remove that cover you'll see the blower right there. Unplug the wiring, which should be just one connector. The blower basically twists to lock and unlock into position, so you will need to find the tab that locks it in place, bend the tab down slightly and twist the blower motor. Then it will drop down. Make sure you note/ mark the installation position, because it will only go back in one way and can be very frustrating to put back in.
DeleteWhere can one purchase the grill?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the part number for that screen?
ReplyDeleteHi, You should be able to purchase that screen at your local BMW dealership.
ReplyDeleteHi - I have a 435i, 2015, have been told I don't have one and when I asked if I need one I was asked if my ac rattled - then found this! I've ordered one but curious as to what the little sponge is for/fits when you install it? Can you help?
ReplyDeleteAlso when you installed this, is it just the finishing panel that comes out, you don't need to remove the blower or anything do you?
Many thanks!
Part number is 64 31 9 321 617 - I still have no idea what the foam is for...
ReplyDeleteThe foam we usually throw away since the panel that it goes on already has the foam. I believe it is in case the cowl panel does not have it. It helps prevent the leaves and debris from entering the blower motor area. The bulletin states to remove the blower to extract the leaves, but I just reach in there from outside once you take the cowl panel, etc apart. You will be able to see and reach the blower and get the leaves out. Just be sure that the a/c blower is not turned on, or you could hurt your hand. It's a good idea after you take the leaves out to go inside the car and turn the fan on to recheck and make sure the noise went away and that you got it all out. If you can't reach from the outside you may have to remove the blower but it's not hard at all.
DeleteThe foam we usually throw away since the panel that it goes on already has the foam. I believe it is in case the cowl panel does not have it. It helps prevent the leaves and debris from entering the blower motor area. The bulletin states to remove the blower to extract the leaves, but I just reach in there from outside once you take the cowl panel, etc apart. You will be able to see and reach the blower and get the leaves out. Just be sure that the a/c blower is not turned on, or you could hurt your hand. It's a good idea after you take the leaves out to go inside the car and turn the fan on to recheck and make sure the noise went away and that you got it all out. If you can't reach from the outside you may have to remove the blower but it's not hard at all.
DeleteI have a remark for Jamie's post, just to help others who have probably ordered the wrong part number or are about to.
Delete64 31 9 321 617 is an A/C grill for RHD cars ! The one in the pictures from Bmw Virtuoso's posts is part number 64 31 9 321 616, for LHD cars. Hope this helps others, i found out after i ordered the wrong part.
Is the air inlet on the right in a RHD vehicle? or is it still on the passenger side (Left on a RHD)?
ReplyDeletegood question - no-one has answered yet??
ReplyDeleteJust checked on a RHD 2013 F34 - fan etc are on the passenger side.
ReplyDeleteI will do this on my f30 2012 as my blower has stopped working
Delete