wynkoop Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Well my 88 1.8L turbo wagon had to sit idle with a broken timming belt for about a month. Just got it fixed and it is running better than ever! Unfortunantly durring the month that it was idle the heater fan developed some trouble. It makes a loud grinding sound on setting 4 and produces very little air flow, I would say it is about like setting 1 used to be. Setting 3 produces less air flow, and there is no noticible air flow from settings 1 or 2. I suspect that while sitting in the driveway of my mothers home in rural PA that a critter decided to stuff it with nuts, or maybe with leaves to make a bed. I have tried to figure out how to get at the heater fan with no joy so far. The Chilton I have that is supposed to cover all Subarus from 197?-1988 has nothing on 1988 heater blowers! The blower for the AC is working just fine. I have taken the glove box out and removed all the clips on the fan unit on the right side of the car behind the glove box, but still no joy! Can anyone give me clear simple instructions on how to gain access to the blower for the heater in my 88GL turbo wagon so I can fix the problem before it gets cold here in the north east? Beyond that can anyone suggest a good subaru mechanic in the greater NYC area. I have located one in western PA near my mother's house, but I would also like to know of one nearer to where I live. Thanks! -Brett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill90Loyale Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I removed the trim panel under the glove box (three plastic trim screws), then removed the three shiny bolt screws holding the fan blower inside the housing. This allows you to remove the fan. This was fun. The fan was entirely filled with leaves and paper from whatever animal had built a nest in my ventilation system. I clean it all out, put the fan back in, hit the on switch, and it started snowing leaves and paper in my car. I pulled the fan again, cleaned it again, installed it, and the blower now sounds and performs like a small jet engine. Superb. This whole operation can be performed with a Phillips head screwdriver. I highly recommend it to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 exactly what he just said....pull panel, remove some screws/bolts and it comes right out. clean and you're done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynkoop Posted October 14, 2004 Author Share Posted October 14, 2004 Thanks guys! I just pulled off the trim under the dash and the rest was simple. I shudder to think what else the critter did to the car while it sat in the driveway for a month. The inside of the fan was packed with threads and fabric chuncks that match the color/pattern of the padding under the carpets! Well now I have full fan and heat/defrost again and it looks like the critter never really set up living in there as there were no droppings or urine trails. I guess I was very lucky. I suspect that the car was trailered to the mechanic to get the new belt the same day the critter was working on his winter home. I bet he was confused when he came back and found his new house was no longer there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.