Aftermarket Passanger Blower Motor (Anything Good?)

I think my passenger blower motor has a rusted shaft. Very likely I might need to replace it (later if not sooner). Anybody would care to pitch in if they tried aftermarket motor blowers with good results? I am in Canada, east coast; post US sources too - sometimes I buy from there.

Here's a thread with the problem, for those wondering: Prius 2013 Blower Motor Trouble | PriusChat . My shaft's tip is rusted like that and when running, it makes occasionally low volume high pitch noise like nails on a chalk board - not a fan of that noise.

I'll call Toyota service Monday too, to get the OEM price to compare. Is OEM the best in this case or it doesn't matter.

Andrei

 

So, I played with it and I managed to dismantle it.








It looks like there's some fine grit, dust in there. Probably from the graphite brushes (or whatever it is and it's called - talking off the top of my head here). At least it looks like I don't have to drill anything. There's a lot of dust on that cone inside. And it's falling outside, check this:




Anyway, probably I should do a thread on dismantling this motor, for other people wondering.

Looking at parts in Canada, I see these two online - they're in the top search results:

62$ Motor - says OE, I wonder if it is OEM at all.

182$ Metrix Motor - ... with 5/5 stars from the never found reviews.

PS: Yes, ChapmanF, fine oil for mechanical work was on the back of my mind. That's why I am working on dismantling it, to be able to drop some of that oil in the right spots.

 

UPDATE: Drilled some holes (2 symmetrical opening, one opening is 2 drilled holes joined by cutting). I poured about 3-4 drops of sewing machine oil on each side, gave it a spin by hand, then using this 12V source I gave it a spin for 1-2 min. It seems smoother so I guess the problem is solved. Will see tomorrow morning once mounted.

I might've over-done it with those holes. One small hole at the tip of the triangle looks like it would've been enough.

Should I cover these holes with some tape or something? Idk what the issues might be, just asking ... Either way, so far it looks like new parts will wait.





I'll do a separate more elaborate thread on dismantling this tomorrow morning. I imagine some people might look for this in the future.

 

I was overthinking that it might start to "whistle" - you never know. In the test there was nothing but I still put some M3 tape over it. Yeah, it's either 2 bearings or two roller bearings based on Teflon, couldn't say for sure, either way, it needed lubrication.

I think you're right ASRDogman, I give it 1-2 years before it starts to make trouble again. Also, judging by the amount of dust from those motor brushes, I'd say it's quite used. I remember when I was a kid and my dad changed those graphite pieces in our old vacuum - that's a reason why these motors crap out. In a few months it won't matter as cash won't be an issues; I have too many expenses for now - converting my Prius to a camper/surf car, surfboards, wetties, just bought the car - so dropping quite a bit of dough at once. If you add 150$ here, 100$ there it adds up quickly . So, buying time if I can - I work seasonally, in a couple of months I'm milking the cash cow again.

Andrei

 

I had some sewing machine oil. The high pitch is out; it was the sound of a dry shaft/rotating parts. Just did some in car tests, put it back, tested again. By the sound of it, I think there's a bit of friction, not a sound that bothers, this is very fine stuff - and it might be the way these fans are running, I have no point of reference for now. Eventually I'll replace it.

 

Any idea how VDO, TYC, SKP, Four Seasons compare to each other?

Keep them sources coming, I'm sure someone will browse in the future.

 

Here's the dismantling tutorioal. Not sure how useful it would be. Made it, just in case.

Andrei