Heater noise

[Bootneck]

Hi
When I first switch on the fan control, I get a noise like the heater fan needs oiling. After about 10 mins the fan seems to go back to normal running. How easy is it to get to the heater fan. Anything on the internet. The car is 1998 xk8 convertible.
Thanks mike

[Astromorg]

The first thing to be discovered is which blower is in trouble. Yes, there are two of them, one each side. Each one can be immobilised in turn by removing its fuse to find out. The driver's side blower is fed by F11, 20A in the driver's side dash fuse panel, while the passenger's side is F11, 20A in the passenger side fuse panel.

What you really don't want is for it to be the driver's side and the reason for this is that the steering column has to come out first. Not much fun there! The equivalent on the passenger side is to take the glove box out which is relatively simple. Just the four screws along the top front edge and the two outer - not two inner - screws along the hinge.

After that its not too complex - just a few screws, etc. Hopefully the pictures will guide you. Note that the first instruction for the passenger side says remove Instrument Panel. This actually means the glove box, it's just that glove box removal is covered in the IP section! After removal of the glove box or steering column as relevant, the directions for the blowers are about the same; just left/right versions of each other. If you want removal details for the Steering Column, pm me an email address and I'll send them. Big job!

[Bootneck]

Thanks I’ll investigate which blower. Knowing my luck it will be the drivers side.
Thanks
Mike

[Thixendale]

You could always turn the radio up

[Bootneck]

Yes lol

[Bootneck]

Hi
Just run the car again and put the heater controls to dashboard. Air was coming out of all ‘face ‘ grilles. Noisesy fan decided to be quiet so looks like I’ll have to live with it. It is a convertible after all .
Mike