Grrr, the blower is dead.

[David.X5]

The only other big part that requires dash removal is the evaporator. Not sure I would consider that preventative maintenance, but something to consider. A leaking evaporator was why I had to pull mine. I think the other parts (heater core, expansion valve) are accessible without dash removal.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by David.X5

The only other big part that requires dash removal is the evaporator. Not sure I would consider that preventative maintenance, but something to consider. A leaking evaporator was why I had to pull mine. I think the other parts (heater core, expansion valve) are accessible without dash removal.

Not sure what the evaporator goes for in the parts pricing but yeah I'd only want to pull the dash like that once every 12 years or so, so if I had it open to do the blower motor I'd probably do the evaporator too if I was north of the 12+ years in age dept.

[David.X5]

It's not an expensive part, but requires recovery of the refrigerant and then refilling.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Our '01 HVAC blower motor has been chirping for months/a year...
It does it on low more so than on higher fan settings, and weirdly seems slightly highway road speed affected, or maybe it's just 'motion' affected,

NEway, I suspect it is going to go Kaboom one of these days/weeks/months/year.

I was getting some suspension work done at my Asheville Indie a couple weeks ago and mentioned it. He rolled his eyes and said, "Yes we do them, there is an '06 in the end bay we are R & R'ng."

I walked down and looked: it looked like a gut job on the dash board, et al.

He said he has done dozens and it is not his fave job.

When ours goes, it may be time to consider stuff. I have seen the DIY or photos of the 'job' here, and it will not be done by yours truly, and may or may not be done by my Indie.

A ~$200 blower fan motor, with the front end/instrument panel/dash board of a car assembled around it...
GL, mD

My fan had been chirping for a while also, which had me worried about blower replacement. But hadn't heard from it in the past few months - hopefully, that's a good sign