Increasing AC blower air flow and solving outside air smell

[julianpang]

Just to share with fellow forummers my share of issues related to weak AC blower and outside making its way into the cabin problem.My ride is a 1994 E34. I had these issues for the longest time. About 6 months ago, I did something temporary to increase the air flow as I didint want to get into major work at that time. I blocked off the rear air vents (on the floor board) with sponge to channel more air flow to the front. It only helped just a tiny little bit and I knew something was wrong somewhere. Up to recently, I decided to get it done once and for all including getting the aircon serviced. I posted some photos below and enjoy....The aircon guy confirmed that my compressor was fine and that was a relieved. The blower motor was fine too. The guy started off by removing the whole dashboard. Notice the opening at the firewall? That is where the big black box where the blower motor sits in. The gasket/sponge where the black box meets the firewall was in bad shape. Part of it turned into fine dust when it was taken out. It might be the caused of the outside air penentrating into the cabin.

This is the black box I was mentioning above. Half of this box actually resides in the engine bay and the other half was in the cabin. After he opened up the box to check on the blower motor, he put the pieces back together. My car is old and over the years, the black casing might have deformed due to heat and it might not be sealed properly hence the air which the blower motor churns out might have escaped. It means you will not get strong air flow like it used to be when brand new. He used silicon to seal every corner of it. Noticed the huge flap? There are 2 of them, the other one is on the other side. That is the outside fresh air opening and it was sealed completely with silicon so no more outside air function and no more problem.

The below box sits inside the cabin and behind the dashboard. This is where the coolong coil is. The cooling coil was still ok but I got it replaced anyway as it hasnt been replaced in a long time. The aircon filter also sits in this box and it was replaced toa new unit as well. Noticed the sponge/gasket? Thats a brand new sponge he put in.

Along the way, he also fixed the problem of my front air vent for the leg area. The lever for the front floor vent was disconnected or broken. Now I have air coming out from the front floor board when I want to. The aftermath..... Now the aircon is ice cool. The airflow is much stronger now. I am loving my car even more.

 

[julianpang]

To V-Man and integramania. This topic is for you.

 

[integramania]

Tx bro....more sealing

 

[naharnms]

Great info n thanx for sharing.
Btw,where was it done?

 

[julianpang]

Great info n thanx for sharing.
Btw,where was it done?

It's off Old Klang Road and quite near to Brother's. I am very bad in giving directions.

Perhaps Iceman or integramania can guide.

 

[V-Man]

THanks bro.. Very useful info

 

[integramania]

if u coming from PJ (Jln Templer) into Old Klang Road. Once you get off the overhead bridge turn left, head towards Sunway. U will see a Caltex on your left....then Wisma Peters and further up you will see Brothers. Turn left then make a right. It's the row of shops there. Opposite is a budget hotel. The shop is at the corner. Julian can you confirm if its the first corner or the last corner shop?

 

[julianpang]

It's first corner and the shop is a 3 in 1.

Aircon, mech and car wash.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

To V-Man and integramania. This topic is for you.

yehh V-man need a colder air-cond that would be able to get the beers chilled in a short time ....

 

[Altimet]

thanks for starting this thread Julian, can you tell me how long these repairs took?
Can it be done in a day or do I have to leave the car there overnight or for several days?

 

[GlueBall]

...what is the address to put into the GPS?

 

[julianpang]

thanks for starting this thread Julian, can you tell me how long these repairs took?
Can it be done in a day or do I have to leave the car there overnight or for several days?

It definitely cannot be done in a day. Job like this will be at least 3 days. Mine took 2 weeks coz i told him that i expect a perfect job and i can let him have the car as long as he wants. Therefore, he did my car only when he has time.

 

[SimpleSoul]

What was the cost to do this?

 

[tehyw]

Just to share with fellow forummers my share of issues related to weak AC blower and outside making its way into the cabin problem.

My ride is a 1994 E34. I had these issues for the longest time. About 6 months ago, I did something temporary to increase the air flow as I didint want to get into major work at that time. I blocked off the rear air vents (on the floor board) with sponge to channel more air flow to the front. It only helped just a tiny little bit and I knew something was wrong somewhere.

Up to recently, I decided to get it done once and for all including getting the aircon serviced. I posted some photos below and enjoy....



The aircon guy confirmed that my compressor was fine and that was a relieved. The blower motor was fine too. The guy started off by removing the whole dashboard. Notice the opening at the firewall? That is where the big black box where the blower motor sits in. The gasket/sponge where the black box meets the firewall was in bad shape. Part of it turned into fine dust when it was taken out. It might be the caused of the outside air penentrating into the cabin.

This is the black box I was mentioning above. Half of this box actually resides in the engine bay and the other half was in the cabin. After he opened up the box to check on the blower motor, he put the pieces back together. My car is old and over the years, the black casing might have deformed due to heat and it might not be sealed properly hence the air which the blower motor churns out might have escaped. It means you will not get strong air flow like it used to be when brand new. He used silicon to seal every corner of it. Noticed the huge flap? There are 2 of them, the other one is on the other side. That is the outside fresh air opening and it was sealed completely with silicon so no more outside air function and no more problem.

The below box sits inside the cabin and behind the dashboard. This is where the coolong coil is. The cooling coil was still ok but I got it replaced anyway as it hasnt been replaced in a long time. The aircon filter also sits in this box and it was replaced toa new unit as well. Noticed the sponge/gasket? Thats a brand new sponge he put in.

Along the way, he also fixed the problem of my front air vent for the leg area. The lever for the front floor vent was disconnected or broken. Now I have air coming out from the front floor board when I want to.

The aftermath..... Now the aircon is ice cool. The airflow is much stronger now. I am loving my car even more.

yay you!!!!!

 

[Roberto]

I often get the smell of outside traffic or outside bad smells (if passing through an industrial area especially) while driving with my a/c on. Even when my internal recirculator on. Will the sealing up of the box above solve this problem ?

If that's the case, then how does the air get into the car ? Air must first be sucked in from outside the car, then passed over the cooling coil to cool it down, then into the cabin. Am i correct ?

 

[alantiong]

believe it or not. most of the cooling coil casing after all these years.. actually deformed. and all the seals fall off. causing the whole cooling passage inefficient. dragging along outside air in even though we think we close or block the vent. pressure lost became so high that not much air coming out from vents.

once cleanup and "resealed" then no issue liao.!

i started fixing auto aircon at my brother's shop at 13.. freaking hard work!

 

[Roberto]

I'm going to keep this in mind bro. Thank you for the updates and the cool pictures.

 

[julianpang]

I will get the GPS coordinates within these 2 days when I go there to service my aircon for my other car.

 

[Roberto]

That would be great, but it would be better if you could post the address and number or even better post a picture of the shop's business card. They will give it to you once you get there, dunno why but workshops only give you the card if you ask them for it.

 

[anakin]

I will get the GPS coordinates within these 2 days when I go there to service my aircon for my other car.

Dear Julian...after all has been done, yet you sold her...why arr?