Loud Blower Motor? - Subaru Outback

Pazu · 02-25-2010, 10:07 AM

I have an '05 H6 LLBean, which I bought used a little over a year ago. It has always had a slightly-too-loud, and pretty annoying whirring sound from the blower motor. It tends to be worse on low fan speeds because I think it gets drowned out by air noise at higher speeds.

I pulled the motor/fan assy out and ran it on my workbench, and it seemed fine. Maybe there is a flow restriction that somehow contributes to the whirring noise?

I just wanted to float this question out there and see if anyone else has noticed this same thing in their OB.

superu · 02-25-2010, 11:44 AM

My 05 started doing the same thing about two months ago. Drowns itself out a bit on higher speeds and is more noticeable on lower speeds.

ETC · 02-26-2010, 04:44 AM

Mine had a bunch of leaves in it when I got it and changed the filter out the first time. Might want to check the air inlet to see if there's anything in there.

hotmillmet · 02-09-2011, 09:49 PM

What appear to be the fan motor on my 05 outback got noticably louder tonight on the way home.

The sound appears to be coming from under the dash on the passenger side. Not a wind noise, but a whirring /whining sound as described on this thread. It goe up and down in pitch with the fan speed seetings. Is this pretty common? I have seen other posts outside this forum that indicated that the fan bearings get rusty from water leaks? Any merit there? Its not like it was getting gradually louder. It was normal fan sounds then all of a sudden you can hear a whine/whirring noise that was annoying. Is it easy to get at the fan? Any help is appreciated.

**nipper** · 02-09-2011, 10:31 PM

Mine did it. It was just dirt and leaves.

superu · 02-10-2011, 07:04 PM

Mine developed the whining a while after I had discovered the carpet soaking annoyance that resulted from a clogged evaporator. I think in my case the noise is due to combined events of the motor bearings getting worn from trying to move water and from rust.

I'll be picking up a used replacement for $60 next week and will install it when I put the new carpet and seats in.

Will let you know if that resolves the noise issue.

wrxtremest · 10-20-2011, 10:48 PM

Did you have any luck resolving the noise? Was it the bearings going out?

hotmillmet · 10-21-2011, 08:06 AM

The dealer replaced the fan motor even though it was out of warranty at no charge and that fixed the issue. Talk to the service manager, he may opt to charge back to Subaru on item that really should not break. They are allowed so many charges per month back to the company on out of warranty issues I am told.

superu · 10-21-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxtremest

Did you have any luck resolving the noise? Was it the bearings going out?

The $60 used replacement worked perfectly! Super easy to do too!

jrolfs · 11-19-2012, 08:10 PM

Same issue in mine as well! '05 Outback XT Limited. Do you remove the Glove Box to access the fan???
Thanks guys and gals.
J.

02-25-2010, 10:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pazu Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Car: 2005 Outback H6 LLBean Posts: 16 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Loud Blower Motor? I have an '05 H6 LLBean, which I bought used a little over a year ago. It has always had a slightly-too-loud, and pretty annoying whirring sound from the blower motor. It tends to be worse on low fan speeds because I think it gets drowned out by air noise at higher speeds. I pulled the motor/fan assy out and ran it on my workbench, and it seemed fine. Maybe there is a flow restriction that somehow contributes to the whirring noise? I just wanted to float this question out there and see if anyone else has noticed this same thing in their OB. __________________ "It's 30-minutes away . . . I'll be there in 10." - The Wolf, Pulp Fiction

02-25-2010, 11:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
superu Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NW Vermont Car: 2005 OBW 2.5i, snorkel, skid plates, etc... Posts: 1,033 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My 05 started doing the same thing about two months ago. Drowns itself out a bit on higher speeds and is more noticeable on lower speeds. __________________ 05 Subaru Outback 03 Chevy Suburban 95 Audi S6 "99% of being smart is knowing what you're dumb at..." The Superu

02-09-2011, 09:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
hotmillmet Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mercer, PA Car: 2005 H6 LL Bean Edition Posts: 22 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Fan Motor Got louder tonight What appear to be the fan motor on my 05 outback got noticably louder tonight on the way home. The sound appears to be coming from under the dash on the passenger side. Not a wind noise, but a whirring /whining sound as described on this thread. It goe up and down in pitch with the fan speed seetings. Is this pretty common? I have seen other posts outside this forum that indicated that the fan bearings get rusty from water leaks? Any merit there? Its not like it was getting gradually louder. It was normal fan sounds then all of a sudden you can hear a whine/whirring noise that was annoying. Is it easy to get at the fan? Any help is appreciated.

02-10-2011, 07:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
superu Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NW Vermont Car: 2005 OBW 2.5i, snorkel, skid plates, etc... Posts: 1,033 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mine developed the whining a while after I had discovered the carpet soaking annoyance that resulted from a clogged evaporator. I think in my case the noise is due to combined events of the motor bearings getting worn from trying to move water and from rust. I'll be picking up a used replacement for $60 next week and will install it when I put the new carpet and seats in. Will let you know if that resolves the noise issue. __________________ 05 Subaru Outback 03 Chevy Suburban 95 Audi S6 "99% of being smart is knowing what you're dumb at..." The Superu

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02-26-2010, 04:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
ETC ;} Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Ca Car: 00 outback Posts: 5,199 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mine had a bunch of leaves in it when I got it and changed the filter out the first time. Might want to check the air inlet to see if there's anything in there.

02-09-2011, 10:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
nipper Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oceanside, NY Car: 2005 OBW 2.5L, 1989 Subaru Justy, RIP Blu Posts: 7,229 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mine did it. It was just dirt and leaves.

10-20-2011, 10:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
wrxtremest Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Did you have any luck resolving the noise? Was it the bearings going out?

10-21-2011, 08:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
hotmillmet Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mercer, PA Car: 2005 H6 LL Bean Edition Posts: 22 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The dealer replaced the fan motor even though it was out of warranty at no charge and that fixed the issue. Talk to the service manager, he may opt to charge back to Subaru on item that really should not break. They are allowed so many charges per month back to the company on out of warranty issues I am told.

11-19-2012, 08:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
jrolfs Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Eastern Michigan area Car: 2005 Outback XT Limited (Black,Charcoal Leather)2.5 turbo-5 speed Posts: 20 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Same issue in mine as well! '05 Outback XT Limited. Do you remove the Glove Box to access the fan??? Thanks guys and gals. J.

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