Blower fan propeller - No filter or grill?

[dom14]

Hey Guys,

The picture is the inlet point of my GQ Patrol blower fan motor/propeller.

There's no grill or filter to prevent any crap from getting sucked into the propeller!

Does that look ok to you?

Should I install some kinda filter or a piece of mozzy net or something to stop crap from getting into it?

[GQtdauto]

From memory it's missing something .

[dom14]

From memory it's missing something .

Can you dig into your memory bit further and tell me what it might be? :)

[Yendor]

I don’t think it is missing anything. If you change it from recycle air to fresh air the flap should come down.

[dom14]

I don’t think it is missing anything. If you change it from recycle air to fresh air the flap should come down.

Which flap?!!

[Clunk]

Which flap?!!
Lools like the flap at the back there with dust lines on it, that are the same size and shape of the grill at the front.......... Could be wrong though

[GQtdauto]

You're right Clunk the blower should have shutters that close and open depending on what your vent and aircon settings are on .

[dom14]

You're right Clunk the blower should have shutters that close and open depending on what your vent and aircon settings are on .

Ok, cool. I understand, but I still reckon it's a good idea to have a filter on both openings to the propeller. Dust will gunk up the ducts and the propeller eventually, won't they?

[dom14]

BTW, just a thought crossed my mind, this dust circulating through the vents also pass through the A/C evaporator when the A/C is on, don't they? And that means, the evaporator eventually end up being gunked up with layers of dust? Which means, it might be a good idea to pull blower unit out to access the A/C evaporator and give it a clean?!!

Any thoughts?
______________

[GQtdauto]

Your shutter is fully open and up against the top , look at right side you'll see a cable , that's what opens and shuts it , just slide the vent control back and forward .

[GQtdauto]

BTW, just a thought crossed my mind, this dust circulating through the vents also pass through the A/C evaporator when the A/C is on, don't they? And that means, the evaporator eventually end up being gunked up with layers of dust? Which means, it might be a good idea to pull blower unit out to access the A/C evaporator and give it a clean?!!

Any thoughts?
______________
If you're a clean freak yes you can , I'd hate to think how bad mine is .

[dom14]

If you're a clean freak yes you can , I'd hate to think how bad mine is .

Nah, I meant is it possible for the evaporator to deteriorate, performance wise(thermal transfer wise) 'cos of the dust buildup on it over many many years?
I'm just wondering. :)

[mudnut]

This is the filter assembly I made to fit the top of the ducting above the fan.

I made the filter out of the stainless mesh (top and bottom) for a leafeater and two layers of stainless flywire with a thin layer of fishtank filter sandwiched between them. It only takes one cable in the middle cut to replace the filter.

After dropping the fan out (three screws and a connector) I dropped the ducting out and vacuumed the crap out of the cooling fins.

I sprayed diluted disinfectant in and rinsed it out with water.

There was a lot of black horrible crap dripping out the drain in the engine bay.

I also took the opportunity to renew the seal around the top of the duct and the plenum chamber (body) with a few layers of self adhesive foam.

[GQtdauto]

Only problem I've ever heard of is the electrical part of it , you lose speeds usually low goes first then medium etc .

[my third 256]

you could go to sca and purchace the aftermarket filter for it about $30.00
have a read of this thread
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?29396-Cabin-Air-Filter-installation-on-a-04-GU-3-0L&highlight=cabin+filter

[Yendor]

Nah, I meant is it possible for the evaporator to deteriorate, performance wise(thermal transfer wise) 'cos of the dust buildup on it over many many years?
I'm just wondering. :)

Yes it does. Just like mud and grass caught in front of the radiator. It reduces it's ability to transfer heat.

[dom14]

Yes it does. Just like mud and grass caught in front of the radiator. It reduces it's ability to transfer heat.

Thanx mate.
It looks like bit of PITA job to perform by pulling out the under dash blower fan unit, but I think I'll get to it.
Wish me luck, ;)
Cheers

[Yendor]

Thanx mate.
It looks like bit of PITA job to perform by pulling out the under dash blower fan unit, but I think I'll get to it.
Wish me luck, ;)
Cheers

There was a good thread on the other Patrol forum where they removed the blower fan housing and the bottom part of the evaporator box so they could clean it out and replace the seal between the two boxes. I think some even made up a filter/screen to go between the two boxes. I'll see if I can find it for you a bit later.

[Yendor]

Here you go http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/nissan-patrol-gq-y60-ford-maverick-11/air-con-ducting-fix-47037/

[dom14]

Here you go http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/nissan-patrol-gq-y60-ford-maverick-11/air-con-ducting-fix-47037/

Thanx mate, it's very useful indeed.
I'm going through it now.
Cheers

[mudnut]

I placed the filter at the top to stop mice and rats entering the ducting again. I found a mouse nest in the fan. If you go for the filter after the fan, maybe gluing some stainless mesh at the inlet might be a good idea.

[dom14]

I placed the filter at the top to stop mice and rats entering the ducting again. I found a mouse nest in the fan. If you go for the filter after the fan, maybe gluing some stainless mesh at the inlet might be a good idea.

No kidding?!!!

Where would they enter the car from?
There shouldn't be any opening for mice can squeeze into the car, either under the bonnet or under the car!!!

[mudnut]

Mice can enter the plenum through quite a few places. Rat crap can dry out and roll around and enter the inlet with the airflow, like leaves and stuff. I install mesh on every car I have bought, and also for my kids cars.

[dom14]

Mice can enter the plenum through quite a few places. Rat crap can dry out and roll around and enter the inlet with the airflow, like leaves and stuff. I install mesh on every car I have bought, and also for my kids cars.

I believe you, but also wonder that that any hole big enough for a mouse to squeeze through can't be good news for the A/C and obviously bad for the interioro of the car, 'cos mice won't be the only thing that will get into the car through such an opening.

I'm very much interested in knowing all those spots. One spot I noticed was side panel under the bonnet has a hole even a rat can squeeze through and get into the dash through the side openings to the interior behind the door hinges. I think there was a rubber boot to block it at one stage which is not there anymore.

I'm also wondering where the blower fan suck the outside air from.
I'm guessing the duct opens to the side panel somewhere?

[mudnut]

The air enters via the grill under the window and via the plenum chamber. The chamber allows water to drain down the inside of the mudguards.

[dom14]

The air enters via the grill under the window and the plenum chamber. The chamber allows water to drain down the inside of the mudguards.

Thanx. That explains the need for a filter or some sort. Lot of crap can get sucked into the fan propeller.
I'm bit amazed not to see more crap there.

[mudnut]

From what I can remember, the inlet opening is at the top of a hump in the floor of the chamber, so moisture and most of the crap is washed away.

[dom14]

From what I can remember, the inlet opening is at the top of a hump in the floor of the chamber, so moisture and most of the crap is washed away.

Ok, cool.
Is it still good to have a filter for the inlet opening?
Or am I overkilling it?

[mudnut]

I just incorporated the filter with the mesh. Easy peasy to renew the element and cheap as chips. Also comes with the advantage of not slowing the airflow when the unit is set for recirculation. I have been on some dusty roads, behind other vehicles, the air I received with the fan running was a lot cleaner.

[dom14]

From what I can remember, the inlet opening is at the top of a hump in the floor of the chamber, so moisture and most of the crap is washed away.

What material did you use for the filter, mate?

[mudnut]

I cut a bit out of the nylon fish filter sheets that you can get at pet shops.

[dom14]

I cut a bit out of the nylon fish filter sheets that you can get at pet shops.

Thanx mate.
Petbarn should have some of that stuff.
Cheers