Radiator fan motor autopsy

N2BUICK

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May 25, 2001
Just an observation on a failure more i haven't seen. The fan motors are pretty tuff haven't seen one fail yet.
Pictures show a motor i was going to salvage as i cannot determine its use.
Problem found was the permanent magnets have delaminated from the out motor case.
Real odd failure for sure.
If you ever have the fan assembly off it might pay to remove the three plastic screws that hold the fan blade on, an check yours.
If you get real curious remove the retainer clip on the shaft and pull the rotor out which exposes the brushes.
This maybe pretty hard as the magnets are real strong.
 

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That fan come off of a submerged car?
As filthy and rusty as the motor is, it's no wonder it delaminated....
 
I saw the rust and wondered.
It's been in storage for 20 + years, came from a pull a part car i think.
Some of the magnets had wear marks from dragging on the rotor. The motor was turning at sometime with loose magnets attracted to the rotor.
Bet that plays hell with the amp draw.
 
As you mentioned the car had sat for over 20 years, and this a rare problem. But if the fan wasn't delaminated I would be surprised. Looks has if that fan was victim of salt water of Hurricane Katrina.
 
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