Access interior fan?

[Grapes]

I tried the workplace manual but I'd like to double check if I understand it correctly. I need to remove the front right fender in order to reach it correct?
So: drill the rivets, remove the fender, unscrew the two bolts at the top, disconnect and for assembly reverse the order and pop it back in place?
Mine has burnt through something months ago (smoke came from all vents when I turned it on) and I want to fix or replace it. Is there a more modern replacement I can consider? Something with more power and/or less noise? Or perhaps a DIY solution?

[roy4matra]

I tried the workplace manual but I'd like to double check if I understand it correctly. I need to remove the front right fender in order to reach it correct?
So: drill the rivets, remove the fender, unscrew the two bolts at the top, disconnect and for assembly reverse the order and pop it back in place?

By fender you mean the complete RH front wing?  No, that is incorrect!  The panel in front of the internal heater motor and casing, has a curve in it, and that must be removed.  But if you look carefully, you will see that the small panel in front of that panel with the curve, overlaps it, so you have to remove that small panel first before you can remove the panel with the curve around the motor casing.  The RH front wing - the painted panel that forms the outer body work does not need to be removed.

Roy

[Grapes]

Oh, yep I meant front wing. Glad to hear that's not the case. I'll have a look and see if I can get access in a bit. I noticed on my car there is no panel in front of it which explains all the dust in that corner.

[Grapes]

Looks like I still have to drill through some rivets though right?

The manual only mentions removing those two bolts but the whole panel looks riveted in place with the small rivets as indicated in my picture with the top arrow. As far as I could see at least one on the left and right side or are there more?

Also the top bolts seem to be sealed with something like gasket silicone or is that just the washers?

[Grapes]

Anyone else who could shed some light on this?

[roy4matra]

Anyone else who could shed some light on this?

What more do you need?  You've been told you need to remove the panel with the curved shape in the front compartment, and that is only fastened in with rivets, so it is obvious you have to drill them out to remove it.  Those two bolts you have marked are nothing to do with the fixing of the panel.  Don't undo them until after the panel is off.  They only hold up the bracket holding the fan housing.  Once the panel is off, you disconnect the wiring socket, then you remove the bolts to be able to remove the fan housing.  Once it is out you can strip it to get at the motor.

Yes, the panel that should overlap the motor panel is missing, and you can see it is letting all the muck thrown up by the wheel into the front compartment - I have never seen such a dirty interior.  You need to replace that after fixing the fan motor.

Roy

[Grapes]

Ah, to me it wasn't clear that it's fixed with rivets or not. This was the crucial part that was missing.

Thank you for clarifying!

Yes I indeed plan to put something there. I've brushed it clean again for now.

[Oetker]

The plate you mis. Electronics don"t are not original.


Bolts that hold the fan