‘83 733i Blower Issues

[Mikebear79]

The airflow out of the vents was always really weak and I could hear the blower going strong in the dash, so when I opened up the windshield cowling, I realized that the side baffles on the squirrel cage housings were all missing (part numbers 2, 4, & 10 in the diagram), thus not directing air downward into the condenser. I was able to get the parts, but upon trying to install them, realized that they rub up against the squirrel cages a lot and are probably why they were not put back on by the previous owner. Do I have the wrong blower motor? The cages are just shy of 3.5” long each. Also, what is that probe looking thing in one of the pics? It was just laying there but looks like it mounts somewhere or even zip tied to something at some point. Thanks - Mike



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[Hit Man X]

Third pic looks odd, maybe just angle. Vent volume is not a strong point on these. Worse with leaking pods that lose volume to the defrost flap and the boxes leak internally with age.

Do not expect modern car performance. Hell, even a W126 blows away the E23 HVAC system...yes pun intended.

[Mikebear79]

Yeah, I’ve read that before, but this is like horrendously bad. Feels like “low” on any other car, but I can hear the blower hauling ass. I did some more research and I think these squirrel cages might have come off an e28, which are skinnier and longer, whereas the pics I’m seeing of the e23 cages are fatter and shorter. Explains why the side baffles were never put back on. Air doesn’t seem to come out from any of the other vents in the car, but the face vents, so that’s good. I disconnected the fresh air doors from their pods and taped them closed to maximize cooling for now. It’s just a project car anyway, but when the daily driver is in the body shop for the next week getting repaired, and it’s 95 degrees outside, anything helps.

[Hit Man X]

Cages are about 3"x5"

Like I said, do not expect hair distorting air volume.