Cabin blower motor & filter | Dealer? Or DIY! | Audi A4 B8

[@thecarpsmith]

This is a fantastic video! Thank you. I had the whole blower swapped out in under 90 minutes, outside in December (Ontario, post snow storm 2022)! Also to note that the two screws for the resistor block are T15 heads. You didn't need the 5.5mm socket. I got the replacement blower from Amazon for under $100.

[@AshleyCameira]

Hey, great video thanks. As for the time from the dealer you have to remember that the mechanic starts his time as he gets the keys. Goes outside brings the car in and into his bay. You can count a good 5-10min just for that.

[@Signify123]

This is so incredibly far from correct lmao. Dealer times all come from set labor times from the manufacturer. Any repair, on any vehicle, from any manufacture, has a set labor time attached to it. Let’s say the labor time is 2 hours as this blower motor is. If the repair takes him two hours, he gets paid two hours. If the repair takes him one hour, he gets paid 2 hours. If the repair takes him an entire 8 hour shift, he still gets paid two hours. Dealers are not out here screwing people like people think, people just can’t afford the car they drive so they blame it on the mechanic. And I’m not even a mechanic anymore saying all this.

[@ryangraham8208]

Thank you for the great video! I had mine swapped in 1.5 hours. I purchased a new blower motor off Amazon and it is the same as the OEM I pulled out of my 2012 A4 Avant. No more squeaky fan noise is bliss. I hope to see more A4 Avant videos in the future!

[@michaelplevan]

It's easy to get frustrated trying to fumble the plastic lid back in. Hack: roll over on your back, looking up. That'll make it super easy.

[@cruzever09]

Here in California I'm at Volkswagen and we charge 220 an hour so audi should be around 250 to 270, those times go off something that every shop uses and rounds up thr times.

[@cruzever09]

So goes off how fast ppl do the Job , so some ppl work slower then otheres!

[@FigureItAudi]

@@cruzever09 Awesome, I was hoping someone who could speak from the dealer side would tune in. And your answer surprises me; so, you're saying there is NOT standard time estimates based on every service - it's a tech-by-tech estimation of how fast THEY can do the job (I presume they relay that estimate to the service department to then give the quote to the customer)? Am I understanding that right? Because that would infer that a less experienced (ie. slower) person would actually cost you more for a job...which is double bad. Because the customer is paying more and not even getting the benefit of an experienced tech. I guess my point here and in the video is, a lack of standardization is what I struggle with.

[@cruzever09]

@@FigureItAudi yes from my understanding too that's correct they don't time like a fast working tech , all the times are off for like an example they charge 2 hours for brake Job while like a intake manifold on a 3.6 pays 2 hours witch clearly can do the brake Job in 30 minutes all the times are off and I use to write service as well we can charge anything we want we charge .02 for pollen I can charge .05 for the blower motor as well just depends on the shop.

[@azthundercloud]

$80 and a case of beer. 1 hour taking my time. Been there done that on my q7.

[@mikelemon1147]

I usually go one step deeper by taking the old unit a part and try to understand what the issue is and I try to repair just for kicks. Also, I do not like feeding the landfill more or our waste.

[@NassahTheOne]

This video is just what I was looking for ! My A4 2014 has stopped blowing air and cooling fan from the radiator is not kicking when power on the AC. I checked the fuses and they’re all good. I was wondering if it’s a resistor or a blower fan problem, what would you advise me to check first ? I’m subscribing to your channel btw. Videos are really helpful! 🔥🔥 thanks !

[@eagle0912]

I have gas fumes in cabin when I turn on ac and I don't know if it has to do with the motor ?

[@darrenlynchmedia5149]

Same issue. Would be keen to know why also...

[@billyraygilmore2144]

Great, I just done but fan is not super high,it came with a new resistor, blower is working but not moving my lanyard on my mirror!

[@antoneo7853]

😲 you are being robbed...🤯60 euros for blower motor and 30 to 40 euros for mechanic.

[@mikelemon1147]

Definitely DIY. Really appreciate you sharing and the amazing clarity in your videos and the concise and articulation. My guess you are an engineer either mechanical or electrical lol. I am exactly like you so you resonate with me :) Again, much appreciated.

[@FigureItAudi]

Perhaps in another life but my day job is more about digital products than physical ones. I do enjoy learning how things work though - even electrical, which is by far my weakest area of my automotive hobbies. Which answers why I didn't take the fan apart further re: your other comment.

Thanks for this awesome walkthrough! Super easy to follow. Curious how and with what did you clean the corrosion of the top of the resistor? Does it make a difference to clean it? 12:41

[@FigureItAudi]

I wirebrushed a bit of it off but it really doesn't matter much - the important part was not having any water ingress in the first place. It's also just a good reminder to keep an eye on the air inlet duct up behind the firewall and keep as much organic junk out of there as possible.

[@davids4422]

Excellent video!

[@brianball4912]

@figureitaudi - Thanks for the video. I have not completed the swap in my Q5, however I think there is a tab that allows the blower to twist, and not sure that it matters (you are removing the old blower anyway) but I think the video captures the breaking of the tab when you turned the blower. Excellent cost comparison, great to have a Canadian perspective as well! Also, most mechanical jobs are piece rate - quoted chunk of time - a quick and skilled mechanic can log 15 hours in an 8 hour day. If something goes sideways, a bolt is stripped, Murphy's Law steps in, they don't loose their shirt. The trouble is, many mechanics are working for $35 - $50 an hour and the upcharge on the labor is killer - especially with the "Fancy" European cars.

[@ratspam7655]

5:33 Gross! and exactly what mine looked like when I pulled it. Dirty Filter weighed 372.7g. New Hengst filter weighs 203.2g. 17:49 All VW/Audi sourced parts have a 38% profit margin for the dealer. The dealers are expensive because of overhead from the new looking "everything" to the girl with the big boobs who just answers the phone. You won't find those at an independent shop nor are the independents contractually required to move the dealership and/or renovate regularly in order to maintain their franchise obligations. 19:41 Squirrel cage blower motors will have that notch rotational feel due to the magnets inside.

[@stainthorpe1ify]

You are correct about the clips on the fan blades I used to build huge 30' fans out of steel and we welded weights on to balance the rotation and minimize vibration. Good call.

[@Kyle900t]

Does the B7 A4 have a filter under the dash aswell? I should do mine if thats the case.

[@FigureItAudi]

Not under the dash - it's up in the engine bay in the battery tray space, just under a little black plastic cover. Even easier to replace than the B8.

[@Kyle900t]

@@FigureItAudi Ah yes! That one I replaced recently. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing the new old Audi!

[@adriancaravan3753]

Thank very much for this video was helpful for me .👋

[@lungaro]

Great video. My blower is doing the exact same sound. It took me a while to realise it was the blower. Thought it was coming from the passenger door/speaker.

[@danielcollins2617]

Thank you for your videos. They are well done, well edited and very informative. Keep up the good work. Not bad for a corporate stooge. 😊

[@Fujit_01]

I just discovered a great channel, your videos are rich in information!

[@meinsgtv]

great video! very clear picture in details. thanks! Just a reminder, disconnect the battery before you start working because of the passenger side airbag! PS: you remind me of Michael Scofield in prison break, intelligent, claim, clearheaded.

[@zilla4593]

🔥

[@jenny80myles]

Was the parts price including shipping? I hesitate buying from the US because of shipping and duty.

[@FigureItAudi]

No, I didn't include shipping and duties (much like how I left out taxes) in effort to standardize the cost comparisons. *Most* people watching this will be from the US and effectively never pay shipping on the parts they purchase online, and as a Canadian I've come to terms with the added costs of being a car enthusiast related to geography. When I'm feeling bitter about shipping, duty and brokerage fees, I remind myself of the reality of paying shop rates for labour. I have yet to run into a job that the part cost and installation complexity was so high that I regretted doing it. Plus, there's no warranty on "local" part purchases, at all.

[@hitmanjls30]

Great video! Well reasoned.

[@jenny80myles]

You are such a teaser. :)

[@dylancruz1780]

So mine will only blow for a lil bit and cut out you think it’s my control module?

[@FigureItAudi]

It could be. Do you have the ability to provide power and ground to the fan directly? I would bench test the fan to confirm it still works first. I'm not sure what voltage the fan requires (as in, don't necessarily hook it to a 12v battery source and accidentally fry the fan) to do it properly, but that would be my first test.

[@thisiswilson]

Best video yet!!!