On mine, there is some kind of sealant on the "cap" area at rear end of
motor. (looks like PO did it) The sealant is failing/failed. There is also a
small hole where stuff **might** get in over time.

I wonder if sealing up any openings or gaps at rear end of motor would help
prevent failure?

Neil.

On Dec 21, 2007 10:24 AM, Allan Streib <streib@cs.indiana.edu> wrote:

> All the ones I've had fail (3 -- none actually on a Vanagon since I've
> never owned one before, but on same era VWs) have been bearing
> failures, or possibly a seal failure that allowed moisture/dirt/salt
> to cause a bearing failure.
>
> Allan
>
> "neil N" <musomuso@gmail.com> writes:
>
> > Obviously all things mechanical eventually fail. Interesting to hear
> > opinions on failures or not. I would imagine that salt and moisture
> > are big factors in fan motor failure. From what I saw in archives,
> > the problems with fans were mostly related to the electrical side of
> > things.
> >
> > I'll probably install a bypass switch and "fan on" light.
> >
> > For now the one I have should be fine. I'll look into Pro Long or
> > other lubes.  I'm tempted to remove the end cover and see if I can
> > sneak some oil in there, but maybe I'll save that exploration for a
> > broken fan motor!
> >
> > Neil.
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco"  (Bustorius) http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

Engine swap beginings: http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/