Front fan and resistor unit - easiest way to get at?

[agentdagnamit]

I think my fan is about to sieze up (again) and burn out the resistor, not good with a frost last night for the first time this year. I'm sure I can lube it up and fix it if I can get to it, but I'm a real noob when it comes to fettling around under the bonnet. Can someone explain in simple terms how to identify and access the fan, so I can overhaul the bearings?

I had this done once before by a garage, but I'm sure there's no need to spend money getting it done by a pro.

cheers
Stu

[dave_aber]

Update your user profile, so we know where you live (approximately). There may be a bongo expert round the corner....

[francophile1947]

Lift the bonnet and remove the big black ducting - fan is at the back and can be seen through the rectangular hole in the ducting.

[dave_aber]

And the resistor pack is right on top in the middle of the thing behind the wee fusebox. 2 screws and it's out.

[daveblueozzie]

the resistor is directly in the centre under the bonnet underneath the drain hole, it is covered by a black box, as in the picture below.

[Northern Bongolow]

to remove the fan.2 bolts hold the fuse box in place,remove this,and pull to one side.
remove the air in ducting.
behind the rad is the wiring connector,unclip this.
2 bolts up against the bulkhead(behind the passyside cubby box)undo these.
4 screws hold the ducting down onto the fan top.
2 bolts hold the fan/case to the heater rad mount,remove these and lift out of the bottom slide fittings.
thats the fan out.
turn over remove 3 screws.
remove wire connection.
remove cover.(drill hole out to 10mm to stop it filling with water again later.)
2 screws hold end plate on motor,remove carefully,watch for the springs going boing.clean,service.lubricate.reassemble.
clean face of heater rad with soft wire brush,watch out for the jap dragonflies.blow out with airline or footpump.
sorry if ive left out the odd bolt here and there.its from memory,and im getting on abit.
should take about 1 hour to do the job.
its one of the nicer jobs that you can do on a bongo,you dont have to lay down in the rain,and you can have a brew while your doing it

[agentdagnamit]

Thanks everyone. Removed the air intake and other ducting to get access to the fan, I thought it was then just a case of undoing the (8mm ?) nut on the fan axle to lift it out, but unfortunately not. Looks like I'll need to follow the instructions above.... Not sure why Mazda made it trickier than it need to be, but I'm new to mechanics and starting to realise that is often the case!

cheers
Stu

[waycar8]

Bloody hell, just got back from working down in Lockleaze all week in turner gardens, drove past you on way from digs every morning, is yours the black one? near kellaway ave?

Could have come over and helped ya one evening, you were about 5 minute drive from digs done my fan on my old bongo a couple of times got back home today.

[agentdagnamit]

Thanks Ady, spot on and job now done. I think you were only out by 1 screw ! Really pleased to have successfully carried out a job on my van, albeit simple!

Would appreciate tips for cleaning the grill, headed a toothbrush and bent it through 90 degrees in the end, sort of did the job.

cheers
Stu

ps - there must be 100 Bongo's in this postarea, mine isnt black, but you probably werent far away