issues with heater motor

[D O M Z]

Hey lads,

anyone have any experience with a 350z heater motor? I'm assuming it's pretty similar to most heater motors, but at the mo I'm having some issues with my bro's car. When I turn the heater up the motor itself sounds as if it's getting ready to explode. It makes a sort of sound as if something is caught and when it spins, it makes the same whirling noise that is very loud and gets even louder when the speed gets turned up almost to the point where it literally sounds as if it's just going to break.

Someone suggested that something may be lodged in there or floating around. It has been sitting for a couple of weeks and there was a heap of snow piled on it and eventually melted as the weather got warmer. Don't know if that makes a difference or not.

Is the heater motor an independent assembly or is it belt driven? Not entire sure, but it does sound as if it's coming from under the passenger side dash. Haven't had time to look at it, but just wondering if anyone with a 350 has had any similar issues. Any help would be awesome!

Cheers.