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How to relubricate a fan and/or service a troublesome/noisy fan.

Shrek said:
I'm a lazy bum; open up the cap, add engine oil and hope for the best :)
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Which engine oil? :laugh:

Anyhow...some grease or oil is great, after failure. As long as it is running, do not mess with it. :cool:
Once it failed, probably the grease or oil is cooked. So anything you add, must be: isolation & greasy/oily. :toast:
 
Mobil 1 5W-30

I beg to differ, I think it important to catch things before it stops running, to avoid damage.

I have opened up most all of my room fans to oil them, long before they stopped turning. One trick I try is to rotate the outer cage and if the fan blades follow the motion, the bearings are probably in need of oil.
 
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If the magic juice leaked out, and the relubrication ended up only being a short term fix, then chances are the tolerances have worn, and the unit is done.
 
Shrek said:
Mobile 1 5W-30

I beg to differ, I think it important to catch things before it stops running, to avoid damage.

I have opened up most all of my room fans to oil them, long before they stopped turning. One trick I try is to rotate the outer cage and if the fan blades follow the motion, the bearings are probably in need of oil.
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Well, even 5W-30 is too thick for the fan application...I would rather go with 0W-20. :cool: But what do I know, as a mech.eng.? :D

If fans stop running, then you have programs to stop the calcs...like for BOINC or some mining. :toast:

So I do not change anything until there is rattle or sound, when rotating. :cool: But I also gave up from normal cars, using more noisier blower cards, which do not increas temp. in case. :toast:
 
Tribology was never really my thing.
 
I am more concerned about "too thick oil", which will lower the rpms on 3~15W engine. :cool:
 
freeagent said:
If the magic juice leaked out, and the relubrication ended up only being a short term fix, then chances are the tolerances have worn, and the unit is done.
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Well, at the very least, damage that cannot be repaired has been done and further degradation is inevitable from there. The bearings are no longer perfectly round or smooth. Same with the bearing channels. As freeagent noted, the excessive wear will adversely affect tolerances. There will be "slop" in the motor. Re-lubing may slow further damage but not stop it. So regardless, re-lubing is just a temporary solution. How long it will last is anyone's guess. It could be years or days before that "slop" potentially causes the bearings to seize and the motor stop spinning.

IDK. I am not one who likes to waste money but IMO, the cost of a brand new replacement fan is dirt cheap compared to the hardware and data it protects. So when a fan starts to rumble, I simply replace it and be done with it.

I think it important to note this thread is about low voltage DC computer case and CPU fans. Not big AC blower motors like those found in HVAC systems or desk/room fans. Big difference.
 
Nice thread, I think i need this for my GPU fans. It quite noisy, and can hear parts grinding each other sometimes :D
 
kanamari said:
I think i need this for my GPU fans. It quite noisy, and can hear parts grinding each other
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Then you really need to just replace the fans as the damage has already been done and is irreversible. Relubricating now will (maybe) prolong the inevitable - the motor seizing. But, since you can hear "parts grinding each other", relubricating now at best will just [hopefully] give you enough time to research, purchase, and receive the replacement fans before your current fans fail completely.

Yes, relubricating now "may" give you years of extended service, but that is a gamble. Your bearings are worn due to the grinding. That means they are not perfectly round or as smooth as when new. And that means they could jam up and seize the motor at any time. And there is no way to predict when that "will" happen. Then you would be stuck without a graphics card. So be proactive and order your replacement fans now. Then you are prepared and any downtime will be short, and base on your schedule.
 
kanamari said:
Nice thread, I think i need this for my GPU fans. It quite noisy, and can hear parts grinding each other sometimes :D
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GPU fans are like any other for the most part and usually easily serviced. If you have any questions along the way, chime in and I'd be happy to help.

Bill_Bright said:
Then you really need to just replace the fans as the damage has already been done and is irreversible. Relubricating now will (maybe) prolong the inevitable - the motor seizing.
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This is not always true. The amount and volume of the noise being generated is not a definitive indicator of wear. There is no harm in servicing a fan. The worst that can happen is that relubing a fan will do nothing. This is a VERY rare thing. Most fans respond well to relubing and if done with proper care lasts much longer and will be quieted greatly if not completely.

@kanamari
Give it a go. The worst thing that will happen is nothing and at least you can tell yourself you tried. However, chances are VERY good that you will get a great result, or at the least an improvement.
 
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I'd stop short of exploratory drilling if there is no lube port beneath the sticker.


Now if you were to do so. Use a very small drill bit clamped facing upwards and slowly rotate the fan frame above it to avoid contamination. Obviously noticing the bit start to feel lubricated is a sign to stop. Check your work often to avoid going too deep. Also make sure to replug the hole after dripping lube in.
 
lexluthermiester said:
The amount and volume of the noise being generated is not a definitive indicator of wear.
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I was not going on the "amount" or "volume" of the noise. I was going on the description of the noise. The OP said he could hear parts "grinding" on each other.
 
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Oops. My bad. Sorry.

Yes, I meant kanamari who was specifically talking about hearing a "grinding" noise.
 
Shrek said:
Hopefully not off topic

I got a refurbished hand drill that would not always start up, but I was too lazy to return it; turned out one of the brushes was not running well in its holder. A clean up and a little silicone oil has it starting each and every time now.
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I used silicone on my RPi 4 cooling fan. It was creaking and groaning terribly. 2 drops and it was spinning faster and quieter than the other one. It said, "feed me too." So they're now immensely more effective. PS: Don't use silicon. It's very abrasive. lol
 
I just used 10W-40 motor oil that I use in my car. I've used fine machine oil commonly used for sewing machines, but it was too liquid and tend to sip out of the fan and spray on the frame of the fan from the inside.
 
I have honestly used vegetable oil in a pinch. On a 120x38 that I have.. thought it might help.. sure attracted a lot of dust until it all spun out :shadedshu:
 
Fully synthetic motor oil works great although in theory non-detergent oil is better.
 
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Six fans at $20 a shot really adds up.
 
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