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

[Dr. Dro]

I know.. It was a terrible idea. I was trying to quieten industrial fans when I was new to industrial fans lol..

Thought maybe they needed some lube.. nope.. they are just loud..

I got those fans in 2006 and used them until ~2021ish when I got sick of hearing them.

They absolutely blow away any consumer fan that I have used, except maybe 140mm iPPC 3k might come close.. but I have a 90x35 that is stronger than that iPPC lol..

Yep, it's either machine oil or synthetic motor oil IMO, either mixed with dielectric grease or pure to relube them up. If pure, a lighter oil is preferred. Semi-synth and mineral motor oil might turn into a goopy mess or tar after a while, and vegetable oils will either dry or actually cause resistance after they inevitably dry up.

The iPPCs are probably about as good a fan as it'll get, without going into the specialized or esoteric (Delta, etc), their build quality is simply insane.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I am just saying, as a blanket statement, there are always exceptions. And why?

Because,

Additionally, not all silicone lubricants are made equal

The guide I created in the OP was created with a specific goal in mind and will stay the way it is.

And I will be direct here. As I said in my very first post in this thread,

Very nice tutorial, Lex. No doubt, performing these tasks will definitely prolong the life of many fans.

My opinion has not changed. As a step-by-step procedural guide, especially with all the photos, it is excellent.

But I stand by what I said in my last post too; thoroughly cleaning out the old lubricant is critical and then (bold underline added for emphasis),

Once thoroughly clean, at that point, IMO, as long as the new lubricant is designed for small motor use, the type of lubricant matters little, if any. You can use silicone based, lithium based, or petroleum based. But not corn or canola based oils.

I have honestly used vegetable oil in a pinch.

Issue with vegetable oil is that it gets sticky over time.

And degrades. Veggy oil belongs in the kitchen, not the PC.

It would have to be an extreme emergency for a mission critical system, and a very short term "pinch" for me to use vegetable oil. Vegetable oil not only degrades, it "turns" - that is, once it is exposed to air, it starts to oxidize, go "rancid", and can even get moldy.

I think if I was that desperate, and needed urgently to free up a seizing fan, I would go find some Vaseline, Vick's Vaporub, or maybe soft beeswax! Then HOPEFULLY that will keep the fan going and hold me over while I went and catabolized a fan out of another computer to hold me over while I went down to Ace Hardware to get some real lubricant to hold me over until the new fan arrived. Whew!

 

[Shrek]

If I recall, in the old days vegetable-based oils were used for racing (regardless, don't use them in fans).

The problem with silicone oils is that most don't have the additives to make for good lubrication (zinc-based additives and the like).

 

[lexluthermiester]

I am just saying, as a blanket statement, there are always exceptions.

You and I both know that's true, but for the average PC user that needs to fix a fan, making things complicated can be off-putting to someone who's on the fence about the procedure. The point of the guide was to show users of all experience ranges that servicing a fan is easy-breezy and just needs attention to the basics to be effective.

And I will be direct here. As I said in my very first post in this thread

You know me, I can get far more aggressive. The vocabulary chosen in the above statement was done carefully to the effect of taking a firm stance without seeming like a directed attack. I know you mean well here.

I think if I was that desperate, and needed urgently to free up a seizing fan, I would go find some Vaseline

You know what? I've done that! It worked so well that I looked into it This is why I use a blend of motor oil and dielectric grease, which is very close to what vaseline contains. It works very well.

 

[Frick]

Now that we have direct access to the bearing chamber, we can apply the lubricant. I use a special blend mix of 10W40 motor oil and Dielectric grease in a 50/50 ratio.
However, any quality oil will work fine. Try to avoid spray-can lubricants as they can be very messy to apply. WD-40 and similar spray fluids should be avoided as they're not designed to be a bearing oil and degrade/break-down easily.

How thick is that mix? I have a bottle of sewing machine oil and it's a bit to runny for my tastes, but then I grew up around grease rather than oil (tractors) so it's probably a skill issue...

Also I looked at the bottle and the specs for it and says product lifetime 24 months. To those of you knowledgable, how true is that? Since we're talking about lubrication.

You know what? I've done that! It worked so well that I looked into it This is why I use a blend of motor oil and dielectric grease, which is very close to what vaseline contains. It works very well.

Vaseline is so good.

 

[bonehead123]

Please note, Do not use silicone based lubricants! Those types do not have the properties needed to make a good fan bearing lubricant!
Oil and grease based lubricants are the best.

^^THIS^^ Although silicone lube is good for alot of things (hinges, latches, handles etc), spinning/hi-speed bearings are NOT one of them... been there, done that, never again !

@lexluthermiester.....A great job, this guide should be really helpful for those not in the know, as well as helping folks to not just trash old fans & buy new ones, which is good for the environmment as well as the wallet

 

[freeagent]

It was literally a drop or two from a Q-tip guys.. I didn't pour the whole bottle in

Edit:

The fan in question is still good, after 15 years of 24/7 service

 

[lexluthermiester]

How thick is that mix?

It's still fluid and will flow, but it's got viscosity to it and will stick to the bearing surfaces and stay there.

I have a bottle of sewing machine oil and it's a bit to runny for my tastes

I agree. Sewing machine oil is too light to be effective long term in the context of a fan bearing lube. It'd work in a pinch, but you'd want follow up with a better suited solution.

but then I grew up around grease rather than oil (tractors) so it's probably a skill issue...

Straight grease is something I tried a few times but it was always just too viscus to work well as a fan bearing lube. Mixing the two makes for a very solid and ideal middle ground compound, IMO.

It was literally a drop or two from a Q-tip guys.. I didn't pour the whole bottle in

We, know. We're just razzing you for giggles.

^^THIS^^ Although silicone lube is good for alot of things (hinges, latches, handles etc), spinning/hi-speed bearings are NOT one of them... been there, done that, never again !

@lexluthermiester.....A great job, this guide should be really helpful for those not in the know, as well as helping folks to not just trash old fans & buy new ones, which is good for the environmment as well as the wallet

Thank you! A lot of people in the world have to be very careful how they spend their money and still others take environmental considerations very seriously and want to extend the life of the things they have for as long as possible. Preventing needless waste and reusing something that only needs a bit of help is the whole idea.

 

[KLiKzg]

Oh yeah, servicing fans is something I do on a regular basis. One or two a month, on average.

I do not know what kind of "quality product fans" you use? But surely I do not change fans for years. & most of them I do not lubricate.

Maybe you can share those quality products with us here?

0W is too thin to last very long in a fan bearing situation and 5W is better, but also too thin to last a long time. They don't "stick" to the bearing surfaces as well and often bleed off from centrifugal force. Ask me how I know..

Depend on the bearing...some bearing designs like the viscosity of 0W, some don't.

"Too thin" is usually a measure of a "lousy quality", from my point of view.

I've never seen a bearing set that isn't some sort of metal that resists corrosion. Most are steel of some stainless variety. The "softness" doesn't enter into the equation as we're talking about friction stress loads that are very minor in the great scheme of things.

The outside case usually has the protective sheet or layer of chemically put anti-corrosive metals on the steel. Yes, that is the case!

But the "stainless steel" is soft kind of steel. Which is why most of the steel in a car on structural parts is not stainless - too soft. For similarity example: knuckles on a car are protected in rubber with greasy filling inside, not only to protect the knuckle with friction, but also to protect it from elements. So as soon as rubber goes, then the greasy stuff goes out (whatever it is, as it depends from manufacturer) & the the knuckle rusts.

Believe me, materials are interesting subject to choose from in designing a product.

Some of them likely. Depends on the maker. The shaft is unlikely to be anything other than steel.

I have seen so much of the polymer versions of a shafts, which also do the trick...not to mention the special kevlar or teflon versions...

And degrades. Veggy oil belongs in the kitchen, not the PC.

Yes, if you like Alzheimer...but lets not OT.

How thick is that mix? I have a bottle of sewing machine oil and it's a bit to runny for my tastes, but then I grew up around grease rather than oil (tractors) so it's probably a skill issue...

Also I looked at the bottle and the specs for it and says product lifetime 24 months. To those of you knowledgable, how true is that? Since we're talking about lubrication.

Some oils, including the engine oils, do oxidize. Hence the recommendation to change the oil in a car every year!

Same comes here in fans, as they do heat up (note that CPU & GPU do heat up to 60~90°C) so oxidation is increased.

Thank you! A lot of people in the world have to be very careful how they spend their money and still others take environmental considerations very seriously and want to extend the life of the things they have for as long as possible. Preventing needless waste and reusing something that only needs a bit of help is the whole idea.

Well, with fans it is like with the car's turbo...you can service it once, maybe even twice, then it is just for garbage!

& to put only oil into a bearing which has overrun it life-time...that is asking a hazard to happen! But you go do it, your computer...your property...

Just do not ask us to follow you in that direction! As it is nonsense from an engineering point of view.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I do not know what kind of "quality product fans" you use? But surely I do not change fans for years. & most of them I do not lubricate.

You understand I own a computer shop, right? I service fans as a normal part of providing service to customers. I'm not servicing my own fans multiple times a year. Seriously with that?

Some oils, including the engine oils, do oxidize.

Only under high heat, such as the conditions found in an vehicle engine. Fan bearings never get that hot. Ever.

Hence the recommendation to change the oil in a car every year!

Well yeah, but again high heat. Those conditions also make the oil very acidic over time. Not going to happen in a fan bearing.

Same comes here in fans, as they do heat up (note that CPU & GPU do heat up to 60~90°C) so oxidation is increased.

Are you kidding? Fans blow air away from their own motor, they do not absorb heat from the things they're blowing air onto. And again automotive oil does not oxidize at the temps PCs operate at.

Well, with fans it is like with the car's turbo...you can service it once, maybe even twice, then it is just for garbage!

That is your ignorance showing. A turbo, much like a fan, when properly serviced will last a LONG time.

& to put only oil into a bearing which has overrun it life-time...that is asking a hazard to happen!

Oh? Please do explain to all us knuckle-draggers how a tiny amount of a mostly inert fluid injected into a fan bearing is hazardous to our PC's or us... Go on, we'll wait..

Just do not ask us to follow you in that direction! As it is nonsense from an engineering point of view.

You do you. Everyone else will get their fans working again. Now take your pathetic trolling elsewhere.

 

[KLiKzg]

Only under high heat, such as the conditions found in an vehicle engine. Fan bearings never get that hot. Ever.

Well yeah, but again high heat. Those conditions also make the oil very acidic over time. Not going to happen in a fan bearing.

Engine oil is designed to be working around 100°C...CPU & GPU do heat up from 60~90°C, which is similar.
Do note that engine oil is usually sealed inside a case...which is not the case with fan bearings, which is more open to air.

So, again...from mechanical point of view - you are simply wrong, again!

Are you kidding? Fans blow air away from their own motor, they do not absorb heat from the things they're blowing air onto. And again automotive oil does not oxidize at the temps PCs operate at.

Even if the fan is in front of CPU or GPU cooler, there is not only air that transmits temp., but also something called "heat radiation". & that has a very much influence in thigh spaces, where fans are next to cooler, for example - now let me see - in computer cases.

Then, there are some fans that are put after the CPU cooler, in hot air which is about 60~90°C. Examples are even on my workstations designed by Lenovo or Dell.

Then, there is a fan that pulls hot air from the case, which also works in heated environment of 50°+C.

Then, there is a PSU fan which also draws hot air from the PSU to exhaust area, again talking about 50°+C.

Do you know even how much is the engine oil usually heated? Or even how heated is the engine coolant?

That is your ignorance showing. A turbo, much like a fan, when properly serviced will last a LONG time.

No it will not...turbo's can be services once or maybe twice, after which a new turbo needs to be purchased.

But that is your shameful thinking that something which spins 120.000~150.000rpms can be serviced indefinitely. No, it can't!

Please stick to your computer servicing & leave car mechanics to people who actually do know these things.

Oh? Please do explain to all us knuckle-draggers how a tiny amount of a mostly inert fluid injected into a fan bearing is hazardous to our PC's or us... Go on, we'll wait..

Well, if you ever did do your ESD certificate, you would know the answer. As I am not paid to educate you, so I am pointing you in the right direction.

Do check it or don't...I don't care. Again, it is your business!

You do you. Everyone else will get their fans working again. Now take your pathetic trolling elsewhere.

Well, you are ripping your customers for your working hours. Hope they do not find out, what is your business made out from.

I certainly would not use your services.

& again, I am not the one following other people in other chats & posting trolling messages - this is what you do, right. Maybe people can see proof here.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Engine oil is designed to be working around 100°C...CPU & GPU do heat up from 60~90°C, which is similar.
Do note that engine oil is usually sealed inside a case...which is not the case with fan bearings, which is more open to air.

So, again...from mechanical point of view - you are simply wrong, again!

Even if the fan is in front of CPU or GPU cooler, there is not only air that transmits temp., but also something called "heat radiation". & that has a very much influence in thigh spaces, where fans are next to cooler, for example - now let me see - in computer cases.

Then, there are some fans that are put after the CPU cooler, in hot air which is about 60~90°C. Examples are even on my workstations designed by Lenovo or Dell.

Then, there is a fan that pulls hot air from the case, which also works in heated environment of 50°+C.

Then, there is a PSU fan which also draws hot air from the PSU to exhaust area, again talking about 50°+C.

Do you know even how much is the engine oil usually heated? Or even how heated is the engine coolant?

No it will not...turbo's can be services once or maybe twice, after which a new turbo needs to be purchased.

But that is your shameful thinking that something which spins 120.000~150.000rpms can be serviced indefinitely. No, it can't!

Please stick to your computer servicing & leave car mechanics to people who actually do know these things.

Well, if you ever did do your ESD certificate, you would know the answer. As I am not paid to educate you, so I am pointing you in the right direction.

Do check it or don't...I don't care. Again, it is your business!

Well, you are ripping your customers for your working hours. Hope they do not find out, what is your business made out from.

I certainly would not use your services.

& again, I am not the one following other people in other chats & posting trolling messages - this is what you do, right. Maybe people can see proof here.

a friendly suggestion to join in the fun of another, but related, thread.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I do not know what kind of "quality product fans" you use? But surely I do not change fans for years. & most of them I do not lubricate.

You understand I own a computer shop, right? I service fans as a normal part of providing service to customers. I'm not servicing my own fans multiple times a year.

Same here, KLiKZg. For my own personal computers, I start with quality cases from major brands as they typically come with better quality fans - and more than one fan too. More fans means you can run them at slower speeds and still move massive amounts of air through the case, but quietly. Slower speeds also means significantly less wear on the fans, thus a longer life.

So on my own personal fans, I cannot remember the last time I needed to replace one due to noise - it has been over 20 years.

However, like Lex, we have clients come in with fans that are making noise, slowing down, or have seized completely. If the fan still spins, we give them 2 choices - replace the fan or see if we can quiet it down and extend the life a little by cleaning and relubricating it. Some, especially those on tight budgets, go the re-lube route, even though it typically just puts off replacement for now.

Do note that engine oil is usually sealed inside a case.... .

Ummm, no it isn't. It is "contained" in a case but it definitely is NOT "sealed". In fact, car engines are intentionally vented (typically through the oil "breather" cap or filler tube) by the engine's "oil breather system" to allow moisture, excess pressure and fumes to escape the crankcase.

which is not the case with fan bearings, which is more open to air.

No they aren't. In fact, the label over the fan motor's bearing chamber is often referred to as the "seal" as it not only prevents the lubricant from leaking out, but it "seals out" contaminated air.

leave car mechanics [and electronics] to people who actually do know these things.

I might suggest you heed your own advice.

Moving on. You should too.

 

[freeagent]

The fans I use are pretty much all sealed, no air. No muss, no fuss.

I start with quality cases from major brands as they typically come with better quality fans

I do have to say, the fans that come with my PA602 are excellent. And my weak attempt at finding more has come up fruitless..

Edit:

I just ordered 3x 140s and 2x 200s from Asus, they have a lead time of 4-9 weeks lol..

 

[Dr. Dro]

Please stick to your computer servicing & leave car mechanics to people who actually do know these things.

Well, if you ever did do your ESD certificate, you would know the answer. As I am not paid to educate you, so I am pointing you in the right direction.

Do check it or don't...I don't care. Again, it is your business!

Well, you are ripping your customers for your working hours. Hope they do not find out, what is your business made out from.

I certainly would not use your services.

That's the funniest thing I've ever read on the forum, and I've read some conspiracy theories here that would make Alex Jones in his height blush. When did lubricating fans become ESD unsafe?

To put it in perspective, I'm the sort who can fix a computer blindfolded, and if Lex was close by I'd have him rebuild my own machine. He's 100% trustworthy and being perfectly honest with you? This is one of the highest quality threads this forum has ever seen. Please show due respect.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I just ordered 3x 140s and 2x 200s from Asus, they have a lead time of 4-9 weeks lol..

Wow! Why not get some Arctics or Thermalright fans? Amazon and other places readily have them available. Or did you order a special set?

To put it in perspective, I'm the sort who can fix a computer blindfolded, and if Lex was close by I'd have him rebuild my own machine. He's 100% trustworthy and being perfectly honest with you? This is one of the highest quality threads this forum has ever seen. Please show due respect.

Wow again! And Thank You good sir!

 

[freeagent]

Wow! Why not get some Arctics or Thermalright fans? Amazon and other places readily have them available. Or did you order a special set?

Yeah, the front fans on this case are 200x38, and the rear is 140x38.. I really like these fans lol.. the extra fronts would be replacements just in case I needed them, and the 140s would be great on a nice Thermalright 420 rad.. wink wink.. or if I was air cooling they would be great up top. I can run these stock case fans at max speed and not be annoyed in the slightest. Not only that, but the price I was quoted is as cheap as some of the fans you mentioned

 

[Shrek]

Had a SMPS battery charger where the fan failed right away, but rather than send it back under warrantee, I was too lazy and just added some oil.

 

[*8088]

You are right - I am totally confused.


No. Just the opposite. He specifically said,


One of us is confused. If me, please show me where?

Lubricant Silicone good. Silicon bad lubricant.

There's some merit to that, but that is not the only function. Some of those detergents work to improve lubricity and protect the metal friction surfaces. These are qualities that are of benefit.


You might be right. It's possible I misunderstood them. Base on the sentence structure of the comments, I got the impression they were being sarcastic. Thus the "PS".

Let's let them chime in and clarify.

Either way, the edit to the OP is valid. Silicone lubricants are not ideal for fan bearings and should be avoided.

Not being sarcastic. silicon is abrasive. especially the large granules when they get in your bra. lol. P.S. After I posted, I came back after the weekend, and the fans were noisy again. Added more silicone to allow my test to persist. Will update later. Maybe.

 

[Bill_Bright]

After I posted, I came back after the weekend, and the fans were noisy again. Added more silicone to allow my test to persist. Will update later. Maybe.

Noise returning after relubricating just confirms the fact relubricating is not a permanent solution. Bearing noise is caused by worn bearings, worn bearing channels or more likely, both. Wear is damage that cannot be repaired.

Time to start researching new, replacement fans.

Not being sarcastic, but I can think of worse places to have silicon granules get stuck.

 

[nomdeplume]

I have a bottle of sewing machine oil and it's a bit to runny for my tastes, but then I grew up around grease rather than oil (tractors) so it's probably a skill issue...

Also I looked at the bottle and the specs for it and says product lifetime 24 months. To those of you knowledgable, how true is that? Since we're talking about lubrication.

Two ideas impact lubrication.

90 year old well sealed sewing machine oil was made with better stuff than you will find outside of commercial products today and will still perform better. Where bearings are concerned light oil is always better in a sealed environment because it won't degrade or gum up. As a general term sewing machine oil infers a product well suited for use on consumer case fans as opposed to a standardized quality.

Second is application it will be used in flinging the lubricant outside of intended chamber (oil for racing, grease for everything else ). If your fan blades are covered in a light film due to poor internal construction your choice moves from ideal to realistic. Same goes for a poor rear seal or fans that cannot maintain functionality as top intake. Inversely you can have a poorly manufactured fan last ages beyond a high quality one with consistent maintenance because it fails to rely on an impeccable balance of factors impacting perfection in use.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Not being sarcastic. silicon is abrasive. especially the large granules when they get in your bra. lol. P.S. After I posted, I came back after the weekend, and the fans were noisy again. Added more silicone to allow my test to persist. Will update later. Maybe.

You should really switch over to a petroleum based oil. Seriously, Synthetic motor oil is wonderful. 10w40 works like a dream, but even 3in1 would be better.

Noise returning after relubricating just confirms the fact relubricating is not a permanent solution.

Or they're using an ineffective lubricant. Using a type better suited for the task would likely be the right solution long term.

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

So much consternation about fans.

I just replace the offending fan. Got boxes full of them.

 

[Shrek]

I came back after the weekend, and the fans were noisy again. Added more silicone to allow my test to persist. Will update later. Maybe.

Try normal oil.

 

[lexluthermiester]

So much consternation about fans.

I just replace the offending fan. Got boxes full of them.

You've missed the point of this tread..