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

[ShrimpBrime]

That's a fair point, but you're talking about bearings that are heavy load types. Sleeve bearing fans are different beast entirely and as such require a different school of thought.

Not really. I had a bad furnace flue fan with bad bearings last quite a while with doing exactly what we are trying to describe here. The adding oil repair would work for about 2 weeks and I'd have to re-lubricate it. Got me through the last couple of months during winter without taking a day to tear the furnace down. There happens to be very little load on a fan like that. The flue fan was replaced in the spring.

I'm saying this is a very viable way to get a fan to be quiet and stretch until it's time to replace it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Not really. I had a bad furnace flue fan with bad bearings last quite a while with doing exactly what we are trying to describe here. The adding oil repair would work for about 2 weeks and I'd have to re-lubricate it. Got me through the last couple of months during winter without taking a day to tear the furnace down. There happens to be very little load on a fan like that. The flue fan was replaced in the spring.

I'm wondering, is that bearing semi-enclosed or an open air type? That can make a difference. If open air, I would've suggested more of a grease, like dielectric or even lithium.

I'm saying this is a very viable way to get a fan to be quiet and stretch until it's time to replace it.

Ah, fair enough. Been dealing with so much criticism and drama on the subject recently that I've been a bit on the defensive side of things. No worries.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

I'm wondering, is that bearing semi-enclosed or an open air type? That can make a difference. If open air, I would've suggested more of a grease, like dielectric or even lithium.

Ah, fair enough. Been dealing with so much criticism and drama on the subject recently that I've been a bit on the defensive side of things. No worries.

No problemo. I've been reading it. I feel some of it may have been from me asking that stupid question, but there's so many fans out there, I figured it's possible there may be fans intended for service intervals or perhaps would have a weep hole for example.

Most bearing these days are pretty much sealed up and likely grease and that flue fan was a squealer. Real loud. It spun, just loud. I needed something thin, so I actually just used WD40. The little straw helped me reach through the squirl cage so I didn't need to disassemble. Might not had been the best for longevity sake, bit did the trick in a pinch.

 

[Shrek]

I'd not use WD40, but I'm not here to make trouble.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

I'd not use WD40, but I'm not here to make trouble.

Why would that cause trouble? I don't use 3 in 1 oil.....

 

[lexluthermiester]

so I actually just used WD40

I've tried that, never worked well for any length of time. It's too light to be useful in the context of a fan bearing lube. It also degrades too quickly. Quick stop-gap, sure, it'll work in a pinch for a short time. Heavier oils and grease works far better longer term.

I'd not use WD40

As just mentioned, it works ok as a quick fix, just not as a permanent thing.

but I'm not here to make trouble.

No worries, you're not the trouble maker.

I don't use 3 in 1 oil.....

Neither do I. It works well enough but it's not as good as other options. Like WD40, it's just to light.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

I've tried that, never worked well for any length of time. It's too light to be useful in the context of a fan bearing lube. It also degrades too quickly. Quick stop-gap, sure, it'll work in a pinch for a short time. Heavier oils and grease works far better longer term.

As just mentioned, it works ok as a quick fix, just not as a permanent thing.

No worries, you're not the trouble maker.

Neither do I. It works well enough but it's not as good as other options. Like WD40, it's just to light.

It wouldn't had mattered what lubricant I used. The bearings where done for, seal was broken and it already lost it's initial lubricant. Most likely due to high temperatures. Oils evaporate too.

Case fans, I'd just use a drop of 0w20 synthetic motor oil. This is designed for tight spaces and also strong against compression and heat.

I don't think I've ever done more than 1 or maybe 2 case fans this method. Got a drawer with extras over here.

 

[lexluthermiester]

The bearings where done for, seal was broken and it already lost it's initial lubricant.

Ah, ok. Sorry I think I missed that part.

Oils evaporate too.

This.

 

[Shrek]

I find those small desk fans don't last long without oiling.

 

[*8088]

The application of motor oil is still effective. Thankful for the info!