Maintaining PC Fans - All You Need to Know

[pixel01]

Hi all,

I just opened my desk PC case for cleaning. There are fans, one in the power supply and one over the CPU. Do I need to oil the fans and what kinds of oils are suitable for this purpose?
Thanks

 

[chroot]

The fans in your computer almost assuredly use sealed bearings and cannot be oiled. If a fan is making noise, it's because the bearings are shot, and the entire thing needs to be replaced. They're cheap.

- Warren

 

[brewnog]

Don't oil them, chances are you'll spray oil everywhere, dust will stick to it, and you'll have no end of grief.

 

[Langbein]

It's a good idea to replace the cpu fan before it is worn out. What could happen if the bearing is worn out, espessially if it it a low speed fan, is that the destroyed bearing will lock up the fan, so that the processor will be destroyed.

 

[nobb123]

I don't see the problem with oiling the fans if you know what you are doing. Here is a good tutorial:
http://www.dansdata.com/fanmaint.htm
Oiling your old fans increases the chance they will last longer, and might actually improve efficiency/lower noise too.

 

[Stevedye56]

I don't see the problem with oiling the fans if you know what you are doing. Here is a good tutorial:
http://www.dansdata.com/fanmaint.htm
Oiling your old fans increases the chance they will last longer, and might actually improve efficiency/lower noise too.

Case fans are as cheap as $2-$3 now. It would be considerably less stressful just to buy a fan and put it in. Also you don't have to worry about spilling oil everywhere.