What can I use to lubricate sticky fans in my PC and air-purifier?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential lubricants for sticky fans in a PC and an air-purifier. Participants explore various options for lubrication, share personal experiences, and consider the implications of fan maintenance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using sewing machine oil for lubricating sticky fans but expresses difficulty in finding it.
  • Another participant humorously suggests simply buying a new fan.
  • A participant mentions that blowing out the fan with compressed air helped but did not completely resolve the noise issue.
  • One participant speculates that the fan might be hitting the frame, suggesting that it could eventually resolve itself as parts wear down, sharing a personal anecdote about a similar experience with a bicycle pedal.
  • Another participant questions the wisdom of allowing the fan to wear down, raising concerns about potential imbalance and noise.
  • A participant plans to purchase 3-IN-ONE oil, referencing a source that recommends a specific mineral-based version but expresses uncertainty about which product it refers to.
  • One participant acknowledges the possibility of oiling a computer fan, indicating surprise at this maintenance option.
  • A later reply suggests that if the fan is indeed hitting the frame, it may be better to reposition it or acquire a replacement rather than allowing wear to occur.
  • A participant shares a link to a website that may provide additional information on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best approach to lubricating fans, with no consensus on a single solution. Some agree on the need for lubrication, while others debate the implications of allowing the fan to wear down.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific products and personal experiences, but there is uncertainty regarding the best type of oil to use and the potential consequences of allowing the fan to hit the frame.

Math Is Hard
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,663
Reaction score
36
I've got a sluggish fan in my PC, and we're also having a problem with a sticky fan in our air-purifier at work. I know WD-40 is a no-no, and the best suggestion I have come up with is "sewing machine oil" to lubricate these parts. For some reason I am having a hard time finding sewing machine oil. Any other suggestions?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Buy a new one...:smile:
 
I may do that for the PC, but the fan for the air-purifier fan is going to be more difficult to replace. Blowing it out with compressed air helped, but it is still making a lot of noise.
 
I guess the fan must be hitting the frame. If that is the case then it sounds fixable and might go away eventually after the fan wears out whatever it is hitting on or vice versa. This reminds me of when i was a kid and my bycicle's right pedal kept hitting against the bycicle's frame, it would make a lot noise, but i kept on riding it even though the pedal would stop when it hit the frame so i had to really put some effort with my right foot on the way down so that it go past the frame. Eventually it wore out about 1cm of the frame after which point it worked perfectly. There's your solution right there. :smile:
 
Last edited:
-Job- said:
I guess the fan must be hitting the frame. If that is the case then it sounds fixable and might go away eventually after the fan wears out whatever it is hitting on or vice versa. This reminds me of when i was a kid and my bycicle's right pedal kept hitting against the bycicle's frame, it would make a lot noise, but i kept on riding it even though the pedal would stop when it hit the frame so i had to really put some effort with my right foot on the way down so that it go past the frame. Eventually it wore out about 1cm of the frame after which point it worked perfectly. There's your solution right there. :smile:

So, I'll just wait it out. :biggrin: I am not sure it is hitting the frame, though. I will take a closer look.

OK, so this afternoon I am going to pick up some 3-IN-ONE oil, which http://www.dansdata.com/fanmaint.htm" says is acceptable. He mentions that the "blue label mineral-based version" of the product is preferable, but I am not sure which one he means. Is he talking about one of the 3-IN-ONE Professional products?
http://www.wd40.com/Brands/3in1pro.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Wow, that is great, I didn't know you could oil a computer fan, though it does make sense.

By the way, by letting the fan hit the frame and wear down, don't you run the chance of gettin it out of balance. That will probably end up being just as noisy as when it was hitting the frame.
 
I wasn't really being serious about letting it wear down :smile:. If it's hitting the frame i would try to position/shape the fan so that it does not, buy a new one, or get one from an old computer.
 
If you haven't been to this site before, perhaps it can help:

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/print/?TYPE=story&AT=2135514-39020436t-20000009c
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

To circulate air, fan points in or fan points out?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
How can I thin lithium grease for use as a lubricant?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
News Air Purifiers are a Ripoff - Whirlpool ap51030k
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
43K
How Can I Extend the Lifespan of My QLC SSD?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
What is causing the faint clattering noise in my desktop computer?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
How can I avoid Foaming in my cutting fluid tank? (attached drawing for reference)
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Is someone out here able to help me name these compounds?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
HVAC Efficiency of a homemade Air Conditioning unit
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
8K
Could a Mac be useful for a physics student?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
What would be an outcome after i reformat my pc?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K