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Lubricating Laptop fans

Submitted by DoctorClu on September 21, 2007 - 1:21pm. PowerPC Macs

I have a internal fan that is starting to get noisy and struggle to work.

Now if this like a typical fan, it is probably just needing some lubricating.

The fan in question is for a Aluminum 867 mhz 12" Mac laptop, but I'm sure this could apply to many others.

So the question is, have you or anyone here had any luck lubricating a laptop fan? I ask because E-bay seems to be low on replacement fans.

And if you know of various models that would work with my laptop mentioned above, please let me know (or if you know of dealers that carry a replacement fan).

Thanks in advance!

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laptop fans

Submitted by macsane on September 21, 2007 - 5:03pm.

I've tried lubricating various fans and met with limited success. However dust and heat seem to be a major factor in fan failure. what I have done is after I pulled the fan and blew all the dust out of it I used 3 in one oil to lubicrate them with. It works for a while.

If you pull the fan before it wears the bearing and clean and lubricate it before it starts making noise chances are it will last a considerable time. A word of caution do not attempt to remove the fan from the motor shaft as it will damage the motor itself.

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DoctorClu's picture

Thanks! Appreciate the input

Submitted by DoctorClu on September 21, 2007 - 5:07pm.

Thanks! Appreciate the input. I figure I will take my 867 12" apart tonight and do a few things that I need to do. Smiling So might as well ask two more questions.

Any other fan lubricating tricks please post here.

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eeun's picture

I've also used 3-in-1 or ligh

Submitted by eeun on September 21, 2007 - 5:31pm.

I've also used 3-in-1 or light motor oil to quiet and prolong fan life. For something critical, though, I do replace the fan if it's an option.

Silicone-based lubricants also work well, and seem to last longer as they tend to stay put. Better for vibration, too.

If I find a fan's shaft and sleeves are dirty with dust, old lubricants, etc. I'll clean the fan with a bit of WD-40 on a paper towel or swab, dry it off, then apply new lubricant.

With the tiny fan you'll be working on, a magnifying glass might help too. Eye-wink

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Jon's picture

Also, instead of oil it might

Submitted by Jon on September 21, 2007 - 6:52pm.

Also, instead of oil it might be a good idea to try an electric motor grease. My mom is a dog groomer, so I have a tube of electric clipper grease. It will stay up in the shaft better than an oil. I haven't kept around any fans it's been used in to get a lifespan test, but any lubricant that is thicker than a regular oil is bound to stay put a bit better.

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DoctorClu's picture

Sticker...

Submitted by DoctorClu on September 25, 2007 - 12:01pm.

Currently have the laptop apart, and just need to work on the LCD screen and CD unit while I have it apart (two other topics that I asked about here, but apparently this stumped the experts.) Smiling As we got the fan out through we noticed in this case that the fan had for lack of a better word a sticker covering the facing of it. Once removed exposed holes that looks like gave better access to the bearings. Put some sewing machine oil in there, and covered that back up. We'll see how that goes.

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