Fix noisy computer fans with a drop of oil
Greg Shultz
Published: 03 Jun 2003 11:01 BST
Figure B shows a typical sleeve bearing assembly computer-cooling fan after it was taken out of a power supply.
Figure B
You should physically remove the fan from the computer to oil it.
Once you have the fan out of the computer, lay it on a table and carefully peel the sticker back, as shown in Figure C. There should be a flange of the sticker over the wire connection that you can easily grasp. It should peel away very cleanly.
Figure C
Peel the sticker back by grasping the flange.
You'll need to pull out the rubber plug to reveal the lubrication well, as shown in Figure D. If you use a small flat-headed screwdriver, you should be able to get under the edge of the plug and pop it out very easily.
Figure D
Once you've peeled the sticker back, you'll need to pull out the rubber plug.
Once you access the lubrication well, you can see the end of the shaft sticking out of the porous metal cylinder. At this point, put a single drop of oil in the lubrication well, as shown in Figure E.
Figure E
Remember: You only need to use a single drop of oil to properly lubricate the sleeve bearing assembly.
Finishing up
To complete the operation, replace the rubber plug and press the sticker back into place. If the sticker doesn't stay in place, use tiny drop of glue or a small piece of scotch tape to secure it. You can then replace the fan. After the computer has been running for a few seconds, the oil will work its way into the porous metal and then into the cylinder and you should discover that the fan is running faster and quieter. And, you'll then have the satisfaction of knowing that not only have you quieted a noisy fan, but you've also extended the life of the fan and consequently the computer.
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28 comments
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Better senaka76 -
Lubricants Ceejay
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Read this with interest as I cured a noisy fan a f... Stuart Isenberg
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Read this with interest as I cured a noisy fa... Trust me i can help
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dear sir.
my graphics card is a "msi geforce ti 42... neil a davy
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Great article.
This was exactly what I needed. My... Daniel
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An excellent article, but for one small omission.... Chris Merrick
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You can easilly fix a noisy fan temporaly by pulli... Adam
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This was great!!! I was pulling my hair out for da... Anonymous
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I am so glad I found this article while I was shop... Tom
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Thanks for the tip. Had a fan slowing down and sto... Anonymous
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I was looking through cooling fan adverts to repla... David Stansfield
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Thank you! You don't know how many people I have... Anonymous
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I did as the article stated,but my computer is sti... Anonymous
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BRILLIANT! My computer was as loud as a lawn mowe... Dan Lakatos
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Thanks a lot! I did according to the suggestion, i... Michael Gong
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Really great description and pictures Anonymous
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this is tells how to fix the problem it is a fan b... Anonymous
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Great article! Sure saved me a few dollars and has... Daniel L. Peart
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That worked awesome!!! Thanks so much for the advi... Krista Cook
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Article was right on !!!
Dell Dimension 2400, just... Anonymous
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The article was very helpful indeed. I've been hav... Temo
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FANTASTIC TIP!!!! my computer sounds like its a ne... Garry Phillips
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PS I used sewing machine oil! Garry Phillips
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This was awesome!!! Even a "non-tech" person, suc... Sheila L.
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Very Professional eddcase
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oiled fan jason_m
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GREAT ARTICLE!!! It worked for me :) kais
