its a regular CPU fan in need of a lubricant. lol thank you and please let me know of anything that works. :-)
2006-12-31 10:31:28 · 6 answers · asked by Fuzz 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Those fans have sealed bearings and never need lubricating. If it's making noise, it's worn out and should be replaced.
WD40 isn't a very good way to lube bearings anyway. It's half solvent and will wash the old lube out, replacing it with oil that's too thin for the job.
2006-12-31 10:48:47 · answer #1 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not too many answers yet because I don't think anyone has ever thought about trying to lubricate a cpu fan. When they start making noises, then its close to going out (could last up to two months or more when it starts making noise). You don't want to spray any liquid around your computer, thats for sure. If you do at least attempt to try this (which I strongly discourage), then at least take the fan out or at the very least put alot of cloth towels to catch any excess spray and try not to use more than a 1/2 second burst (which I still think would be too much)).
But in order to get the lubricant to the spot thats making the noise would be inside the fan which is the magnet and the coils surrounding it are located. The coils are carrying electricity through it to disrupt the magnetic field and thus make it spin. Liquids and electricity do not mix very well. Even if you spray it on top, the purpose of WD-40 is a penetrating oil. That means it will find any nook and cranny and seek out a way to getinside of it (good for rusted on bolts on the car). So if the spray can find its way inside the grooves of a rusted on bolt, then it surely can find its way inside the electrical parts of the fan. The fans are dirt cheap (9-20 dollars). I've had one computer over 7 years and have to replace the fan on average every 1-1.5 years. They're hard to get the thing to snap on it. Dont use a metal screw driver to push the clip down. If it slips, it will scratch the circuits etched on the board and likely ruin the motherboard. Stick a cloth towel surrounding the cpu area so that if your tool does slip, it the cloth will take the force. Also use a plastic tool (even using a comb as a tool is better than a metal screwdriver) to push the clips back down. You're suppose to put more heat sink cream (a white substance you will see on top of the cpu that helps transfer heat from the cpu to the fan. Its only a dollar or so and you just squeeze a little bit of that cream on top of the cpu before you put the new fan on. I usually scrape off the old cream (yes it will probably be flaky by now) and stick that in there. If its a substantial amount you recover, then usually thats good. But new cream is better.
2006-12-31 10:49:04 · answer #2 · answered by SharpGuy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't just arbitrarily spray WD-40 in there, lest it get elsewhere in your computer, and it will certainly give it an oily smell.
Generally fans don't need to be lubed, they just need to be vacuumed on a regular basis - get the dust out. A q-tip will help.
If the fan isn't moving, or is squealing, you should just get a replacement fan. You can probably get one for under $10 and you or a friend could put it in, or a repair place might charge you $30 to replace one.
2006-12-31 10:39:34 · answer #3 · answered by T J 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
WD40 is not a lubricant.
You can use 3-In-1 oil, or a lubricant for cpu fans with graphite.
or, a new fan!
2006-12-31 10:42:17 · answer #4 · answered by Longshiren 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd say yes provided you confine its application strictly to the contact area of the bearing or whatever. 3 in 1 oil might be a little less messy than WD-40 and you can also buy it at most Kwik-E-Marts
2006-12-31 10:40:40 · answer #5 · answered by Evita Rodham Clinton 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe if the fan is off the CPU
2006-12-31 10:42:32 · answer #6 · answered by Billy Bob 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋