Sewing machine oil on a motherboard fan?

Question

My motherboards fan(Asus A8N5X) has keep screwing up recently. First it was making kind of a grinding noise but then stopped making it. A couple of weeks later it started again and now has fully stopped. I fiddled with it and it started to work again but only at around 1300RPM and only for a while before getting stuck again.

I asked around here and someone said the bearings are contaminated and that to help fix that I should put 1 drop of Sewing machine oil or another decent lubricant on it and let it settle.

I'm getting it replaced on monday with a heatsink(asus don't make those fans anymore) but do you think the sewing oil will help it? I don't want to fry the whole motherboard but I kinda need to use the computer before monday without having to fiddle with the fan every 10 minutes or so...

Thanks for the help guys, one other thing I forgot to say.

Would it be ok to use the computer if I monitor it's temp? I have a program called everest and it monitors everything.

At the moment my temps are:

Mobo: 32c
CPU: 25c
Aux: 27c
GPU: 41c
Seagate HDD 1: 39c
Seagate HDD 2: 42c

As long as they stay around that could I use it for a short time or are there other things that can screw stuff up other than temp?

Answer 1

I'm not sure about sewing oil, but I use 3-in-1 oil all the time and it works great. Also, you could probably get a fan replacement with no problem from someone else. They are usually standard sizes.

EDIT: I wanted to add the point that dust is not a problem when oiling a fan if you do it right. Obviously most of the posters here don't have a clue how to do it. At the bottom of any decent fan is a sticker, Gently peel back the sticker and place a single drop of oil in the fan bearing. Re-seat the sticker firmly and it will seal it from dust getting into the oil. I've done it many times and the fans actually last a lot longer...I'm talking years! Obviously too, it cannot 'spray everywhere' if it's sealed.

Answer 2

I've not heard of lubricating motherboard fans, and an internet check isn't turning up an overwhelming amount of support.

But, if blowing it out with compressed air isn't helping with any accumulated dust (something aside from any bearings wearing out) lubrication might help.

My only concern would be that the heat build-up would cause a light oil like sewing machine oil to leak. Actually, any of them might. Make sure that you use a very small amount, and maybe run the fan off of the motherboard so that any excess won't drip (i.e. with the case cover off, take the fan off of the mother board and apply one drop to the bearings. Hold the fan away from the motherboard, turn the computer on, and let the fan run while you check [and remove] any excess).

Glad that you are getting the troublesome fan removed.

Hope this helps; good luck with any suggestions that you get.

Answer 3

EEks!! Don't put oil on your fan! Most of the fans are made with bearings that don't require oil. If your fan is going out I recommend you not use the computer. Your fan is making grinding noises because the bearings are going out. This can make it slow down or stop. You have to have your fan running at full speed when you use the computer. Heat is one of the fastest killers of computers. It's time to replace the fan.
You need to have it serviced before you use it again. You can either take it to a professional, or you can install a new one without much trouble. If you're too young to be working on the insides of a computer, then have an adult help you. As a matter of fact you shouldn't be on the computer checking this question. You should shut it down until you get it fixed.
good luck.

Answer 4

I buy machine oil in bulk from Williams Sales in Nashville, TN. Don't use 3-in-1. A sewing machine is not a motor. Deviced inside this machine work withing 10-thousandths of an inch and require the precise specs to run properly.

Answer 5

Hi. As long as your CPU temp stays fairly low I would just leave it until you replace the HSF. Monitor it with MBM 5 or another program. The oil will not hurt the fan, but it may get sprayed where you don't want it (such as everywhere else).

Answer 6

I would be weary about putting any fluids inside my computer that didn't start there. I'd look into a dry lubricant like powdered graphite before using oil.

If you do use the oil, keep it to a bare minimum. single drop to see if it cleans it up.

BTW, I purchased a new fan for my case at the local computer store. They sold them bulk rate on newegg also.

Answer 7

Sewing machine oil will help to lubricate the bearing of your fan, but it is not recommneded to use, because later on it will collects more dust, that will stick to the oil. and it will create more problems in the future, better replace the fan, and it is not costly...

Answer 8

Probably wont hurt--be very careful not to spill. Eventually the oil will collect dust, but if it is only for a short time, it should be ok.

Answer 9

As the CPU gets pretty hot and oil transfers heat I wouldn't use it. Wait unitl you get it replaced. My experience is that once a fan starts acting up it's best to replace it ASAP.

Answer 10

Do Not oil the fan. Think about it... the oil will just collect dirt and dust and fail sooner.. These fans are made with bearings that are impregnated with oil.