Noisy Computer Fan? Use FanLube!

Computer Fans - And How They Work

Many people have now had the sad experience of buying a PC - or especially a laptop - that has had an excessively noisy fan right from the moment of purchase. Alternatively, the fan might have become noisier and noisier as time goes by, as the bearing becomes worn, and as the original lubricant dries up or leaks out...

Well, whichever of these was the scenario for you, there is a good chance that you can improve matters with the addition of a high quality silicone lubricant like FanLube!

There are many different possible ways to lubricate a fan bearing...

In the next Section, 'Lubricating Your Computer Fan' there is a link to a very useful video that demonstrates how to dismantle a (large) PC fan and apply a drop of lubricant. Sadly the video actually suggests using an oil like a 20W-50 engine oil! (It actually says "the thicker the better"!) Now while the guy carrying out the work has got some engineering skills and has put together an excellent instructional video, he obviously isn't an Industrial Chemist and hasn't got a clue about lubricants... The oil he recommends is OK for servicing an old Toyota, but isn't suitable for a high-speed, lightweight plastic fan in a modern, multi-gigabyte computer.

Neither should you use WD-40! It's mainly designed as a cleaner/degreaser, that loosens stuck parts, prevents corrosion, and displaces water - obviously not the types of problems found in computer cooling fans. Furthermore, it's a light lubricant that is better for lubricating something like a hinge that only moves occasionally rather than a component that moves continuously and at high speeds such as a computer fan. It will actually remove any remaining traces of the original grease in your fan bearing, then be quite inadequate to sustain good lubrication for any substantial period.

There are also a few websites that recommend 3-in-1 Household Oil or Sewing Machine Oil. True, these are cheap mineral oils that are commonly available. However, there are significant differences between sewing machines and PC fans! Sewing machines are actually designed with easily accessible lube points, and are meant to use up oil and have regular top-ups of fresh oil. But the fans on your PC are built as sealed units - just enough oil to last for a 3 year life, and no easy way to insert new oil... If you have a problem, you need to lubricate with an oil that will both penetrate well, then stay in the bearing where it is required.

Silicones have a very low reactivity - which means high oxidation resistance even at high temperatures, hence inhibiting corrosion. They are also non-bioactive, hence resistant to microbial growth and rancidification. (Unlike mineral oils.)

Silicones maintain optimum performance over a wide temperature range - certainly well in excess of any temperature extremes to be encountered in any PC! High temperature servability, a wide range of temperature/viscosity properties, low volatility and good cooling characteristics mean that they are commonly used as heat transfer fluids, thermal oils and circulating coolants, flood or mist coolants, and insulating oils. All this means that they are particularly indicated for light-loaded, continuous high temperature service as in fan bearings. They run quieter than standard greases at high speeds.

Silicones have high water repellency and seal against moisture ingress. This waterproofs components in damp or humid conditions. Preventing corrosion by displacing moisture helps restore water-damaged electrical equipment.

Silicones preserve rubber against hardening or cracking. As a lubricant they will not harm modern plastics, painted surfaces, coatings and rubbers. Can be used on all metal and alloys.

Silicones have high shearability without breakdown, and high compressibility, which assists movement of close tolerance components. High damping action will dampen shock and vibration. They provide precision lubrication by a thin, high dielectric strength, lubricating film. They have high spreadability - they migrate into bearings. The stable, low surface tension, high capillary action formula provides great penetrating and wetting power.
And although they are not targeted at electronic components in this use, silicones are an electrical insulating fluid, insulating high voltage parts against leaking or arcing.

Reading the complaints about computer fans on many internet forums, it seems that most computer users don't even consider lubricating their fan bearings!
It really is rather easy. If you have a desktop PC, it is ludicrously simple to dismantle the tower containing the processor, hard-drive and all the other components that get hot. You may find as many as 3 or 4 fans inside.
There is an excellent website by a New Zealander called Murray Moffatt providing useful information about many computer problems, including how to analyse and deal with a Noisy Fan in a PC. See MurrayMoffatt.com
With a laptop it is also easy to remove a cover underneath and find a tiny cooling fan, but then it can be a little intimidating to consider working on something so tiny.
Fear not! Whatever you have, it is not difficult to expose the offending noisy fan, add a little lubricant to the bearing, and witness the extraordinary improvement that this can bring about!

As long as you use 'FanLube' - the Silicone Lubricant! Buy Now

For Desktop PC's:
There is actually an excellent YouTube video called 'Fixing Your Noisy PC's Fan'
It demonstrates how to dismantle a (large) PC fan and apply a drop of lubricant.
Removing the fan, uncovering the bearing, applying lubricant, is all shown to be quite simple...

We have to offer the same caution as in an earlier section:
Sadly the video actually suggests using an oil like a 20W-50 engine oil! (It actually says "the thicker the better"!) Now while the guy carrying out the work has got some engineering skills and has put together an excellent instructional video, he obviously isn't an Industrial Chemist and hasn't got a clue about lubricants... The oil he recommends is OK for lubricating a red hot, metal, internal combustion engine, but isn't suitable for a high-speed, lightweight plastic fan in a modern, multi-gigabyte computer.
The cheapskates that built the fan in the first place might have done a better job if they had used a heavier mineral oil than the one they did, but getting lubrication into a sealed unit is another matter...
For a lubricating oil that will creep into the bearing, insinuate itself into sintered metal reservoirs, displace moisture, inhibit corrosion, dampen vibration and perform consistently at high temperature and high speed:

There are two specific safety concerns:
How safe Is FanLube to work with, and how safe are you to work with FanLube?

FanLube is a mixture of 3 silicone oils. each of these is extremely inert and therefore of negligible risk to you.
The following advice concerns First Aid and Toxicology.
FanLube in the eyes: may cause temporary discomfort - flush with water, no long term harm is normally expected
FanLube on the skin: simply wash off with soap and water after use
FanLube ingested: no first aid needed, no adverse effects are normally expected
Avoid inhaling any spray or mist of FanLube, but no specific measures are required other than remove to fresh air.
The most dangerous property of FanLube is that it is extremely slippery! Any spillage, especially on the floor, should be cleaned up immediately. Use soap/detergents with water until the surface is no longer dangerous.

So how safe are you to use FanLube to lubricate a PC?
Before you start to dismantle a PC or laptop you need to remind yourself that there is always a risk of electrocution, as with any electrical device. You should unplug the power supply, remove the battery of a laptop, and even then remember that there are components that have stored a considerable electrical charge and are waiting to discharge into any careless fingers or screwdrivers!
We are not able to evaluate your competence for this type of work - you must do that.
We have provided some explanation as to how it is possible to expose the fan in your PC and lubricate its bearing, but you should not proceed unless you are certain of your ability to carry this out...
If in doubt, get a competent professional to do this for you!

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