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Thread ID: 138785 2015-01-23 08:30:00 Oil for laptop fan bk T (215) Press F1
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1392672 2015-01-23 08:30:00 What oil should I use for lubricating the laptop cpu cooling fan shaft?

6160

This old laptop is running very hot - found the cooling fan is not spinning freely. I've removed the fan, cleaned out the dust and disassembled and cleaned the shaft with WD40. It's now spinning quite freely again but I think it should be lubricated to get the maximum performance. Some people recommended sewing machine oil but I haven't got one available. Can I just apply a thin layer of lubricant for cars?

Cheers
bk T (215)
1392673 2015-01-23 09:37:00 I usually have to lube my Graphic card cooler(desktop) with a spot of oil couple of times a year

Started off with 3 in1 oil but seems to dry out too soon,now use a spot of multi grade oil that lasts longer

Think last time I added a spot of grease as well under the sticky tab on the cooler,Laptop may be a little different though
Lawrence (2987)
1392674 2015-01-23 19:06:00 What is 3 in 1 oil?

What about Silicone? I got a can of silicone lub around.
bk T (215)
1392675 2015-01-23 19:36:00 3 in 1 oil www.mitre10.co.nz

en.wikipedia.org

There is probably not any proper solution as most coolers use no actual ball race only plastic that wears and allows it to vibrate when worn
Lawrence (2987)
1392676 2015-01-23 21:57:00 This may prove interesting: www.badcaps.net Agent_24 (57)
1392677 2015-01-24 00:03:00 Car oil is waaay to thick. As above, go buy some sewing machine oil. Alex B (15479)
1392678 2015-01-24 04:19:00 Baby oil mzee (3324)
1392679 2015-01-24 07:57:00 Sintered bronze bushes (eg "Oilite") which are fitted in many fans lose the oil after a time. The only real way to re-lubricate a porous bronze bush is to do it in a vacuum so that the air gets sucked out of the bronze and the oil goes in. It is not very practicable.

I would be a bit suspicious of 3 in 1, though I use it from time to time. I suspect it gets its low viscosity by way of diluents, rather than it being refined down to that viscosity which costs much more. Some el-cheapo thin hydraulic spindle oils are diluted this way. The problem with diluents is that they evaporate. I think real Singer sewing machine oil is not diluted.

If the oil is too thick then the fan motor may not have enough power to produce the rated speed.
Terry Porritt (14)
1392680 2015-01-24 09:06:00 There is a thin, pure, mineral oil produced by Shell which amongst other things is used by Chemists as a base for cosmetics and herbal massage oil. It is only available per litre, but you should be able to get some from a Pharmacy. mzee (3324)
1392681 2015-01-24 09:34:00 Just had a brief chat with a Pharmacist friend and he told me that the only oil he can think of is 'Liquid Paraffin' which matches your description, mzee.

He will bring some for me to try out.
bk T (215)
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