Case fan makes grinding noise on startup

Higgenson

Prominent
Mar 7, 2017
5
0
510
One of my case fans has been making a grinding noise on startup, but when I open my case, and stop it for a little bit, it fixes for some reason. Then when I turn it off for the night, and turn it back on in the morning, it makes the noise again. Any ideas as to why this might be, and how I can fix it?
 
Solution
Dry or worn out bearing most probably. I used to fix them by disassembling them and greasing bearing with white lithium grease or drop of machine oil.
WD40 and stuff like that may work for very short time and is not a substitute for oil or grease, it just evaporates and leaves no lubrication.
See that white plastic washer with a cut in the middle ? You can use a needle or small screwdriver to remove it and rotor with fins will pop out. Than you can clean shaft and bearing with alcohol and lubricate properly. Put that white washer back using small pipe, I use a spent BIC pen cartridge for that.
 
Forgot to mention that the fan on that picture isn't mine. I've only had it for 2 months now. But yeah, I'll probably replace it, or turn it off if I don't really need it