Case fan making ruddering/grinding noise

[TaintedG]

HI, I recently built a computer.

On startup I've recently heard some grinding noises. I first thought it was my video card, unplugged that and everything was fine. Then on another reboot (with video card removed) I hear the grinding noise again. I know know the culprit to be the case fan. (I unplugged it to make sure.) I do not see any wires or dust that could be causing the problem. The case fan physically works fine it's just that it makes a loud noise. Any suggestions?

 

[maestro0428]

The bearings are probably shot. Just order a new one. If you tell me what case or PC you have, I can suggest a replacement.

 

[Maxx_Power]

Sounds like your case fan's bearing is dying. You can try lubricating it, usually the bearing lubrication dries up and the shaft starts to grind against the cylinder. If it is a ball-bearing, lubrication may not solve the issue, and you might need a new fan soon.

Just google how to lubricate a fan, and for oils, I recommend any variety of motor-oil, they last a long time.

 

[TaintedG]

The bearings are probably shot. Just order a new one. If you tell me what case or PC you have, I can suggest a replacement.

It seems to be working fine now, is it possible that it's not the bearing dying? Or does the noise happen on and off?

 

[TaintedG]

Sounds like your case fan's bearing is dying. You can try lubricating it, usually the bearing lubrication dries up and the shaft starts to grind against the cylinder. If it is a ball-bearing, lubrication may not solve the issue, and you might need a new fan soon.

Just google how to lubricate a fan, and for oils, I recommend any variety of motor-oil, they last a long time.

I actually re-used my HP case, and it's case fan. It's the case that belonged to an a6602f.

I'm pretty sure it isn't the stock intel cooler fan because usually if anything gets stuck there, the fan just stops.

 

[maestro0428]

That looks like a 92mm but I cannot be sure. You can measure though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617 You could try this one if it is 92mm. I have experience with their fans and they are great. Panaflo, Rexus, Corsair, Sharkoon and Vantec are all good fan makers in my experience.

 

[TaintedG]

That looks like a 92mm but I cannot be sure. You can measure though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617 You could try this one if it is 92mm. I have experience with their fans and they are great. Panaflo, Rexus, Corsair, Sharkoon and Vantec are all good fan makers in my experience.

It's not making any noise now, but is it still possible that the bearings are messed?

 

[Maxx_Power]

That looks like a 92mm but I cannot be sure. You can measure though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617 You could try this one if it is 92mm. I have experience with their fans and they are great. Panaflo, Rexus, Corsair, Sharkoon and Vantec are all good fan makers in my experience.

It's not making any noise now, but is it still possible that the bearings are messed?

Absolutely. If it IS the bearing, then it'll be an intermittent issue before it becomes chronic, then seizes. Most case fans begin to rattle/grind intermittently prior to continuous symptoms.

Either way, a new 92mm fan isn't expensive, those Arctic Cooling ones (with a proper full frame) are really economical (couple of bucks at most places) and last a long time due to the FDB bearings they use.

 

[TaintedG]

That looks like a 92mm but I cannot be sure. You can measure though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617 You could try this one if it is 92mm. I have experience with their fans and they are great. Panaflo, Rexus, Corsair, Sharkoon and Vantec are all good fan makers in my experience.

It's not making any noise now, but is it still possible that the bearings are messed?

Absolutely. If it IS the bearing, then it'll be an intermittent issue before it becomes chronic, then seizes. Most case fans begin to rattle/grind intermittently prior to continuous symptoms.

Either way, a new 92mm fan isn't expensive, those Arctic Cooling ones (with a proper full frame) are really economical (couple of bucks at most places) and last a long time due to the FDB bearings they use.

What could be a sign of that other than the sound?

 

[maestro0428]

There are no other signs than noise. As they are so cheap, I would just replace it.

 

[Maxx_Power]

That looks like a 92mm but I cannot be sure. You can measure though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617 You could try this one if it is 92mm. I have experience with their fans and they are great. Panaflo, Rexus, Corsair, Sharkoon and Vantec are all good fan makers in my experience.

It's not making any noise now, but is it still possible that the bearings are messed?

Absolutely. If it IS the bearing, then it'll be an intermittent issue before it becomes chronic, then seizes. Most case fans begin to rattle/grind intermittently prior to continuous symptoms.

Either way, a new 92mm fan isn't expensive, those Arctic Cooling ones (with a proper full frame) are really economical (couple of bucks at most places) and last a long time due to the FDB bearings they use.

What could be a sign of that other than the sound?

Rattle, excessive vibration, noise are all characteristics of a non-centered or bare/uneven/non-smooth bearing to sleeve mating. If the fan was working before, and started to exhibit those kinds of symptoms, you can be fairly sure of its cause. Re-lubrication of the bearing when these symptoms first start can essentially rejuvenate a fan to nearly new condition, but if one waits, the damage to the bearing and sleeve accumulates with inadequate lubrication. When the damage is significant (just a few microns of wear, usually), lubrication can no-longer fix the issue, the rattle/wobble/vibration will no-longer go away after re-lubrication due to uneven mating surfaces of the sleeve-bearing shaft assembly. This is the case for sleeve bearing fans.

There are other types of bearings, most commonly are the ball-bearing varieties, for which, re-lubrications can lengthen the lifespan of the bearings, but won't fix any issues to the same degree as the sleeve bearing varieties. Commonly used for power supplies, servers, etc, etc...

There are also magnetically levitated bearings, for which, there is no maintenance to be done. Sunon is well known for their mag-lev fans that seems to last a long time.

There are also some fluid dynamic bearings, that are essentially hermetically sealed sleeve bearings but with a cushion of lower viscosity fluid. This bearing fluid should never dry up, and the metal parts should never come in complete contact during operation, so you can't usually re-lubricate these types of bearings. Modern HDDs use this type of bearing.

 

[TaintedG]

There are no other signs than noise. As they are so cheap, I would just replace it.

True, but I don't want to just replace it when nothings wrong with it.

I think my title is a bit incorrect. It sounds EXACTLY like wires were getting in the way, but as far as I saw there wasn't any.

I'll see over a few days, if I see the noise again then I will replace it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[TaintedG]

I think I found the source of the problem! It's actually the power supply!

I have a CX500. Is there anything I can do about it without having to go through warranty?

 

[Maxx_Power]

I think I found the source of the problem! It's actually the power supply!

I have a CX500. Is there anything I can do about it without having to go through warranty?

Is it the fan inside ? Or just a wire that touches the fan inside ?

 

[TaintedG]

I think I found the source of the problem! It's actually the power supply!

I have a CX500. Is there anything I can do about it without having to go through warranty?

Is it the fan inside ? Or just a wire that touches the fan inside ?

It seems like it's the fan inside. It sounds like someone tapping a pencil against their desk. Or if you were to hit your finger on a desk multiple times really quickly.

 

[maestro0428]

You can pull out the psu, open it up and replace the fan. Sometimes manufacturers use plastic to protect the parts inside and I suppose it could just be rubbing against the fan too. Opening a power supply can be dangerous though and it will void your warranty if you have one. If you don't know what you are doing, I don't advise it. If you do replace the whole psu, I recommend Seasonic.

 

[Maxx_Power]

I think I found the source of the problem! It's actually the power supply!

I have a CX500. Is there anything I can do about it without having to go through warranty?

You can take the PSU out and look through it to see if something is obviously catching onto the fan. The Corsair CX500 is actually a pretty good power supply all-around. If it still has warranty, I would not open it, for the sake of your warranty. But if you spot the problem, and it is an easy fix, try fixing it yourself without opening the power supply first. You can use a pencil or something to move the object inside catching onto the fan blades, and if that doesn't help, you can always unscrew the fan from the outside to give you some working room (you can't take the fan out this way, just loosen it).

Is it the fan inside ? Or just a wire that touches the fan inside ?

It seems like it's the fan inside. It sounds like someone tapping a pencil against their desk. Or if you were to hit your finger on a desk multiple times really quickly.

 

[shmu26]

okay, I also have this intermittent grinding sound, from the case fan, but the PC is just a couple months old. It is a desktop, built by a reputable local company, from new parts. The case is sharkoon. I kind of doubt that the fan could wear out in a couple months.
what else could it be?