Question Is brake fluid a good lube for a GPU fan?

[Mr4Derop]

So, one of my fans is not working due to the lube possibky drying out in it, and so im looking into using anything to fix it up, so would brake fluid be good? If not, ive also got transmission and engine fluids.

 

[kanewolf]

So, one of my fans is not working due to the lube possibky drying out in it, and so im looking into using anything to fix it up, so would brake fluid be good? If not, ive also got transmission and engine fluids.

NONE of the above, IMO. Those products are all too thick. IF you wanted to try, you would want a very thin oil, like sewing machine oil.

 

[Eximo]

I suppose it depends on the brake fluid or transmission fluid, but typical ones would be too thick, I agree.

Adding oil to a fan is usually a very temporary fix, the damage is already done to the bearing surfaces. Better off spending your time and effort on a replacement fan.

 

[hotaru.hino]

If we went by https://www.overclockers.com/em-spinning-lubricate-pc-fans/, then engine oil apparently does work. Though they suggest using sewing machine oil.

You only need a dollop of it either way.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

So, one of my fans is not working due to the lube possibky drying out in it, and so im looking into using anything to fix it up, so would brake fluid be good? If not, ive also got transmission and engine fluids.

NO. You replace the fan with the worn bushings. You do not apply oil, WD40, brake fluid etc. as that will only make things worse.

 

[Eximo]

From experience I can say you get something like a sleeve bearing CPU fan running again for a few days to a week. Long enough to get another fan shipped to you. This was many years ago before fans were just something you could pick up locally or order online with two day shipping. If I recall I had on hand some machinist's oil, which is pretty thick. A combo cutting fluid and lubricant for common machine mating surfaces.

On some ball bearing fans they might last quite a bit longer though, but those aren't too likely to fail over even very long periods in the first place.

The proper way to do it would be disassembly, cleaning, and then re-lubing with an appropriate lubricant on a damaged fan. Once you have metal particulates and dust in there it is only a short length of time they will last.

If we went by https://www.overclockers.com/em-spinning-lubricate-pc-fans/, then engine oil apparently does work. Though they suggest using sewing machine oil.

You only need a dollop of it either way.

Again, engine oil comes in many weights with varying viscosity. Some of the newer types for late model high compression engines might be okay. 0W10, 0W20, etc. But the thick stuff might slow the fan down a lot and put more stress on the motor.

 

[Mr4Derop]

Got it, I'll be better off buying a new fan

 

[hotaru.hino]

I just noticed the title says "GPU fan"

Unless you buy a third party cooler for your card or get lucky with parts from eBay, you can't really buy a new fan. At best you could jury rig a case fan after removing the one that isn't working.

 

[Paperdoc]

Sewing machine oil, maybe, but WHERE TO PUT IT?

Start with the fact the fan is in a graphics card. So you have a problem getting it out to work on and getting it back into place.

MOST fans I've seen recently cannot be disassembled without breaking parts of it because they do NOT use nuts and bolts. The use plastic tabs hidden inside and glued or sonic-welded plastic outer cases. You need to get the oil into the BEARINGS (front and back) and NOT elsewhere. If you simply drop or spray oil into any opening you can find, the entire interior will be fouled up and probably will NOT oil the bearings! And no fan comes with little holes in the bearing holders to let you add oil.

Bottom line is: replace. Do not try to add oil.