Top Exhaust fan makes a grinding noise then dies.

[Ferrin]

So i returned from my 4 day weekend to turn on my PC and immediately heard a weird, buzzing, grinding noise from my Corsair 140 mm exhaust fan i bought a year ago. I turned off my PC and plugged it back in and it solved the problem. Turned it on again the next day and the same noise, only looking at it, the blade pattern almost looked like it was slowing down, or has waves in it(LED fan). In a couple seconds it died. LED still worked but the fan gradually stopped spinning. Unplugged it and plugged it back in again. Still working perfectly fine 3 hours later. What could be the problem?

 

[Eximo]

Fans go bad. If it is still under warranty, contact Corsair. If not, consider getting a new fan.

Not terrifically user serviceable as the bearings are usually integrated into the body (sleeve style, even some of the fancier sounding ones are still sleeve bearings) Ball bearing fans can be serviced, but getting a hold of new bearings is problematic and more effort than buying a new fan.

Cheaper fans can have their life extended a tiny bit with some lubricant, but this usually only adds a few weeks or days before failure.

If the motor windings themselves have shorted, it is pretty much done forever unless you happen to have some magnet wire around and enjoy tedium.

 

[dudeman509]

Bearing's dying. Needs to be replaced.

 

[USAFRet]

Fans die. Toss and replace.