Mine squeaks a bit when you rotate it. Figure it's in need of some oil, but don't know quite how to do it.

Spray WD-40 over the entire motor
Don

I wouldn't think wd40 would stay in there very long, and the nasty air that comes thru the radiator is dirt, moisture, and dust laden. That is what destroys the rotating members, whether it be bushings or bearings. It needs to be removed somehow. You may be able to get some wd40 into the bearings of the output shaft, but you won't for the rear supposting bearing/bushing. I know today's fan motors aren't made to be rebuilt, or even dis-assembled and cleaned easily, but I'm also a big believer in "If man assembled it, then man can dissasemble it and succsessfully reassemble it".

Yes, I know you can replace one cheaply enough-relatively speaking, but:

Anyone ever take one apart?

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 09-25-2005).]

You can dribble oil down the shaft of the motor on the front bushing where the fan attaches to. The problem is you can't get to the back bushing. I have drilled a small hole in these motors right in the center of the bushing - then you can get oil in there without tearing the motor apart.

------------------
Tim
Red 88 Formula Auto 2.8 100K+ Miles

I don't care how much money you have, free stuff is always a good thing.

like 2 months ago i bought a bnew motor at advance auto and it spind Much faster and spun more freely than my old one ever did ( that i remember) it was under $20

------------------

AIM: ONE FAST 2M8

[This message has been edited by $Rich$ (edited 09-25-2005).]

WD40 is not an oil. At best it would work for a week, and then dry out and squeak again.

Frugal - do you have any pictures of where you drilled the hole? Did you drill in the center of, i guess, the "shaft housing bump" on the back side?

9 times out of 10 the squeek comes from the front as it is carrying the load from the fan blade. So dribble a little oil on the front shaft and that will work for a while, Most of these motors have Oil-Lite bearings and there is not much you can do except replace them.
Don

You're probably right... the replacement motor is only $24. It had a good run, being 18 years old.

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: WD40 is not an oil. At best it would work for a week, and then dry out and squeak again. Frugal - do you have any pictures of where you drilled the hole? Did you drill in the center of, i guess, the "shaft housing bump" on the back side?

You can drill it in the center of the bump. I have saved alot of these motors doing this. I just use motor oil. Don't overdo it with the oil or it will sling onto the armature / brushes and you will have to tear the motor apart. If your motor shaft wobbles in its bushings, then you might as well go get a new one.

Tim

Sometimes you get lucky and can salvage them using info above. You need to use a "real" oil not a product like WD-40 or "penetrating" oil.

I use Valvoline Synpower spray oil for stuff like this. It's a much heavier product than any of the pentrants or water displacers but lighter than engine oil and that sort of thing.

Also... If you are running the fan all the time like some people insist you should, then oiling probably won't help you for long. Once they start squeaking the bearing has worn and oil will only help that so much. Depends just how much bearing wear and crap in it there is.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurasic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)