I recently cleaned my Honeywell QuietSet tower fan, which I've had for over three years, and I want to make it a bit quieter. I'm considering whether to open the motor housing to add grease to the bearings or just apply a few drops of oil to the shaft and let it drip into the bearing. I have some multipurpose 3-in-1 oil, SAE 5W 20 oil, and automotive lithium-based grease. I'm thinking of using the thick grease for the upper axle since it seems more like a plastic bushing than a bearing. What do you think?
3 Answers
I’d recommend using just a drop or two of 3-in-1 oil. When I tried that, it worked wonders without any noise issues. If you use too much oil, it could just spill out, so keep it minimal. Grease can be a no-go since it attracts dust, which might make your fan louder in the long run.
From my experience, 3-in-1 oil is the way to go for fans. I used it on a motor once and it spun like crazy! A few drops on the shaft should be enough; let it seep down into the bearing. If you’re disassembling it completely, grease could work, but for a quick fix, oil is simpler and more effective.
If you're looking for optimal lubrication, remember: grease is usually for sliding surfaces while oil is meant for spindles or pivots. If your fan motor has porous brass bearings (which it might), you could fill it with Tri-Flo oil while blocking the other end to force it in. Just be careful about how much grease you use!