Seized up fan

[sudsmaster]

I've been using a small (about six inch) electric fan with a spring clamp to aid in ventilating the bath during the summer months. It's a generic Chinese "SMC" model which I clamp to the sill on the high bath window.

Lately however the fan has been slow to start, or it stops entirely. I disassembled it and cleaned off the fan shaft - it runs through two ball swivel type bushings. The first time I did this I used a high quality oil lube (Tri-Flo) to get it going. But it seized up a few days later, with the oil turning black. I cleaned it off again and used white lithium grease - which worked for about a day before the fan slowed and made odd noises, and the motor casing started to get warm. Right now it's unplugged and I'm debating trying to find a replacement - had this fan for at least 10 years - or whether or not it is repairable.

Anybody got experience with these things? I can't tell if the swivel bushings have some integral lubrication or not. Is it a lost cause or am I missing something?

The fan wasn't expensive to begin with. I just don't know if I'll be able to find a replacement.

 

[dustin92]

It can probably be replaced, but I would recommend cleaning and repairing what you have, because anything new is of worse quality. The first thing to do would be to completely disassemble the motor... again. Then after the shaft and bearings have been removed, get a strong solvent (paint thinner, carbureter cleaner, acetone etc...) and, using Q tips, clean out the bearings until the black stuff is gone. Then, clean the shaft where it rides on the bearings. Make sure things are dry, then oil the bearings and shaft with 3 in 1 oil (the one in the red and BLUE can, not the red and black can.) The black can contains detergents which gum up the bearings. Put the motor back together, making sure it turns freely and then reassemble the fan. you might have to oil the bearings occasionally because the "permanent lubrication" that most modern fan motors are supplied with is rarely sufficient. Hope this helps!

 

[kenwashesmonday]

With a small fan motor, the bearings should be soaked in naptha and/or blown out with carburetor cleaner, and then re-lube with turbine oil (AKA "Zoom Spout oil").  That said, a Chinese motor is a Chinese motor and it may just be done.

 

Ken D.

 

[sudsmaster]

Good advice.

I swung by Home Depot today but they didn't have any small fans like it.

Tonight I visited Walmart and picked up two small fans. One was an all metal 4" number. Actually kind of cool (no pun in intended). It doesn't need a clamp because it's small enough just to sit on the window sill with its triangle steel frame (kind of like a much larger whole room fan that sits on the floor). But it's a little on the small side. Also picked up a plastic 6" fan with a clamp attachment. However it's much more light weight than the (Chinese) fan it's supposed to be replacing. And the springs in the clamp are so lightweight that they can't hold the fan to the window sill.

Right now I've got the 4" fan on the sill and it seems to be ok. I might try to move the clamps from the old fan to the new 6" one.

I may also try soaking the bearings in kerosene or parts cleaner, and then soak them in "turbine oil" (actually I'll use sewing machine oil, which I have a lot of).

 

[dustin92]

Sewing machine oil is way too light, it will burn off/ evaporate very quickly.

 

[sudsmaster]

OK, I have some 3-1 oil (blue) that should do nicely.

 

[alr2903]

Suds if all else fails try "big lots" they sell a brand called climate keeper..  Everyone we have bought runs silently, no vibration and i believe they did have the clip style. They are also no tools required to dust the grills and blades with the vacuum. I know they are made in China, but this is one i can not stop buying.  Go fast my friend if you are suffering the heat wave many of us are living through.  arthur