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Possible Duplicate:
Can I use oil from kitchen for oiling my fans

I want to oil my CPU fan, maybe case fan too (in future). But I have found only mineral oil in my home. I have grapeseed and refined oil. Which should I use for oiling ventilators?

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    I think you would want to use something that doesn't attract dust, and most oils do. Oils are sticky...
    – nwaltham
    Dec 21, 2011 at 14:55
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    I would replace the noisy fans. Google "self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing" .
    – Aki
    Dec 21, 2011 at 15:35
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    I would simply replace the fans (or lower their speed) as well. I realize that there is a good selection of non-conductive oils available, but I don't like to lubricate anything in a PC if at all possible - it invariably ends up somewhere it shouldn't in the long run. I certainly wouldn't use ANYTHING other than mineral oil.
    – Shinrai
    Dec 21, 2011 at 15:44
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    And yes, this is a duplicate. How did you not see the one of only TWO other questions tagged 'oil'?
    – Shinrai
    Dec 21, 2011 at 15:46
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    @music2myear - Doh. That makes it even worse, though.
    – Shinrai
    Dec 21, 2011 at 19:27

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Fans are FRU's. Do not "oil" them. REPLACE them. Even if you get the crazy mamajama ultra quiets yer looking at a whopping 10 to 15 bucks a fan. Maybe 30 for a decent CPU cooler.

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  • Your price estimates are too low (there are plenty of really top-tier fans that are $30+ apiece as of this writing even for case fans), but your logic is still sound. You don't oil fans. >.<
    – Shinrai
    Dec 21, 2011 at 19:28
  • Um... I am not sure where you are or are looking for your equipment my friend, but looking at Tigerdirect and searching say, all 80mm case fans, the HIGHEST priced one I can locate is 14.99. Even bumping up to 120mm the highest I can find is 19.99 Can you throw me a link to see what Fan TREASURES you must be seeing in the 30 dollar range?? LOL CPU fan/Cooler, sure but Case Fans?? Dec 21, 2011 at 19:50
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    Those numbers are good for 80mm fans, but why are you buying 80mm fans if you want quiet ones? ;) Examples - all the larger Noiseblocker NB series fans, Noctua NF series fans, pretty much anything good that's 120mm+. (I'm also factoring in shipping costs.) Doesn't really matter though, because you're right either way.
    – Shinrai
    Dec 21, 2011 at 20:23
  • I still aim to peep those brands. Maybe I am missing out cuz I have never met a single fan that was "quiet enough". LOL Dec 21, 2011 at 23:27
  • That is true but what is even worse using mineral oils for lubrication is a big no go. They attract dust, clump at low temperatures and dissolve in higher temperatures. This would just cause the fan to work for a while and then the OP would need to replace it because it will get ruined.
    – Piotr Kula
    Mar 21, 2014 at 20:19

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