Noisy fan problem

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Johnboy1234

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#147114 9-Jun-2014 18:28

I read on a post in here, how to fix a noisy fan on my Tivo box was to "Simply add 3-1 type light oil to the center bearing" Great advice thank you, but I am stuck at step 1. Removing the top black casing to access the fan. My eyesight for small things has deteriorated over the last few years, and what I thought were PHILLIPS HEAD screws appear to be something else. I have tried my ALLEN KEYS and they don't work either. Could some kind member here tell me what is the name of the type of screwhead, what tool do I need to use?

Thank you.

Stu

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#1062070 9-Jun-2014 18:40

T-10 Torx bit is what you need there. Either buy a Torx driver set or a bit set of you have a hex driver. Handy to have if you want to service anything electronic.

Johnboy1234

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#1062077 9-Jun-2014 18:49

THANK YOU very much appreciated.

Stu

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#1062120 9-Jun-2014 19:38

No problem at all. Once you've mastered the fan issue, think about upgrading the hard drive ;-)

Johnboy1234

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#1062123 9-Jun-2014 19:43

Is that hard to do? As I wouldn't mind getting a bigger hard drive, the wee boy has filled up our one and doesn't like his shows getting deleted lol

Stu

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#1062139 9-Jun-2014 20:02

Not really. I upgraded one of ours to a 1TB WD Red drive. A bit of time and making sure you check everything is in order first and you're good to go. Takes quite some time to copy the data, but you don't lose any recordings in the process.

Johnboy1234

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#1062226 9-Jun-2014 21:58

Cool THANKS BigHammer

dacraka

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#1062257 9-Jun-2014 22:54

I couldn't figure out where exactly to apply the lubrication to the fan though? Looks like there are electrical parts I don't want to touch in the middle of the fan?

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B1GGLZ

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#1062384 10-Jun-2014 09:26

dacraka: I couldn't figure out where exactly to apply the lubrication to the fan though? Looks like there are electrical parts I don't want to touch in the middle of the fan?

I've generally found the bearing needing lubrication underneath the fan's label. Pull off the label to reveal the bearing.

ubergeeknz

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#1062449 10-Jun-2014 11:09

B1GGLZ:
dacraka: I couldn't figure out where exactly to apply the lubrication to the fan though? Looks like there are electrical parts I don't want to touch in the middle of the fan?

I've generally found the bearing needing lubrication underneath the fan's label. Pull off the label to reveal the bearing.

Yep. Usually underneath the label is a rubber plug as well. Be careful to add just the tiniest drop, then try to run the fan for 10 minutes with the bearing pointing upwards (and the plug out still) - a 9v battery usually works here - before mopping up the excess with a cotton tip. Then put the plug back in, and/or sellotape over the hole (the labels never re-stick), and reinstall.

YMMV but I usually get another year at least out of fans this way, assuming they've not run dry for too long.

Maxcat

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#1063460 11-Jun-2014 15:57

I also used compressed air in and around the wiring which you can see if you move the fan slightly. A lot of dust came out and then lubricate as described above.

rphenix

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#1086840 10-Jul-2014 23:57

ubergeeknz:
Yep. Usually underneath the label is a rubber plug as well. Be careful to add just the tiniest drop, then try to run the fan for 10 minutes with the bearing pointing upwards (and the plug out still) - a 9v battery usually works here - before mopping up the excess with a cotton tip. Then put the plug back in, and/or sellotape over the hole (the labels never re-stick), and reinstall.

YMMV but I usually get another year at least out of fans this way, assuming they've not run dry for too long.

I've found that you need something a bit heavier than sewing machine or 3 in 1 oil. The smallest amount possible of lithium grease seems to keep fans working well and if the fan spindle has a c-clip that is accessible its worth taking it off, removing the fan blade and cleaning all the old gunk from the ball bearing or if its a sleeve bearing cleaning extremely well with a dry cloth before re-applying grease gets the fan going and running again for ages - or till the next dust storm kills it again.