Types of Fan Oil

A look at a few different types of oil for fan bearings.

[@vincenzo19861000]

*Vornado definitely makes a great fan **Fastly.Cool** . We had the older model that was larger and which we liked more, but we are still quite pleased with this product. Recommended!*

[@JordanU]

You're a stinkin advertising freakshow. Find something constructive to do with your time.

[@RobSS1113]

2.50 9yrs ago LOL. .....oh dang the good ol low price days ...I miss them !

[@grandtheftauto1233]

Thanks for the informative video - will be sure to use proper non detergent oil for my fans

[@JordanU]

You're welcome.

[@handyman-network]

In my vid I used 3 in 1 on the oil funnel and there is another area in the front that you need to oil also. Great video.

[@JordanU]

Thanks.

[@hobbycentral3516]

I'v had good luck with the 3in1 detergent for fans that use sleeve bearings. I find that it's a little thinner and soaks into the material of the sleeve bearing better. But sealed ball bearings are a totally different story, I'v ruined a couple of ceiling fan bearings with 3in1 detergent lol It must wash the grease out. Although you can still wash the grease out if a you're too generous with the non detergent stuff lol I learn't that the hard way also. I really wish I had zoomspout where I live That telescopic handle would come in real handy!

[@JordanU]

Hobbycentral The problem with the detergent oil appears over time.. if you don't use the fan for a little while, detergent oil thickens and solidifies, making the bearing even stiffer than before.. using the detergent oil seems to work well initially but over time it won't be as good.. the best option is the non-detergent.. its the same weight with a few less chemicals.. The Zoom Spout can be bought on Amazon. I imagine you could probably order some from there and have it shipped to where you are, if its not in the stores..

[@hobbycentral3516]

Jordan U Interesting. I haven't experienced that yet. I guess I will have to re oil all of my fans in a few years because all I ever used was detergent lol. except for a couple I guess. but Yeah I may have to order some of that zoomspout.

[@JordanU]

Hobbycentral The ZoomSpout is much better for the fans.. its also much easier to use..

[@lenwoodcruze3594]

I have always wondered why I have keep re oiling all the fans I use.... I've been using the red 3 in 1....ima get the blue now.....I got 2 fans that I'm not using because they keep getting stiff so fast after I cleaned then oil them with the red...I knew that the problem was related to the oil but didn't know exactly why.

[@DrewsLair]

Lenwood Cruze I've been wondering as well why my Honeywell turboforce air circulator and my 2 other fans work great when they're first oiled, I usually oil them every other clean usually 3-6 months between deep cleanings) they get ran a lot, so the sitting part isn't an issue for me, this air circulator (fancy name for a fan) got stiff on me today but I used a lot of the stuff after cleaning the dust and hair (I sometimes keep it by my ac unit and others on the floor), anyway its working great again! but I'll be sure to keep up on the oiling and try to get the better oil asap

[@weberlau863]

The zoom spout oil is thinner than the 3-in-1 blue can. Sometimes parsing competing marketing slogans (1/3 hp vs. 1/4 hp) can be misleading. Just squirt a drop or two of one oil between your thumb and forefinger and rub. Wipe your finger/thumb clean and repeat with the other oil. You can immediately tell that the zoom spout oil is thinner.

[@KidaleSmith]

Straight to the point, and detailed THANK you

[@JordanU]

You're welcome.

[@thiru4098]

Is this oil suitable for seeling fan...

[@badasssalsa]

Thanks. Forest time dealing with an Hunter 23306. Had no idea there would be oil in the case.

[@JordanU]

You're welcome..

[@leonreynolds77]

The engine oil you said is irrelevant is the best lol. I use that for fans.

[@JordanU]

Engine oil, which is detergent, will clog up the bearings over time.

[@johnhamill7419]

Also, I was wondering of the screw hole in the back of the oscillator housing that holds the plastic body on can be used to put grease into the oscillator housing?

[@JordanU]

No, it should be opened and the grease should be applied to the two gears.

[@johnhamill7419]

@@JordanU What kind of grease should I use on plastic?

[@JordanU]

@@johnhamill7419 I'm not sure, perhaps some kind of lightweight lithium grease.

[@peskypeet]

​@@johnhamill7419I've been searching for this same answer.

[@1ChevyGuy375]

I just ordered some zoom spout that you suggested for my fan But what kind of grease does the plastic oscillator gears use? I haven't seen anyone suggest anything.

[@Star_Gazing_Coffee_Lover]

Any wheel bearing grease works from what I have read.. Worked in mine!

[@1ChevyGuy375]

@@Star_Gazing_Coffee_Lover Ok thanks. I have some Lucas oil red n tacky grease I’ll be using.

[@Star_Gazing_Coffee_Lover]

@@1ChevyGuy375 that should work..

[@exDrBob1]

DOW MOLYKOTE EM-30L Synthetic PAO Grease for Plastics is what you use on plastics, wheel bearing grease? that's what you use on wheel bearings, not plastic gears. ...Amateurs

[@1ChevyGuy375]

@@exDrBob1 OK thanks, I'll look into it.

[@heroknaderi]

Very informative

[@JordanU]

Thanks.

[@De19thKingJulion]

I don't think Australia sells the blue 3 in 1 oil, nor the zoom spout. Air tool oil is SAE 20, is that advisable for fan motors?

[@JordanU]

As long as it is non-detergent..

[@genogeno6643]

I cleaned up and old box fan, its says to oil every 3 months on the id tag. It says 20 weight as you said. it has 2 inlets for oiling. I disassembled the fan and cleaned everything. I sprayed the motor with electric contact cleaner. I turned it on, and it spins very very slow. My question is, How much oil do I put in. Is there a possibility of over filling?

[@JordanU]

A few drops is sufficient for routine lubrication. You are probably having an issue with the bearings being out of alignment. Strike the shaft with a screw driver handle a few times in various directions.

[@genogeno6643]

@@JordanU Thanks. Will keep you posted

[@johnhouli3450]

Jordan you didn’t explain or show where the oil is put

[@JordanU]

Correct.

[@ThatTexanCollector]

Wooooooow seriously? i just spent money on the black 3-in-1 to oil my fans. f**k. will it still work though?

[@JordanU]

Ganse Chower I'd suggest not using it.. it will work in the moment but over time the detergent (black&red can) gums up in the bearings and becomes counter-productive..

[@Lemont7777]

true so glad you told me about that bro before i even started to oil fans

[@spacetrucker2952]

Got this zoom spout oil for all of my galaxy 2150 fans and of course the illusive green sears fan.

[@JordanU]

Good..

[@fargeeks]

Hey does the Motor make a friction noise if you add too much oil? And if so then how do you fix it?

[@ericvilmer3902]

This may be a weird question but when it comes to mcmillan fan motors can you oil one side of the motor or do you have to oil both sides, I have a lakewood 223 from the late 80s and cannot for the life of me get the blades off, for my 2nd gen k223 I was able to oil the front port through the little hole on the blade hub using a flashlight but it was fairly difficult

[@JordanU]

Both bearings need to be oiled.

[@adriananoelle4699]

Do you think sewing machine oil is appropriate?

[@JordanU]

Sewing machine oil would work but it is very lightweight so it will not keep the bearings lubricated for as long as the oils seen in the video will..

[@shikhargupta6550]

Adriana i love u 😚👫💑💋💋💋💋💝💞❤

[@Lemont7777]

wow i am super late on commenting on this one , but your right bro that's what i use also both zoom spout and 3 in 1 blue i never ever use the red 3 in 1 because it will destroy the bearings on the fan i enjoyed the video..

[@JordanU]

Glad you don't use the red can LOL

[@Lemont7777]

Jordan U true bro don’t want to mess up the fan lol

[@JordanU]

Exactly lol

[@fanoman1577]

can i use wd 40 in my vortalex i have the blue can of wd 40

[@JordanU]

No, WD-40 is a cleaner, not a bearing lubricant.

[@fanoman1577]

@@JordanU ok

[@matthew_tran04]

I have a pedestal Fan that is giving off a heat smell so would oil help and which oil should I use?

[@JordanU]

If the bearings are stiff, it may. The type of oil to use is discussed in the video.

[@matthew_tran04]

Jordan U My fan still spins freely but sometimes the motor smells like heat so was thinking does oil help

[@leoncryp8182]

can i just use normal car engine oil? like the 5W-30 u got there?

[@JordanU]

That's probably too heavy..

[@leonreynolds77]

Leon, yes you can. I do.

[@smartbappa30]

@- Ashai - the detergents are in very low quantities and car engine oil sticks to the bushings like magic and gives it lubrication even when hot and super hot. Moreover plain SAE20 or 30 is hard to find. Gumming up? All oils will gum and one drop of fresh oil will clear that too

[@peskypeet]

​@@smartbappa30Both 3in1 in the blue bottle & Zoom Spout Oil are in stock at both Ace Hardware & GW Hardware in my little town.

[@shambles3458]

How would the yellow 3 in one work

[@JordanU]

It wouldn't..

[@MrGgarcia7298]

Will gun oil or trimmer blade oil work??

[@JordanU]

I'm not sure what the viscosity and detergent levels are of those types..

[@Crazyferretlady-in5sd]

Ok, I did something REALLY stupid I put motor oil in my fan after which I read that ur not suppose to use that, I was desperate and didn’t want to drive thirty minutes to the nearest Home Depot to get the right stuff , am I screwed have I ruined my fan that I can’t sleep without 😭😖

[@JordanU]

If you clean out the bearings and re-lubricate with the proper oil it should be fine.

[@Crazyferretlady-in5sd]

Jordan U thank u so much 😊

[@isakwilkinson2491]

I know it's brave to make these videos but being more meticulous is better if you can put in your notes what those oils name brands are and or a link that would be totally awesome. I save a guy from trying to screenshot it and just get the right picture to try to Bixby eyeball it and find it online with the text part. All you techie guys out there you know what I'm talking about. Anyways but thank you so much for the video I mean you tried so it's awesome

[@JordanU]

The video clearly states audibly the name of both products. You can also pause the video at certain points and clearly see the labels for yourself. I am not going to spoon-feed every bit of information to solve every problem. The information needed was provided, now you have to use that information to get what you need.

[@isakwilkinson2491]

And what I meant by a link is a link to where you can purchase that specific product. Wasn't trying to make you upset or piss off in any way but spoon feeding some people and putting information out is good is a good thing. 0

[@JordanU]

@@isakwilkinson2491 I do not provide links. I have provided enough information in the video to easily find the product on Google or at a local hardware store.

[@brawl1488]

what if i use face oil if i dont have these type of oil

[@JordanU]

You ruin the bearings.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Do you think transmission fluid would work?

[@JordanU]

No.

[@Lemious]

Would white petroleum based oil be ok?

[@JordanU]

I am uncertain..

[@debbiescott9507]

I have learned from your video, now to get on the ladder and find the holes to put the oil in, i have never done this before, but we made sure it was oiled every couple years, I remember him saying there were holes in the top to receive the oil..it's over due& I use it a lot...It a very old Ceiling fan, brand is Gentry, came of of an old hotel in Charhleston wv.

[@lyt_plays3931]

is 4 in one oil works?

[@JordanU]

That doesn't make sense.

[@fungiuse]

Over the year, I've been confused over these ADVICES!!! Some "experts" say to use oil to lubricate the fan bearings, then other "experts" say DO NOT use oil...... Heck, who is RIGHT ?????

[@JordanU]

I'm not sure how you would lubricate the motor without using oil,, so I'm going to say whoever made that suggestion was wrong.. Non-detergent oil is the correct type of lubrication for a fan motor..

[@IBRAHIM-vz1un]

s#it, too late i just bought the red one (detergent). i was planing to use it to lube my PC fans. 😞 i guess i will use it anyway on some bad fans to clean them at least.

[@JordanU]

OK

[@noahbones1221]

well, I put some detergent 3in1 in a Heritage Lancaster on accident. Lol not a big loss

[@JordanU]

True..

[@pffftbruh2370]

Sir, can i use cooking oil?

[@JordanU]

No!

[@kunten07]

I am pretty sure u r from Philippines.. am I correct lol.

[@mr3zezw215]

Can i use sun flower oil

[@JordanU]

I wouldn't..

[@dizzy2544]

XD

[@greedo2660]

Ironically, I like zoom spout oil, but I hate their spout.

[@JordanU]

What's wrong with the spout? I think it's great.

[@greedo2660]

@@JordanU Well, the bottle I have with the telescoping spout is a leaker. It makes a mess and wastes oil. But I have to admit I bought it about 5 years ago, so maybe they've refined their design since then.

[@JordanU]

@@greedo2660 Your unit is probably defective. The video is 7 years old, that can shown works fine.

[@greedo2660]

@@JordanU Well, you could be right. Maybe I just happened to get a bottle that doesn't work quite right, or maybe I'm just not doing it right. At any rate, the oil itself is outstanding. I trust it to restore my antique fans, sewing machines, typewriters, and record players. Thanks for responding, and I like your channel!

[@tristynwimmer112]

$5????????????

[@JordanU]

I don't understand what you're asking.

[@MichaelFlatman]

Is WD-40 okay?

[@JordanU]

+Michael Flatman No.. WD-40 is more of a utility than a lubricant.. If you have some seized bearings, then it can be useful for unlocking them, however for regular lubrication purposes WD-40 should never be used..

[@Lemont7777]

no its never okay only zoom spout or 3 in 1 in the blue bottle is okay..