Squeaky electric fan after I shut down engine.

OK, I admit up front, this is not generally a Mav/Com issue. And this time it is on my truck.

But next time it COULD be on my Maverick, or anyone else's Mav or Comet with electric fan swaps.

It runs fine and quiet while running and idling, but after I kill the engine, and the fan starts to slow down, it starts to chirp and squeak like a couple of birds are stuck under there.

This fan is only 2 years old, maybe 3. Running it on the A/C condenser on my Ram 1500.

Can I shoot lube at the shaft area just to quiet it down without doing any damage?

If so, what type of lube would be recommended.

 

The bushings or bearings in the fan motor are dry. A lite oil is best, not WD40...

 

I like 3-in-1 oil for stuff like this. It has mild cleaning properties, good long term sticking, and doesn't leave a coating like WD-40 does.

Not sure if this isn't something you should spray graphite dust into though, can't remember if these need to be oil-free or not.

Another thing to check is to make sure that your fan is hanging at the correct angle to ensure you aren't getting an out of balance spin. That alone can cause noises when the fan slows down and no amount of lube will ever fix it. Depending on the design of the specific fan anyway.

 

Last one I got for my Ram is from OReiley. Lifetime warranty. Not hard to put in if you remember..
As for oil, I like 3n1 for this but good luck getting it in there.

 

This is the one you helped me with Gene. and it is from O'Reilly with lifetime warranty. But it works well, even if noisy, so I don't really want to swap it out again. I can live with the squeak if lube doesn't work.

I will try 3-in-1. Surprisingly, with my vast array of tools and chemicals around my house, I have none.

I guess when I return the fan clutch at O'Reilly tomorrow, I can get a small can.

 

Funny story...

I was under the hood trying to bust loose the old fan and clutch from the cooling fan. My nephew comes over from across the street and startles the crap out of me, then asks if he can help.

Next 20 minutes we spend describing what all the parts are, what does what, etc. Then I tell him "step back and keep your fingers clear, I will start the truck up and when I turn it off you can hear the squeak". This is the first time I have done this with the hood up.

When the engine goes off, THIS is when I hear that it is the A/C fan, and not the cooling fan

Anyway, he want to help out this weekend as I swap my rear differential oil, and swap out the oil and filter in the wife's mustang, and check her A/C.

His dad doesn't do any of this. He breaks everything he touches. It is about time this 12 year old learns how to take care of a vehicle!

 

Darn 12 year olds.. My step son recently turned 13 and he does that crap. Tries to be funny and over does it. My wife is tired of finding the same rubberized cockroach here and there. I cant wait till Halloween night. I plan to make drinks that night for dinner. I have some special ice cubes for him.

 

Uh Oh!

 

No no! The 12 year old's father breaks everything he touches. The 12 year old has never had a chance to even try to fix anything. Last name is Welder, and he wants to at least learn how to WELD!

His dad has 5 broken rider mowers in the back yard. Runs them til they die, the pushes them to the side and buys another.

I have 40 year old cars in my garage that run 5 times better than they did new.

He respects that, and want to learn how to make old stuff run good.

 

Yea.. I was referring to startling you.. His dad sounds like my ex step dad (long story). He would break door knobs lol. No grace or finess. Just a brute with the knobs. For the longest I lived in several homes where we started with good knobs haha. But at least he showed me how to be mechanicly capable.

 

Sorry, I thought you mistook the kid as the one who breaks everything!

 

I'm gonna take offense for all the brutes in the world that break door knobs at the slightest touch. I replace door knobs frequently, they are only good for about 6 months under my hands. It has nothing to do with grace or finesse and everything to do with door knob design.

 

Sounds like you also turn the steering wheel till it stops at every turn.. like my wife or mom or sister

 

No but I have never been able to tell the difference between a power steering car and a manual steer car. Even at a stop.

 

Or crank on the steering wheel while the car is stopped!