WD40 on a graphics card fan?

[Lazy8s]

I'm trying to help my g/f out by putting my old Ti4200 in her system since her old graphics card decided to die tonight. The fan on it is extremely loud though. I removed it but I can't get it open because the microscopic screwe don't unscrew they just strip. :-/ Anyways, I was wondering if anyone knew if I could try sprayng a tiny bit of WD40 or something into the fan to see if I could quiet it down.

Any ideas? Running it with the fan unplugged would probably toast the card right?

 

[xgsound]

The 4200 is a great card and will be ruined without the fan. While WD-40 is a great cleaner for such devices, it is a cleaner and only a very short term lubricant. After cleaning, apply a light (?3-in-1) machine oil to insure prolonged lubrication and you should be OK. Better yet replace the fan ... I've always waited too long.


Jim

 

[Lazy8s]

I waited too long here as well. A month or so ago a guy and I were in search of a ti4200 fan (his did the same thing) but neither of us could find a fan availabl.

 

[MrPickins]

What about something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835192006

Reviewed By: MightyShaggy on 8/2/2006
Tech Level: average - Ownership: less than 1 day


Pros: Fits on a Gainward GeForce4 Ti 4200 64MB perfectly. Made of copper. Comes with 8 aluminum heatsinks for the memory, 19x19x6mm. They are large enough to almost cover the memory chips. Very easy to install. A monkey could do it. Well, maybe. But you get the point. A nice blue light, but wasn't needed in this situation. Exremely low noise fan. Had to have my ear about 6 inches from it just to even make out any noise.

Cons: No complaints.

Other Thoughts: Had to replace the stock heatsink/fan on my mom's video card. The fan would only turn when you gave it a push. Not real easy when it's inside of an older steel case with no windows. After letting it run, copper heatsink just a slight warm, but not hot and memory heatsinks are cool to the touch. Can't give any temperture readings, but used Artic Silver 5 instead of thermal paste it came with. Doesn't seem like a unit for the high end cards, but for some of the older cards, it should work great.

 

[Blain]

I just pull the sticker off that covers the end of the shaft and oil with 3-in-one.
I then make sure the surface has no oil residue, then reseal the shaft with foil duct tape.
It quiets most fans if they aren't too far gone. Even then it helps.

 

[polypterus]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
What about something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835192006

For $17 he could just buy another ti4200.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: FrizQuadrata

Originally posted by: MrPickins
What about something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835192006

For $17 he could just buy another ti4200.

Maybe another used one with a fan about to go out.

 

[0roo0roo]

take fan off, pull sticker off back, drop of oil in. wd40 is not good for this.

this may prolong fan life a little.

use hotglue or zip ties or whatever to strap a normal fan to the card, or whatever fan u got lying around. use a fan speed control if need be

 

[Lazy8s]

I just ordered the fan off newegg. Last time I looked it was out of stock so this is great. I'm going to try some 3-in-1 motor oil in the end of the fan. Thanks a ton. I'll be sure to post the result. I just need it to last for 1 week till I can install the new fan.

 

[Blain]

Make sure a seal the shaft after you oil it. The old sticker probably won't hold well enough.
Also, don't over oil it. Just one or two drops should be enough.

 

[xgsound]

Originally posted by: FrizQuadrata

Originally posted by: MrPickins
What about something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835192006

For $17 he could just buy another ti4200.

The 4200 may not have any current retail value, but it is an excellent card for the wide variety of machines (200 Mhz to 4000 Mhz) it can work in. I don't even have an APG mobo and I'd take all the $17 4200s I could get. It's fast at what it can do, has reliable drivers for many OSs, is supported by many APIs, and cannot be easily replaced.


Jim

 

[Lazy8s]

Ok hit a hickup here. I took the foil off the top of the fan and there's no opening. It's a solid top. Where do I put the motor oil?

 

[Blain]

Is there a rubber or plastic plug covering the shaft hole.
Sometimes you have to pry one up out of the hole in order to oil it.

 

[Lazy8s]

Nope it's a solid piece. No matter, I pulled the fan out and I will apply it from underneith

 

[Blain]

You mean you just took the sticker off the fan blade?

 

[Lazy8s]

Ok, I had to remove the fan from inside the heatsink, I used a glasses screw driver to remove the board that controlls the RPM from the base to get to the shaft. I put 2 drops in and WOW!!! It's quieter than the day I bought the thing! Now I'm wondering how many fans I can do this to haha! Sorry no pics my digital camera was left at home. If I ever have to do it again I'll take pics to show you what I was talking about. Thanks again!

 

[Blain]

I told you it would work. Make sure it's sealed very well.
I forgot about some fans having a label on the blades also.