T60 T61 fan lubrication - illustrated guide by msb0b inside

[Muse]

As for motor oil, I'd be concerned that the viscosity is too high for a tiny low power motor. I still think synthetic automatic transmission fluid is a better bet if you can come across a little bit of the stuff.

I think I'm due for an automatic transmission fluid change as well in my car, so I'll try to snag a bit of that too. Will probably be done in a shop, since they have the equipment to flush the transmission properly, but I can ask them to save me an empty container!

I do have a pretty big container of sewing machine oil, not Singer brand, that I bought at a sewing machine shop in order to lubricate my old Singer sewing machine. Maybe that would be a good choice...

[sbjoe]

What you could easily drain from an empty qt jug would be enough for a lifetime of fan lube. The synthetic stuff is much more viscosity stable though which is significant in that it won't be heated to anything like its normal operating range.

[lstratos]

If I get the fan error, I'm assuming its too late to lube it and get it working ? I just should buy a new one ?

[msb0b]

Received and installed the previously mentioned replacement fan. It replaces the aluminum half of the thermal device such that I reuse the existing copper heat sink/heat pipe half. This new fan is only $15, quite a bit less than a whole thermal device refurbed at $40 or new at $80.

Before I put the fan in its permanent place, I pulled it apart for inspection. Interestingly, most of the lubricant is between the brass spacer and the outside sleeve, not between the sleeve and the fan axle. While the replacement fan is not identical, it has very similar design. Maybe the original fan also needs lubrication between the brass spacer and the outside sleeve. Now with the original fan motor removed, I will try and remove the brass spacer.

If I get the fan error, I'm assuming its too late to lube it and get it working ? I just should buy a new one ?

It is not too late. Go for the lubrication.

[lstratos]

It is not too late. Go for the lubrication.

Good to know.. thanks.. i got like 10 to fix..

[lstratos]

HOLY COW IT WORKS !!!!

Mine was fully not turning, basically a lot of gunk in there... I clean out the fan, just happed that I had mobil 1 0w40 from my oil change today.. no more fan errors... sweeeeeet

You guys saved me over 300 bucks, I was going to order 10 used ones off ebay..

[sbjoe]

Good to hear; M1 0w40 is great stuff in its place. I'll still go for the Redline atf dexron for this app. 0w40 is maybe a bit stiff for such a bitty thing.

[Muse]

Is sewing machine oil a bad idea? It's basically clear, and I think it's "light."

[sbjoe]

I can't speak to the efficacy of sewing machine oil; I suppose somebody's got to try it.

[lstratos]

Good to hear; M1 0w40 is great stuff in its place. I'll still go for the Redline atf dexron for this app. 0w40 is maybe a bit stiff for such a bitty thing.

unfortunately its one of the 3 oils that I can buy off the shelve that is approve for the car.. got my 2nd one done..

working on the 3rd fan.. I think i'm going to tune up all the working notebook also..

[sbjoe]

Hope they hold up.

[lstratos]

so far so good... 3 fan error no boot are all booting into windows now.. on the 4th..

[lstratos]

End up re-lubing all my dell notebooks and cleaning out the fans... luckily they fan blade all drops out.. very easy cleaning..

[rsutoratosu]

My lubrication process didn't work. I have a fan that flaps when its turning.. as if something was stuck or blocking it.. I cleaned it as well as I can, maybe didn't look at the fan blades close enough, might be a bent or broken fin.

Anything else to try besides buy a new fan/sink ?

[J888www]

In the long term automotive oil may not be the most suitable solution for this application, automotive oil is for automobiles. Sewing machine oils will suffice but when you need to rely on it to work, it is worthwhile to use the best material even if it cost that little bit more.
I used 10 W Nano Oli by StClaire http://www.nano-oil.com/Products.html on two T60p and it works fine.

[Harryc]

I use bearing oil. It's B&G Lubricant for pumps & motors. Anyone with a circulating pump on their boiler will know the stuff I am talking about.
http://www.simplyplumbing.com/bellgossett-l23401.html

[Matthew_Greening]

I still think synthetic automatic transmission fluid is a better bet if you can come across a little bit of the stuff.

Where can I get synthetic automatic transmission fluid in the UK? I think it would be a bit too much to buy 500 ml of that stuff for 6 GBP.

[sbjoe]

Where can I get synthetic automatic transmission fluid in the UK? I think it would be a bit too much to buy 500 ml of that stuff for 6 GBP.[/quote]

Agreed. I use the stuff in my car so it's easy for me. If you could find a repair shop where they use the stuff you could maybe get them to give you an empty jug or 2. You'd be surprised how much of the stull will come out of an empty if you just prop it upside down for a bit. An old 35mm film container would be a perfect receptacle and a toothpick makes a good applicator. Failing that, others seem to have had pretty good success with other lubricants. I also would caution against WD40 though.

[cristimm]

Hello, my T61 fan is almost inaudible at first speed (2900 rpm) but my T60 fan is noticeable louder at the same speed. Is it possible to replace the T60 cooler with a T61 model? Or maybe just the fan itself without the heatsink?

[rumbero]

Is it possible to replace the T60 cooler with a T61 model? Or maybe just the fan itself without the heatsink?

Yes, it is. Some people even prefer the T500 fan, as it is claimed to be even a little less audible than the T61 fan.

[tenpointnine]

A chap I know once asked, "What is the difference between WD 40 and Varnish?"

His answer: "About 6 months!"

Walter

[apie]

Regarding the illustrated guide at the beginning of this post, what about just removing the green round sticker, removing the cap underneath and dropping the oil?

I have seen it done in another type of computer fan, but maybe it's the same even for a thinkpad?!
Have a look here: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/qui ... il/5034842

What do u think?

[rlevenberg]

I lubricated my T60's fan bearing almost 4 months ago and it's still perfectly silent even after taking it with me on international trips. The percentage of success depends on how good you are working with delicate items.

I took pics and wrote up about it: http://www.msb0b.com/home/thinkpadt60fanrepair

Hope you will find it useful.

Thanks so much for your fan lubrication instructions at http://www.msb0b.com/home/thinkpadt60fanrepair. I expected to have to order a new fan but a single drop of Singer Sewing machine oil, per your instructions, seems to have done the job. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[sirweldsalot]

i.m.h.o.>>the absolute best oil for this purpose is air tool oil. very high detergent and designed for high speeds and lasts a long time and it seeps into the tight cracks of the bearing.
its very clean too. the other oils mentioned might be too thick and actually put strain on the motor when the fan is cold.
its in any hardware store.
the sewing machine oil makes sense too. its pretty clean stuff and pretty high quality.

[TTY]

Before I put the fan in its permanent place, I pulled it apart for inspection. Interestingly, most of the lubricant is between the brass spacer and the outside sleeve, not between the sleeve and the fan axle.

Did you happen to see what type of lubricant your replacement fan uses: oil, grease, or something else?

[jefsummers]

I lubricated my T60 fan tonight with Wahl clipper oil. Then ran Prime95's torture test for about 10 minutes to heat things up. Fan is whisper quiet.

[tiorapatea]

Nice thread, but sadly I have found it because I have been listening to the slow demise of my 15 inch T60's fan for some time.

Yesterday, the fan just stopped, after a violent death rattle.

So I opened up the machine, and removed the HSF. I note the FRU is 41V9932, although I don't understand the difference between this and 41W0467 (see page 61 of the HMM - http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 844_04.pdf -, where there is a "compatibility matrix").

I cleaned up the dust as best I could, cleaned off the thermal grease, using a pre-injection swab impregnated with isoproyl alcohol, and applied Arctic Silver 5. Bolted things up again, and the fan did struggle back to life for a while, but I am now getting fan error on boot.

Now I come here and find out about lubrication, and fan replacement strategies. I think I need to do a fan swap at this point, so I have looked at msb0b's illustrated guide (thank you). What I don't understand is what tools I need to cut the aluminium foil tape, and whether it is desirable to do anything to "mend" the cut when putting things back together. What I mean is, is the foil so thin that you can use anything with a blade, e.g. a kitchen knife? I didn't inspect this while I was inside the machine, and I am loathe to go back in before the final fix.

Also, if replacing the fan altogether, are there any non-obvious steps relating to connecting it up - msb0b only discusses lubrication, so disconnection is not addressed. I assume (hope) no soldering of fan wires will be necessary.

Also, I hear the best fans for this purpose may be from the T500 series, and that T61 fans are also good (or is it just the whole T61 heatpipe assembly that is better than that on the T60, and the fans may be no better?). Does anyone know the part numbers I need?

Edit: What about this, which is all I can find at the moment?

[TTY]

What I don't understand is what tools I need to cut the aluminium foil tape, and whether it is desirable to do anything to "mend" the cut when putting things back together. What I mean is, is the foil so thin that you can use anything with a blade, e.g. a kitchen knife?

I have no experience with fan lubrication on a T60, but i lubricated a T61 fan. It seems to be possible that one of the aluminum foil's functions would be to transfer heat. Therefore, i believe it to be better to peel off the aluminum foil rather than cutting it with a knife, in order to be able to attach it in one piece afterwards again. The aluminum foil on a T61 fan assembly is thick and soft and pretty easy to peel off. One also doesn't have to remove it completely; if i remember correctly, just as much that you can open up the fan assembly.

[TTY]

I think I need to do a fan swap at this point,

I would try to lubricate the fan first.

[fmcsimmons]

Thanks for this guide. I bought a T61 off eBay and it had a rattling fan. I lubricated it using some 3 in 1 oil and put some fresh thermal paste on. The rattle is now gone and temps are considerably lower.