High frequency fan squeal

[Ragueneau]

I've run my new (used) X41T for about ten total hours so far, and the fan has developed a really high frequency constant squeal. It's definitely the fan as the noise persists when I boot it without the hard drive installed.

This was intended as a low cost project, so I'm not interested in spending more than, say, $15 to solve the problem which will probably rule out most eBay replacements. Has anyone had luck lubricating one of these? I've seen threads in the T4x forum about drilling holes and lubricating the bearing, but I'm not sure if that applies to this model.

In any case, it seems like removing the HSF is inescapable?