Fan Cleaning

[redbaron_snoopy]

What is the best way to clean out the grime and dirt in the fans, especially the PSU, CPU and case fans ?

Michael

[RJ]

I use compressed air.

RJ

[morriswindgate]

Although the best way to get a clean fan is to throw them away and replace them. The cheapest way is to use compressed or canned air. Just remember when using canned air to remove the power to the computer. This is because the canned air is not air but a gas which will get cold as you spray it and can cause codensation that could cause a short circuit. Also hold the can upright and do not invert it as it will spray cold liquid.

[JMERRIFE]

...in addition to the air, you could 'help' it with an old (clean)
toothbrush.

[joe merc]

The most effective method in my experience is one which I have not seen mentioned either on the internet or in any of the numerous computer magazines I have read.

And yet I thinks its easily the best way of going about. Its very effective and its much cheaper than compressed air.

About once a year or so I clean the case fan, the PSU and CPU fan.

The front case fan I take out of the case.

The Power supply fan is best taken out of the case, but can be serviced reasonably effectively through the fan grille. (personally I am very particular and I take it out of the case to clean it properly, but suit yourself)

The CPU fan I leave attached to the CPU (not worth the effort of removing it and it can still be cleaned well)

Get some cotton buds and get a bottle of methylated spirits. Pour some into the bottle cap and dip a cotton bud into the spirits

Clean your fan with the cotton buds. Change the cotton buds as necessary. You will find this will clean the fans extremely well and is a very cheap method.

Im from Australia (Im not sure what u americans call methylated spirits or cotton buds there) Hope that helps.

[joe merc]

Forgot to mention that a few small rags to give the occasional wipe are also helpful to get the fans almost spotlessly clean.

After cleaning with the cotton buds as much grime as possible soak a cotton bud into the methylated spirits, smear it over the blades, then wipe them with the rags this will simply help to finish off the cleaning.

[morriswindgate]

By the way if you smoke, don't do it around the computer tower. It will coat everything inside and create hot spots on the componants.

[joe merc]

Good advice concerning the smoking around computers. My g/f never listens to me when I tell her smoking is neither good for her or the computer I gave her. Its like talking to a brick wall.

If u are using methylated spirits for cleaning dont smoke while u are using it. It is a flammable liquid.

[joe merc]

Having read over what I have written, when I say that I take the PS fan out of the case, what I mean is that I take the PS out of the case and then the fan out of the power supply to clean it properly.

I leave the connecting wire of the fan attached to the PS (it is soldered) and I clean both sides of the fan.

Its simply more effective than just doing it from outside the grille of the power supply doing it this way.

[glc]

We must caution you that there are voltages hazardous to humans inside a PSU even after unplugging it!

I use a small high pressure electric blower to blast the dust out, after wedging straws in the fans to keep them from spinning.

[DrZaius]

When fixing my HP printer I found that the ink was leaking and the the fan blades for a small 60mm inside the printer were coated with ink, it could barely spin. I couldn't find another fan that was the right thickness, so I just put the dirty fan in a plastic tub with some soap and let it soak overnight. The next day the water was black and the fan was clean. I let it dry for another day and installed it back, works great! :D

I would not recommend doing this often though. ;)

[joe merc]

"We must caution you that there are voltages hazardous to humans inside a PSU even after unplugging it!"

This statement is not correct. I had a conversation with a pc technician about this the very first time I opened up a power supply to lubricate a fan bearing. I had read that this was a possibility with some of the older style power supplies. Here was his reply.

You need to read more recent books. I've been an electronics and computer tech both in the private and military world since the late 60's and worked on vcr's, computers from rack to laptop, printers of all sizes, microwaves, radar equipment, missile electronics and test equipment, etc and believe me there is no danger from your PC's power supply once you turn it off and unplug the power cord from the back of it.

I have pulled out my power supply and opened it up quite a few times and my experience has been that he was correct. There is a label on the power supply giving a warning but this is only to help ensure people dont fiddle around with the insides of their power supply.

There may have been a danger with older style power supplies but certainly not todays modern power supplies. Once you disconnect it from the power connection there is no danger of it holding a charge.

[redbaron_snoopy]

Seems that most will either use
a) some small implement + cleaning liquid or
b) compressed air to clean it.

I also use (a) but it's really tedious and time consuming.
Maybe I try (b) instead. Have to be careful not to blow the grime into the motherboard though !

Thanks everyone.

[glc]

Joe: If it has capacitors it can hold a charge. We choose to err on the side of caution in these regards in this forum for liability reasons. I don't doubt your qualifications, mine are similar but not as extensive as yours, but our long-standing policy here is we recommend that if you don't know exactly what you are doing, stay out of the insides of things like power supplies and monitors.

[joe merc]

The insides of monitors are something which definitely should not be opened by untrained people as these do hold a charge.

I agree that if in doubt it's always best to be cautious and err on the side of safety.

[redbaron_snoopy]

I had a small surge going through my arms when touching the case of and oldie Pentium (AT) I'm upgrading even with the main power off. I think it can only come from the power supply discharging.

[buildingit]

Cotton Buds= Q-Tips :)


Edit: (Haha, I am a sophomore now! Ya, right!)

[glc]

Methylated spirits = isopropyl alcohol

[joe merc]

"I had a small surge going through my arms when touching the case of and oldie Pentium (AT) I'm upgrading even with the main power off. I think it can only come from the power supply discharging."

Most likely what you were experiencing was the discharge of static electricity from YOUR BODY to the case.

Since you are upgrading..................

Whenever working with computer components just to be safe from Electro Static Discharge always use an anti static strap.

Attach the strap to the case and your wrist. This will provide a PARTIAL earth. It will minimize greatly the possibility of damage to electronic components through ESD.

The computer should be UNPLUGGED not simply turned off.

Leaving the computer plugged in does provide a better earth but is dangerous with todays power supplies which have only a "soft" switch to turn them off.

This should leave your body at the same electrical potential as your case making it highly unlikely you will zap a component.

Damage of this type to computer components is not common but it does happen. Better safe than sorry!!!!

[redbaron_snoopy]

I took out the PSU and tried cleaning the fan with Q-Tips and IPA.
The tip end up dropping inside the PSU. Sigh. Open it up, took out the Q-tip and decide to take out the fan. Drop 1 screw in the kitchen sink (I was doing it on the kitchen sink because of the amount of grime)and in my natural reaction to save the screw, I accidentally yank out one end of the fan cable and got cut on the back of my hand. Sigh again.

It took me an hour just to repair and clean the fan/PSU.
I think I will not clean any more fans or PSU from now on..

[joe merc]

"I think I will not clean any more fans or PSU from now on."

Of course as with anything you do u must be a little bit careful:

not to drop the q tip in the PSU
not to drop the screw in the kitchen sink
not to yank out the fan cable
not to cut the back of your hand

It sounds like the PSU u were cleaning had not been cleaned for quite some time and was pretty grimey.

In such a case I would have spread out some newspaper and done it on a table or bench not the kitchen sink. You would have avoided the latter 3 mishaps u encountered.

Learn from the experience. U will find the next time it will be a much easier job.

If u dont wish to clean fans in future your only alternative is to replace them when the bearings begin to fail.

Having excessive grime on the fan blades places a strain on the bearings and decreases the efficiency of the fans, which consequently leads to a slight increase in temperature in the case and PSU. It also shortens the life of the fan.

I clean the fans and check them for lubrication every couple of years or so. Just whenever it appears they are getting too grimey.

I have a 486 used daily since 1995 and P3 used daily since 1997 and the fans are all in beautiful running order.

A quality fan will last many years if looked after properly.

[redbaron_snoopy]

Hi Joe, you must be the ultimate fan of the Fans !

[joe merc]

:cool:

Just dont get me started on any other topic concerning computing.
Otherwise u will really hear an earful!!


:D

[glc]

Our ears are open, Joe - that's what it's all about here!

Welcome to PC Mech!