# Squeaky Fan Motor

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 12, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557 "2014-08-12T15:41:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jmcarc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/278dde/32.png) [@jmcarc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jmcarc)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557/1 "2014-08-12T15:41:03Z")

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The electric radiator fan motor in my 1992 Buick is begining to squeak. It’s most noticeable during its gradual stop after shutting off the engine. Will WD40 or some other lubricant applied to its shaft remedy the problem? Or, will it be just a temporary fix before its inevitable failure?

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557/2 "2014-08-12T16:05:50Z")

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It will not work. The fan has sealed bearings, so the WD-40 will not penetrate into the bearing. I’d start shopping for a deal. Some places, like [rockauto.com](http://rockauto.com), have pretty low prices, but can take up to a week or more to deliver.

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**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 6:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557/3 "2014-08-13T06:34:42Z")

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Heck, spray away. It just might get past that bearing seal that has probably failed anyway.

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**Author:** ![MY\_2\_CENTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@MY\_2\_CENTS](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MY_2_CENTS)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557/4 "2014-08-13T06:39:08Z")

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Once these start squeaking the only fix is to replace them.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557/5 "2014-08-13T07:06:51Z")

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Yep!

Tester

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaky-fan-motor/86557/6 "2014-08-13T07:30:11Z")

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Change the fan. If it seizes and allows the engine to overheat the cost to repair the damage will skyrocket. No good can come from not replacing it.