Your model may require a specific kind of oil, oiling at a certain frequency (like once a year), or may require no oil at all. Therefore it is important to follow the care instructions for your specific model. If you have lost your owner’s manual, you could visit the maker’s website or call them to inquire about care instructions. To find the website, locate the company’s name on your fan and do a Google search.
If it is hard to see with your fan’s lights off, use a flashlight.
A fan’s downrod is what connects the housing of the motor to the mounting hardware. It is the narrow tube that connects the fan to the ceiling.
If the pipe cleaner comes out with oil on it, then oiling the fan will not solve your problem. If the pipe cleaner is inserted and it doesn’t touch oil in the reservoir, you should oil your fan.
You will need a 10, 15, or 20 weight oil. Do not use 3-in-1 oil or an oil with detergents. [4] X Research source Try Hunter oil for fans. This is a specific fan oil that will work well for most models. [5] X Research source Don’t use WD-40. WD-40 is not a motor oil. It can be used for cleaning dirty bearings on your fan, but is not sufficient to protect moving parts. [6] X Research source
To clean your fan’s motor, do not use all-purpose cleaner. Simply wipe it with a rag.
If your fan has not been oiled in a very long time, it might require more than 1-2 ounces of oil. Fill it until it reaches the level of your 1/2” pipe cleaner hook.
Instead of turning on the fan, you could also slowly spin the blades around with your hand while the power is off. You will still be able to hear if there are problems.
You could find someone at a fan store, at a fan department of a larger home improvement store, or online by doing a Google search for fan repair in your city.
Be sure to support the lighting unit as you remove it so that it doesn’t crash to the ground. You will also need to remove protective wire nuts on the lighting unit. Find an appropriate wrench that will allow you to twist these off. Once these are removed, you should be able to detach the lighting unit from the fan by gently pulling it off. Once the lighting unit is removed, set it out of the way.
You may need help from a friend to hold the fan blades as you take them down. You can use an electric screwdriver to unscrew the blades more easily.
If you can’t find the screws that are holding the motor’s cover in place, they may be covered by a decorative ring.
Cover the wires that are hanging down from the ceiling with black electrical tape.
Repeat this for the bottom bearings. Turn the motor upside down and add a few drops of oil where the blades connect to the motor. Turn the bottom section of the motor 10 times to work the oil into the bearings.
