There is only one thing that can annoy you more than listening to a squeaky ceiling fan that is, to disassemble it and take it down to oil it. luckily, there is a method to oil your ceiling fan without all the extra burden.
You need to keep reading our step-by-step guide on how to lubricate your fan without taking it down!
Lubricating a ceiling fan is not a difficult task. Firstly, you need to setup a ladder, reach the oil hole, and clean it. oil holes usually have label on them and found near the top portion of the fan’s motor cover. After checking the oil levels, you can fill the hole gradually with suggested motor oil.
When to Lubricate Your Ceiling Fan?
In general, moving parts in appliances or machinery need lubrication to work better, and ceiling fans are also one of them. Most manufacturers recommend that you check the oil levels in your ceiling fan at least once a year.
Lubrication not only avoids the annoying squeaking or grating noises, but also prevents the friction, rust and corrosion from developing.
If you fail to lubricate your fan, your unit will stop working altogether!
It should be kept in mind; however, every fan does not need to be lubricated. Most newer models are designed with self lubricating, sealed ball bearings. This prevents you from going through this type of maintenance.
You need to go through your fan’s manual or find care for your unit model online to find out if your fan needs lubrication or not, if yes, how often it should be done.
Tools You’ll Need
| Tool | Amazon Link To View |
| ZEN Pipe Cleaners Hard Bristle | Check |
| COSCO 6ft Signature Series Step Ladder | Check |
What Oil to Use?
Any oil will not work. When dealing with ceiling fans, you need to lubricate the part of the motor, you will definitely use motor oil. In this case, the perfect choice of oil would be non-detergent motor oil 10, 15, or 20-weight.
Some other oils may also work including white mineral oil or olive oil. However, our recommendation is to only use motor oil (or whatever soil is suggested in your model’s manual).
Safety Precautions
Always prefer safety! We always take precautions first, as even the simplest task can be very harmful if the proper steps are avoided.
Always Go Through the Manual
As already discussed earlier in the article, you should go through your manual before you start oiling your fan. There is a chance that oiling is not essential, that oiling doesn’t need to be done more often, or your fan model only uses specific oil.
You can save yourself from a headache by following the proper instructions. Additionally, the damage or strain to your fan can also be avoided and keeps your money in your wallet too.
Switch off the Electric Outlet
You want to avoid any power going to your fan while you are handing it, even if you are not involving the wires.
Ensure that your fan is not on, turn it off from the wall switch (if applicable), and before you start flip off the breaker to your fan too. This might sound too much, but you must avoid an electrical shock. So be safe to avoid being sorry.
Using a Ladder
There is a high chance that you may not be able to reach your fan, so you will have to use something to stand on.
Get a proper ladder to stand on, avoid using a chair or any other furniture and especially do not use a swivel chair.
Make sure to abide by the safe ladder practices too. it should be tall enough so when you use it you do not have to lean. Use the ladder’s lock to secure it, if it has one, and make sure you have placed it on a flat surface to avoid wobbling.
Lubricating a Ceiling Fan Without Taking It Down
#1 Step: Reaching the Oil hole
In order to reach the oil hole of your fan, set up your ladder so that you can find it around the top portion of your fan’s engine.
The size of the oil hole should be small, and it may have a label.
If you fail to locate the oil hole, go through the fan manual again to ensure the availability and to find out where it should be. It is also possible that there is no oil hole, and your model of fan is self-lubricating.
#2 Step: Checking the Fan’s Oil Level
You have to use a pipe cleaner in order to test the fan’s oil level.
- Turn it into a “J” shape, and also ensure that the short end is about ½” long.
- After that, you need to turn the pipe cleaner so that the bend will be in upward position, similar to candy cane. Put the short, ½” section into the oil hole, after that, remove it.
- If you are able to notice oil on the pipe cleaner, it means that your reservoir is still full.
- If there is no sign of oil on the pipe cleaner, you should go ahead to start the lubrication process.
#3 Step: Cleaning the Oil Hole
Since cleaning gets rid of any dust and gunk, there is a low chance that it will reach inside your fan’s engine.
If more dirt reaches your fan’s oil hole, it will become gummier from inside, restricting your fan to move and run smoothly.
That is the reason it is imperative to clean around the oil hole as much as possible, either use a damp rag or WD-40. You may be able to clean the oil hole from inside but ensure that do not leave anything inside it.
#4 Step: Oiling the Fan
After completing the cleaning around the oil hole, let the lingering dampness if any to dry. You can start filling your oil hole after that.
Make sure to fill it slowly and avoid overfilling it. After completion, if there is anything around the hole, clean it.
How Much Oil Do You Need?
The amount of oil requirement can be decided by the model of your fan and by how long it has been since you oiled it.
In general, you will need 1-2 oz. of oil, in some cases, you might need up to 3 oz. It is hard to decide in advance how much you will need, therefore, our suggestion is going slow.
To avoid overfilling, a small amount of oil should be poured into the oil hole at a time. Wait for a few seconds so the oil can settle down between fillings, and examine the level of oil with the pipe cleaner you used earlier. If there is no sign of oil, continue filling.
Once you are able to see the oil on the pipe cleaner, you will know when to stop.
