Noisy fan

[viewer]

I have never screwed my top back on the unit since modding, it is just slid on.

I noticed the unit getting louder and louder, and slid back to top, and it is the fan unit.

I blew out all the dust from the unit before, and nothing is touching it etc, even with the case off.

Is there a way to oil grease it etc to reduce the noise, or is this a fan death rattle?

If it is a death rattle, are they easy to swap out with something else?

Cheers

edit.
I found this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Se9x0Kxc0 however, on removing the fan from the unit, and peeling back it's sticker, it has no visible bearing, and appears a sealed unit !!

What next please?

[Darren King]

Your description is fairly common and the fans are easy to service. I do this to every TiVo that comes over my workbench for repair or modding:

Firstly, unscrew it from the chassis. You'll need a Torx-15 screwdriver - also handy for hard disk removal from brackets if you ever need to, and a Torx-10 for the case. You probably have those but handy info for anyone else reading this.

Peel off the sticker in the centre of the fan and under that you will find a rubber plug. Carefully remove it with a sharp knife and you will see the tip of the axle the fan blade assembly spins on.

Grab some WD40, RP7 or whatever your choice of spray lubricant and give the whole axle and bearing a drink down the centre - no need to remove the axle just squirt away in the hole where the plug was.

Then put the rubber cap back on. Don't worry about the label throw it away.

That will keep things going for a long time.

EXTRA INFO (and what I do): Technically you CAN remove the plastic retaining circlip on the axle and remove the fan assembly but for the first timer it may be tedious and end up breaking or losing it. I also use white lithium grease but I do a LOT of fans, so for the one off while some argue WD40 is not the best choice it is the easiest and most widely available to most and does the job.

[viewer]

Thanks Darren, I just read about the plug in the centre on the net, before you posted your reply.

I was able to get that plug out, and I put in one drop of sewing machine oil, and cleaned any moisture. I spun and blew it around a few times, dried it again, reinserted plug, put sticker back on and reinstalled the fan on the motherboard power supply.

Started it up, and YIPPEE, it is as quiet as a church mouse now.

many thanks, and I hope my newbie repair helps others.

[viewer]

PS...I wish we could encourage more users to this forum, as it can be a great tool for beginners like myself, IF USED.

[Darren King]

Glad to hear all is good.

More people will come in time. Given most are happy with things does mean not a lot of activity, but people are always welcome to contribute. And like yourself you will soon have answers to help out the next!

[viewer]

Back again...the little fan got noisy again...is one like this ok? Naturally, will look for 1 item only !!

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...ceBeautifyAB=0

[Darren King]

They will work. Like most aftermarket replacements it will probably sound like a jet engine when you first power on the TiVo but it will quieten down when the TiVo starts loading the software and throttles it back.

[viewer]

Thanks Darren