Is motor still good?

Jul 23, 2024 Last reply: 1 year ago 2 Replies

I had a large fan motor that could only be oiled at one end, because the other end was inaccessible. It was in a roof fan. I didn't worry about it and after about 6 years, it stalled, would not spin. Removed and replaced it, but now the replacement is in the same situation. The first motor seems to spin fine after oiling with oil bought at an appliance parts store, something like 3-in-1 oil.



Do you think the motor was ruined or does the fact that it spins nicely now (with no fan blade on it) means it's worth re-using? What is your best opinion? What is your best guess?



Don't tell me to just buy a new motor in order to be sure. If that were an option, I wouldn't be asking the question in the first place.


Connect the motor to power and see if it runs. If it runs quietly it is likely OK. I hope the oil is just "something like" 3 in 1. For small motors I've been using TufOil LubIt 8 and Chevron Handy Oil ISO 15.

The Chevron oil is / was used extensively in type-writers and business machines as well as fishing gear, sewing machines and firearms. It doesn't oxidise and gum up like 3 in 1.

The TufOil is very similar.

Yes it seems fine.

I only meant in viscosity.

I don't think it has a grade on it. Came in a plstic bottle with a long thin tube that could be pulled from fairly long nozzle, it order to get into hard places. But try as I could I coudln't oil the top of the motor. I boutht it twice, at two of the local appliance parts stores.

I only meant in viscosity. I would hope an appliance store would sell suitable, high quality oil. Probably it was on the only kind they had, at least on display.

Another problem is that to replace it, I take it out of the bracket but it's heavy and above my head and my arms get tired while trying to get the 3-piece bracket put back together. Now I'm an inch or two shorter so it will be much harder. Thinking of getting a small step ladder and taking it to the attic, but the attic has no real floor, just pieces of plywood lying on the insulation on the trusses.

Plus I shoudl have done this before the summer. I was misled by previous summers that were not as hot.

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