How To Oil an Electric Motor

Most electric motors in our homes are sealed by the manufacturer, which means they don’t need oil or maintenance. But, every once in a while, you might come across one that is designed to be oiled, such as certain furnaces and pumps or older power tools like bench grinders. When you do find one of those, it’s important to know how to oil an electric motor correctly.

You can often tell if an electric motor is designed to be oiled if it has oil ports near the motor shaft above the bearings. If you find such a beast, don’t ignore it. “Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your electric motors,” says Shlomo Cherniak, owner of Cherniak Home Services. “Therefore, always check your devices’ manuals for specific oiling instructions and intervals.”

Here’s how to oil an electric motor and which oil to use.

How to Oil an Electric Motor

• Before you service any electric motor, first turn off the appliance and unplug it if possible (especially if the owner’s manual instructs to do so).
• Locate the oil ports and wipe them clean. “For something like a furnace or other parts of an HVAC system, look for oil ports, typically near the motor shaft,” says Melanie Powers, president at Goodberlet Home Services.
• Apply the oil. Typically, a few drops are all that are needed for small household motors.
• Wipe off excess oil to prevent it from collecting dust, and avoid over-oiling since that can clog the motor.
• Repeat annually (or as needed).

What Kind of Oil Do You Use for Electric Motors?

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Most household electric motors call for a non-detergent all-in-one SAW 20 electric motor oil. But some motors might require various other kinds of grease specifically formulated for that machine, so refer to the appliance manual to find the correct oil.

“For example, hair trimmers with electric motors use a different viscosity lubricant than an electric garbage disposal motor does,” says Brandon Walker, superintendent at ASAP Restoration. “If you try to use one in place of the other, you will cause a burn-out of the motor, or worse.”

“The most common pitfall [to oiling an electric motor] is using the wrong type of oil,” says Cherniak. “Avoid automotive oils, as they are usually too thin and contain detergents that can damage the motor.” Be sure not to use automotive oil on electric motors, as it can dissolve insulation and fry the motor.

FAQ

Why do you have to use a specialized oil for electric motors?

Powers says it’s important to use the correct oil for electric motors to prevent buildup and because electric motors generate high heat temperatures, so you want an oil that can perform under such conditions.

Using the correct specialized oil also prolongs the life of the motor by reducing friction on the bearings, thus preventing wear. “Using oils with the wrong viscosity will cause the parts to abrade each other, and this friction contact causes heat, which then further degrades the oil and causes a runaway cycle,” says Walker.

Do all electric motors need oil?

No, not all electric motors need oil. Many electric motors have sealed bearings and are designed to be maintenance-free.

“For bearings that are intended to operate in contact with one another, then you likely won’t need oil at all,” says Walker. “For the kinds that do require it, then it must be a specialized formulation.”

Where are the most common electric motors around the house that need oil?

Most modern-day electric motors are sealed and don’t need to be oiled. But, depending on the make, model and age, some household electric motors that may need to be oiled include:

• HVAC systems
• Electric pumps
• Ceiling and other fans
• Older appliances
• Electric heaters
• Exhaust fan motors
• Refrigerators
• Trash compactors
• Washing machines
• Sewing machines
• Power tools, such as bench grinders

“Keep a log of which devices need oiling and record the dates when you last serviced them to keep up with them consistently,” says Cherniak.

About the Experts

• Melanie Powers is president at Goodberlet Home Services, a female-owned plumbing, construction, electrical and HVAC repair company, serving parts of Illinois and Indiana since 1982.
• Shlomo Cherniak owns Cherniak Home Services, a handyman service serving the Baltimore area for more than 10 years, offering services from installing kitchen cabinets to fixing leaky faucets and hanging pictures.
• Brandon Walker is a superintendent at ASAP Restoration in Tempe, Arizona. He has been in the construction industry for more than 20 years, starting as a teenager and working his way up to running his own company.