Found out the hard way that WD-40 isn't a lubricant on a compressor motor

I was working on this old fridge compressor about 2 months ago, one of those late 90s Whirlpool models. The fan blade was sticking and making this awful noise every time it kicked on. So I grabbed my trusty can of WD-40 and soaked the shaft. Quieted down for about an hour, then seized up completely. Guy I was shadowing at the time saw what happened and just shook his head. Told me WD-40 is a solvent, not a lube. I had to walk 3 blocks to the nearest hardware store in Tulsa to get some proper 3-in-1 oil. Stripped the whole thing down, cleaned off the gunk, and applied the right stuff. Been running smooth ever since. Anyone else get burned by that mistake early on?

2 comments

2 Comments

lily_singh21mo ago

its always the stuff that seems obvious that gets you

sage_dixon1mo ago

Hear me out though, sometimes the stuff that seems obvious is obvious for a reason. Like, I've missed clear warning signs before just because I was looking for a more complicated answer. The simple truth is usually the right one. Don't always overthink it.