That noise you hear is the pick up pump in the tank. One way to make any in tank fuel pump last is to never let your gas level fall below a quarter of a tank. Why, because that little motor is cooled by the gas in the tank. When the level falls too far down the excess heat can start to damage the motor and shorten it's life. You only have to pay for one $500 (my daughter and her Mercury Cougar) fuel pump before you drive that point home to all the drivers at your house. The one in your 240 is cheap and easy to change so don't worry be happy. Not going to go out if it just makes noise, just fill up when it hits the quarter tank mark.

Fan, You can lube it, but sooner or later for the sake of your mental health, you will have to change it. Read up on the Modified Chainsaw Method and check out Cleanflametrap.com for some light reading on your options when you get a chance.

Regards,

Paul