Submit Hint Search The Forums LinksStatsPollsHeadlinesRSS
14,000 hints and counting!


Click here to return to the 'Repair MacBook Pro cooling fan rattling' hint
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Repair MacBook Pro cooling fan rattling
Authored by: MMeldrum on Feb 14, '11 03:22:26PM

I had the exact same problem with my right (GPU) fan on my MacBookPro4,1.

I assumed that Apple would charge crazy amounts to do the repair, I bought a replacement fan from iFixit for $50. Including shipping (to the UK) and import taxes/fees the total was closer to $100.

I later discovered that Apple would've done the parts+repair for $28 (£17.50)...!! So don't assume it's cheaper to DIY - check with someone at the Genius Bar first!

Cheers
M



[ Reply to This | # ]
Repair MacBook Pro cooling fan rattling
Authored by: ascanio on Feb 14, '11 11:28:09PM

I had Apple answer that that noise was normal (!!!) and they didn't replace it while in warranty…

A.



[ Reply to This | # ]
Repair MacBook Pro cooling fan rattling
Authored by: FelixMendeldog on Feb 15, '11 04:34:20AM
I’m surprised that Apple may have charged so little. It’s not that the repair is difficult (I did mine last month) – and obviously Apple buys millions of little fans so their wholesale cost per fan is extremely low – but it does require one to remove many tiny screws; and it takes time to carefully clean the heat sink fins. The job took me 45 minutes; my fan cost $53.12, brand new, delivered to New York from iFixit. I could have paid less, but iFixit posts outstanding tear-down guides online – I support them.

That said, my closest Apple store is 20 minutes away; I might have paid Apple to do it had I known they charge less than $30. But I enjoyed making the repair myself; and since I meticulously cleaned the inside of my MacBook (the heat sink radiator fins were choked with dust) my fan-speeds now hover much lower than before. Had I cleaned this dust a few years ago, my fan may have lasted longer than four years – it certainly would have spun slower and made less noise when it was healthy!

[ Reply to This | # ]
Repair MacBook Pro cooling fan rattling
Authored by: MMeldrum on Feb 15, '11 03:27:02PM

I feel I kinda need to justify why I got Apple to do the repair for me.

I did the repair myself with the original iFixit fan, but it was still noisy..?! :( Rather than go through the whole expensive and time consuming process of getting a replacement fan re-shipped (yet more import duties) I returned the iFixit fan and went to the Apple store instead.

Opening up my MBP and cleaning it out was definitely an interesting/worthwhile experience - my heatsinks were equally clogged up! It just seemed silly for me to persevere when Apple were offering to do it so cheaply. Out of warranty too! The Genius guy must've been having a good day. :)



[ Reply to This | # ]