Buzzing/Rattling Fans?

[peskaa]

My 2009 Mac Pro has recently started making a horrible buzzing/rattling noise, and I think it may be coming from one of the fans. It's incredibly annoying - warranty job, or is there something easy that I need to do to fix this?


Attached iPhone recording of the buzz. It's intermittent, and moving the MP usually fixes it.

[dissolve]

Which fan is it coming from? Are you still under AppleCare? They'll certainly replace a fan for you.

[peskaa]

It's coming from somewhere round the optical bay (ie: top front), but not totally sure. As for AppleCare, yes, covered until 2013.

[2contagious]

It's coming from somewhere round the optical bay (ie: top front), but not totally sure. As for AppleCare, yes, covered until 2013.

Listen to the back of your Mac Pro, is it buzzing louder at the top?

[ekwipt]

my 2008 had some problems with buzzing and it turned out that the glue holding the magnets together that lock the CPU covers in place had come apart (hot temps?). A few balls of bluetack fixed my problem.

I'd take the cover off and have listen around...

[Desmo1098]

@EKWIPT

Could you elaborate a little more about your problem? Maybe with a picture?

I have had my Mac Pro, 2010 6-core, in the Apple store twice and they fail to refuse the noise is there. However, in my dead silent office I can hear it. To me is sounds like a bearing problem. I told the Genius that the problem is in the fan built-in to the CPU heatsink. He told me that there are only 3 fans in the entire Mac Pro. I said no, he said yes only three. I then proceeded to remove the processor tray and point to the CPU fans. I'll admit, I did not know that they were there also.

Anyways, they said it was fine.

The only way I could diagnose the problem, was by opening the side panel with the Mac Pro powered on the find the problem. I was also surprised to find two tiny fans built-in to the large heat sink.

[Transporteur]

He told me that there are only 3 fans in the entire Mac Pro. I said no, he said yes only three. .

Well played Mr. Apple "Genius"! :D

[ekwipt]

http://i52.tinypic.com/hrevya.jpg

[mjsmke]

just listened to the file in the first post. It doesn't sound like a fan bearing. It sounds more like the PSU.

[peskaa]

just listened to the file in the first post. It doesn't sound like a fan bearing. It sounds more like the PSU.

I'm still trying to check where it's coming from - but at the moment every time I pull the MP out from under the desk, pop the latch and take the door off the horrible noise stops! Unfortunately my closest repair store is an hour and a half away, and my luck would be that it simply wouldn't evidence at an appointment.

[dissolve]

I'm still trying to check where it's coming from - but at the moment every time I pull the MP out from under the desk, pop the latch and take the door off the horrible noise stops! Unfortunately my closest repair store is an hour and a half away, and my luck would be that it simply wouldn't evidence at an appointment.

This makes it seem less like the PSU and more like a loose fan or rattling hard drive. I agree that the file you attached sounds exactly like a buzzing PSU but not with this behavior. Next time, try pulling out your MP, leave the door on, and listen right next to where the power plug connects. If it's not any louder or doesn't sound like it's coming from there, you've got a different issue.

[odinsride]

It's probably vibrations coming from one of the HD sleds. Mine does the same thing...this is poor engineering imo.

[Transporteur]

just listened to the file in the first post. It doesn't sound like a fan bearing. It sounds more like the PSU.

I know how a buzzing PSU sounds, and that's not it.
I'd definitely go for vibrations caused by either mechanical hard drives or fans.

OP, please check you ODD bay and eventually the power supply cable cover behind it. This is where most rattlings come from.

[ekwipt]

I'm still trying to check where it's coming from - but at the moment every time I pull the MP out from under the desk, pop the latch and take the door off the horrible noise stops! Unfortunately my closest repair store is an hour and a half away, and my luck would be that it simply wouldn't evidence at an appointment.

I just listened to the file you uploaded. This along with what you said above makes me think we have the same problem, i'm about 80% sure.

What you need to do is check all the plastic seals and covers. I'm pretty sure you'll need to remove the seals and re-glue the magnets. Did you see my picture, it's not elegant but it "Just Works" :apple:

[Transporteur]

I just listened to the file you uploaded. This along with what you said above makes me think we have the same problem, i'm about 80% sure.

What you need to do is check all the plastic seals and covers. I'm pretty sure you'll need to remove the seals and re-glue the magnets. Did you see my picture, it's not elegant but it "Just Works" :apple:

The 2009 machines don't have any plastic covers that might rattle.

[ekwipt]

You're right just checked out some photos, there's a lot of places for the rattling though. Whate are the covers made of where the optical and power supply are. Or maybe the exhaust on the middle fan. Or the CpU covers.
http://www.dvhardware.net/news/apple_mac_pro_nehalem_cebit09.jpg

[dissolve]

If it's really a rattle instead of a buzz, the most common issue I've seen are hard drive sleds. Try running with the case open and putting your hand up to each one, one at a time. Still gotta find out which area its coming from though :p

[Transporteur]

You're right just checked out some photos, there's a lot of places for the rattling though. Whate are the covers made of where the optical and power supply are. Or maybe the exhaust on the middle fan. Or the CpU covers.


Actually there are no lose covers in the 2009/2010 systems.
The ODD bay itself is a single unit, just as it was in the earlier models. This is actually the only lose part in the Pro, which might cause the noise.

The PS is (alike the previous systems) covered by a fixed plate of aluminium. No possibility to rattle.

There are no CPU covers. What you see in the picture you provided are the actual heat sinks and there is absolutely no way that they might have become lose.


As mentioned before, I opt for the optical bay, especially in case that the OP has mechanical hard drives mounted there.

[WardC]

I have a 2009 2.93GHz Quad Core Mac Pro that is making a very faint but audible "rattling noise". It's very annoying, and I have had to move my machine to the floor just so I don't hear it. It comes and goes about every 45 seconds to one minute, and lasts about 5 seconds each time. I have recorded the sound as an MP3, so you can hear it. You can clearly hear it's a "rattle." I believe it's coming from the lower intake fan on the front of the unit.

Listen to this. Turn your speakers up to hear it:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle.mp3

Let me know if this sounds anything like yours. It's definitely a "rattle" and not a "buzz". It sounds like a loose ball bearing in one of the fans.

[nanofrog]

I have a 2009 2.93GHz Quad Core Mac Pro that is making a very faint but audible "rattling noise". It's very annoying, and I have had to move my machine to the floor just so I don't hear it. It comes and goes about every 45 seconds to one minute, and lasts about 5 seconds each time. I have recorded the sound as an MP3, so you can hear it. You can clearly hear it's a "rattle." I believe it's coming from the lower intake fan on the front of the unit.

Listen to this. Turn your speakers up to hear it:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle.mp3

Let me know if this sounds anything like yours. It's definitely a "rattle" and not a "buzz". It sounds like a loose ball bearing in one of the fans.
I hear a grinding (bearing or bushing) and thwap-thwap-thwap... type of sound (fan blade hitting the frame I think).

Where is it coming from?

I ask, as it seems they changed the fan in the PCIe slot area according to the P/N's between the 09 and 10 systems. So I'm thinking it's a combination of a supplier and specification (airflow) change as a means of getting a cheaper replacement. Going from ball bearing (or fluid,... bearings) to bronze bushing based motors would definitely lower the cost, and would be more prone to noises like what you're hearing.

[WardC]

I want you to get a listen to this...I stuck my iPhone in my Mac Pro and recorded the sound again, this time I captured the sound alot better and you can hear the intermittence between "rattles". It's about a one minute long sound file, and you hear FOUR times in one minute, so about every 15 seconds it rattles for 5 seconds. Here is the audio file. You can here it LOUD this time:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle2.mp3

[nanofrog]

I want you to get a listen to this...I stuck my iPhone in my Mac Pro and recorded the sound again, this time I captured the sound alot better and you can hear the intermittence between "rattles". It's about a one minute long sound file, and you hear FOUR times in one minute, so about every 15 seconds it rattles for 5 seconds. Here is the audio file. You can here it LOUD this time:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle2.mp3
It still sounds like a fan to me, but what I don't know, is which one it is.

[WardC]

I have determined the culprit was the heatsink fan, the "BOOSTA" fan on my single-processor Mac Pro. I have fixed the situation for now, it's not making the noise anymore.

What I did: Used SMCFanControl, set "BOOSTA" to 4000rpm and ran that fan on high for one minute. Set it back to lowest setting...I think the fan had never been run on high before, and somehow this has fixed the problem...I am going to post this over in the other thread too so hopefully this can help somebody.

[Desmo1098]

My noise has been fixed. My machine is whisper quiet! I am so happy!:)

They fan located in the CPU heat sink was the problem. I can understand Apple wanting to follow protocol and go through these 48 hour stress tests and all, but sometimes you got to trust the customer. I am glad they did. They placed an order for spare parts to replace all the system fans without me bringing the machine in. That was very generous of them. I told them specifically which fan I though was the problem and requested only that fan be changed. They said "OK" and they did it and the problem is gone.

I also tried what another forum member said in using SMCfancontrol to check the BOOSTA fan. I could follow the noise to BOOSTA fan located in the CPU heatsink, the only problem mine did not go away after leaving it at 4000 rpm for several minutes.

I love :apple:

What else can you ask for?

[WardC]

Yes, my noise is back now :-( The SMCFanControl fix did not work.

[Desmo1098]

@WardC

Are you familiar with the in's and out's of your Mac Pro? If you are comfortable enough with taking the side panel off while the machine is running, can you hear the noise coming from the CPU heat sink fan? See my attached photo? If so, arrange a service call with your local Apple Store and be persistent that something is going on with that fan. Does it sound like it is coming from where my pictures shows?

[ekwipt]

I have determined the culprit was the heatsink fan, the "BOOSTA" fan on my single-processor Mac Pro. I have fixed the situation for now, it's not making the noise anymore.

What I did: Used SMCFanControl, set "BOOSTA" to 4000rpm and ran that fan on high for one minute. Set it back to lowest setting...I think the fan had never been run on high before, and somehow this has fixed the problem...I am going to post this over in the other thread too so hopefully this can help somebody.

I did that as a test one day, my room filled with dust in the air...not good

[2contagious]

My Mac Pro seems to have a lot of vibration going on. I got some coming from the intake fan and possible some other vibration. Not sure how to address this problem when I go in for my PSU replacement (mine buzzes) on Wednesday.

Desmo1098, were they able to replace JUST the CPU fan or did they have to replace the whole CPU/RAM tray? :/

[Desmo1098]

@ 2contagious

They replaced just the heat sink, which had the fan built-in. There was no need to replace the CPU/RAM tray. I confirmed that they would also check the thermal paste and the verified that they would.

My advice would be to document your concerns on paper. Be prepared to offer a structured and compelling argument. Take detailed pictures of the fan or fans that you are concerned with or are in question.

I am not sure how far the local Apple Store is from where you live, but here is what I would recommend. Complete the check list I mentioned in paragraph 2. When the check list and inspection from your side is complete print everything out, including pictures, and go to the Apple Store. Ask to speak directly to the manager. Tell him you have some concerns with your Mac Pro and use the evidence you gathered from paragraph 2. In addition tell him you did not think it was necessary to drag the Mac Pro all the way down to have the Genius team check it out and that you were 100% certain that these were the parts that need replacing. Tell him that you would do it yourself, but Apple handcuffs you from access to their spare part system and you are forced to work directly with Apple. You can back that claim up by telling him you use your machine to make money and cannot be without it for more than a day; and wether it is true or not is up to you, but it was in my case. Be cool and control the flow of the conversation, just state the facts from your side and then let him respond. More likely than not, he will oblige. If he does not, be prepared to remind him you just spent over $4000 on a Mac Pro.

Now that you have negotiated a repair based on your terms be prepared to hand your Mac Pro over to the Apple Store. I am neurotic about my Mac Pro, and I am sure you are to. Therefore, when you hand it over to the technician, kindly tell him, and you can even do it jokingly, that this machine is your baby and that you would appreciate that they handle it with care. The cool thing is they will laugh but take you serious. In addition, before you hand the machine over, ask them to verify the parts they ordered by bringing them out and then remove the side panel and make an agreement that you are on the same page about what parts are being exchanged.

If you have any other questions let me know and I hope that helps.


Edit: Sorry I missed the part that you were going in on Wednesday. Is that next week Wednesday? If so, you stil have time to complete paragraph 2. Apple Store are able to get spare parts from their distribution center usually within 24-48 hours. So worse case, now that it is the weekend, the parts get ordered Monday for delivery by Wednesday. And now that I am typing this I see you are in the U.K., okay then... I would still use the same approach. The customer service environment from Apple is a corporate thing that they drill down from Cupertino, so I would feel confident that whatever you experience in the US, you will experience in the UK, Asia, etc.

[WardC]

That second file I posted of the sound:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle2.mp3

...was taken with the recording device mic right next to the CPU heatsink fan. You can hear the sound is alot louder than the sound taken from in front of the grille next to the front inatake fan. That's why I think it's heatsink fan.

Here is a recording I took today. Right next to the Heatsink fan. You can tell the rattle is very annoying, and very loud:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle3.mp3

Even better yet, listen to THIS. This crap is getting LOUD:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle4.mp3

Today, the sound is getting louder and worse. It is that flimsy sputter sound that is very annoying, and it comes and goes every few seconds.

I am thinking about just buying a new heatsink online and replacing it myself.

[johnnymg]

Even better yet, listen to THIS. This crap is getting LOUD:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle4.mp3

Today, the sound is getting louder and worse. It is that flimsy sputter sound that is very annoying, and it comes and goes every few seconds.

I am thinking about just buying a new heatsink online and replacing it myself.

Sounds like a bad bearing. :(

If you're going to replace it yourself. Perhaps you could jimmy-up a 120mm fan. ???

[WardC]

Sounds like a bad bearing. :(

If you're going to replace it yourself. Perhaps you could jimmy-up a 120mm fan. ???

I am probably going to buy a replacement heatsink from applecomponents.com

The part is $89.00, and it will require that I carefully take the old heatsink off and apply new thermal paste to the processor. I think this is what I am going to do.

I have just about 100% completely determined that the sound is coming from the heatsink fan, Those last recordings were from my iPhone placed inside my Mac Pro running right next to the side of the heatsink. The rattle is getting louder now and more frequent. I could not sell this Mac Pro with it making this noise, and I have to keep my Mac Pro on the floor now just to keep the audible noise at a bearable level. The putter-putter sputtering flippy sound that is makes is super annoying, and I think replacing the heatsink is my only option now.

I just don't want to leave my Mac Pro with Apple for a period of DAYS while they have to order parts and do the replacement, this could take several days to over a week, plus I don't want to haul a 50 lb. machine to my Apple Store. Just not worth it when I can get the part for $89.00 and do the install myself in no time flat.

So this is my plan. I'm probably going to order the heatsink tomorrow. I just hopes this works out and solves the problem.

[dissolve]

I am probably going to buy a replacement heatsink from applecomponents.com

The part is $89.00, and it will require that I carefully take the old heatsink off and apply new thermal paste to the processor. I think this is what I am going to do.

I have just about 100% completely determined that the sound is coming from the heatsink fan, Those last recordings were from my iPhone placed inside my Mac Pro running right next to the side of the heatsink. The rattle is getting louder now and more frequent. I could not sell this Mac Pro with it making this noise, and I have to keep my Mac Pro on the floor now just to keep the audible noise at a bearable level. The putter-putter sputtering flippy sound that is makes is super annoying, and I think replacing the heatsink is my only option now.

I just don't want to leave my Mac Pro with Apple for a period of DAYS while they have to order parts and do the replacement, this could take several days to over a week, plus I don't want to haul a 50 lb. machine to my Apple Store. Just not worth it when I can get the part for $89.00 and do the install myself in no time flat.

So this is my plan. I'm probably going to order the heatsink tomorrow. I just hopes this works out and solves the problem.

Just a note about taking it to Apple. I took mine in for a replacement PSU on Friday and got my machine back on Tuesday (or Monday, can't remember for sure). Some people have had luck calling them and convincing them of your problem over the phone so that they preorder the part for you. Just an idea if you are still under AppleCare and want to save the $90. If not, good luck with your new heatsink :)

[WardC]

The heatsink, the 3mm 9" hex wrench, and the thermal paste are ordered...I am set now. Just have to wait until the end of the week for everything to come in, then I will be ready to install my new heatsink.

I hope this fixes the problem...

[peskaa]

Well, bit the bullet and took my MP to the Apple Store in Aberdeen. They took the easy route and replaced all my fan units, and the rattling/buzzing sound is now gone. Their best guess was a worn bearing.

[dissolve]

Well, bit the bullet and took my MP to the Apple Store in Aberdeen. They took the easy route and replaced all my fan units, and the rattling/buzzing sound is now gone. Their best guess was a worn bearing.

Glad to hear you got yours sorted out :)