MBA fans loud as a copter

[andrewp]

The problem occurred a few weeks ago when I heard a spinning noise at the back on my revB. However it wasn't that loud and after a single tap on the back it was removed.

However since yesterday my MBA has gone crazy, even at 2000rpm it's way louder than it used to be at 6200. So at 6200 it's like standing next to a wasp nest.

I'm thinking of opening it up with my screwdriver to see whether something is in the way, but how does this stick with the warranty?

[NC MacGuy]

The problem occurred a few weeks ago when I heard a spinning noise at the back on my revB. However it wasn't that loud and after a single tap on the back it was removed.

However since yesterday my MBA has gone crazy, even at 2000rpm it's way louder than it used to be at 6200. So at 6200 it's like standing next to a wasp nest.

I'm thinking of opening it up with my screwdriver to see whether something is in the way, but how does this stick with the warranty?

There's no seal or anything to be broken showing MBA disassembly. Caveat is you need to put it back like you found it. The screws need the proper screwdriver and don't torque them too hard or you may strip the threads on the receiving end. It won't void your warranty as long as you take care. Make sure you keep track of what screws go where, it's kind of important.

The fan may have something it picked up sucking in lodged in it and when it turns, the blades will make noise - kind of like the baseball cards I used to clothespin to the wheel of my bicycle to make it sound like a motorcycle.:)

They do get dirty w. dust and junk pretty easily and I clean mine every couple of months (or when I get bored.)

Good luck.

[SFStateStudent]

OK, just take it to the nearest Apple Store, b/c that could be more serious than you think. What if it's a piece of metal or a screw? :eek:

[andrewp]

ye I think that I'm going to do so. By opening it up yesterday I figured out that it was the GPU making the noise...And since it's sealed I dared not touch it ;)

[NC MacGuy]

ye I think that I'm going to do so. By opening it up yesterday I figured out that it was the GPU making the noise...And since it's sealed I dared not touch it ;)

How do you know it's the GPU? The CPU & GPU are both under the heatsink so without removing it, it could be either. Strange it would make a noise that's related to fan speed. Actually, it's strange it would make any kind of low freq. audio noise at all.

[justit]

... Actually, it's strange it would make any kind of low freq. audio noise at all.

Hey NC, didn't you once get your fan replaced?

The fan is cheap. I agree that at 2K is should be inaudible, which means either a bad speed sensor or bad fan.

Just a guess, are you using Fan Control to manage your MBA, maybe at unsafe levels?

[saber87ffo]

couple weeks ago it started to make louder sounds then usual and when I set up that the back of the notebook is higher than the front the sounds stoped, first weird thing. It stoped doing it though. But now when it runs a while it starts making weird sounds, the hole mba is vibrating and the sounds are kinda like NC described, a baseballcard hold into a bicycle wheel, but not continuesly they change sometimes its constant and sometimes it's like a alarm. going up and down. I ignored it just now to find information about it here and now it stopped, pretty weird and I don't know whats wrong...

Please help me

[harry454]

check using smc fan control at what speed they are at and the temp

[Turmoil]

couple weeks ago it started to make louder sounds then usual and when I set up that the back of the notebook is higher than the front the sounds stoped, first weird thing. It stoped doing it though. But now when it runs a while it starts making weird sounds, the hole mba is vibrating and the sounds are kinda like NC described, a baseballcard hold into a bicycle wheel, but not continuesly they change sometimes its constant and sometimes it's like a alarm. going up and down. I ignored it just now to find information about it here and now it stopped, pretty weird and I don't know whats wrong...

Please help me

If my precous Air made all that noise, I would be at the Apple Store in a heartbeat :-)

[saber87ffo]

It's been good the last couple hours, and there is no apple store close by, and I have still like 20 month warranty left, plus I need it really bad right now I opened it up this morning and cleaned the dust out so I hope this will do it for now

[kinkster]

Mine aren't load they just don't seem to blow any air out the back..

It doesn't cause any issues, just observing. rev a