I noticed the fan in my 2017 iMac was running fast (3000 rpm). I realized there was probably a mess of dust inside. So I shut it down and ran my vacuum along the bottom of the screen where the air intake is. I definitely heard some, I'll call it "flupping", meaning the dust bunnies were on the move. The fan is running at 1200 rpm now. I cursed Jony Ive in the past for not making the screen easily removable, like with screws, but at least this is a partial solution. At some point I'm going to have to slice the tape and give it a good cleaning but so far, so good.
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Cleaning (inside) an iMac
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I do this with my Macs, and when I have them open, just do a good cleaning with an air compressor.
By far, the dirtiest Mac I have is my Mac Pro 1,1. I think that one builds more dust up in it over a 6 month period than my iMac's first cleaning after 8 years.
I clean it out about once every 6 months or so, and always outside my home.
At least it is easy to dismantle it.
By far, the dirtiest Mac I have is my Mac Pro 1,1. I think that one builds more dust up in it over a 6 month period than my iMac's first cleaning after 8 years.
I clean it out about once every 6 months or so, and always outside my home.
At least it is easy to dismantle it.
I opened up my old 27" iMac a couple years ago to replace a dying Fusion Drive. It's not a fun or easy process. I'd do it only as a last resort. And if there are any upgrades you want to make to the storage, I'd take advantage of it being open to do it at the same time.
If I remember correctly, the cooling system inside iMacs is largely self contained, so some vacuuming and compressed air should be all you need to keep it happy. Cutting the tape (and reinstalling it) is a pain like ignatius said, so I wouldn’t worry about doing any kind of deep cleaning on the inside unless you’re already in there for hard drive upgrades or whatever.
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Right. The only problem is the fan. Vacuuming probably wouldn't clean the blades. Dust on the leading edges of the blades can cut efficiency down about 30%. I regularly clean the blades of my room fan and the difference is amazing.
Yup, vacuuming would help improve cooling, but the air speed isn't enough for the fan blades.
I use my air compressor, and shoot it with air. There is so much dust that comes off of the fan blades, that vacuuming just misses.
Well it seems to be stable now at approx 130F and 1200 rpm. I looked over the opening procedure and it looks simple enough. I even have the "pizza cutter" tool. I just have to decide if it's worth the trouble at this point. AFAIK, there's no way to get to the fan without opening it.
My late-2014 iMac 27" had considerable dust buildup and a year or two ago I very carefully vacuumed it out (to the best I could do from the bottom vents). Haven't checked it since, but I recall reading advice to be very cautious in vacuuming so that you do not create static electricity and damage internal components.
I would not try to open up the iMac myself, far too difficult and delicate for my own taste!
I would not try to open up the iMac myself, far too difficult and delicate for my own taste!
Easy enough to do, just buy the adhesive kit, tools and compressed air.
Remove the screen assembly and fan to clean then re assemble.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+27-Inch+2017+Fan+Replacement/136949
Remove the screen assembly and fan to clean then re assemble.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+27-Inch+2017+Fan+Replacement/136949
When I did it I heard some sizable "bunnies" come out. I'm working up the courage to slice it open and do some real cleaning. I have the tool and the tape.
Getting inside one of these things isn't as hard as it sounds; daunting, definitely, but working slowly and methodically is key.
The first 27" I opened was a Late 2013 that had previously been owned by a heavy smoker so those "bunnies" were more like slightly damp tobacco. I reckon I must have spent a good 2 or 3 hours cleaning before I even considered doing any upgrades.
The maglev fan in the iMacs is a very cool thing to see though, almost worth stripping it down to see that alone. The design allows it to be carefully prised open so you can wash the fan blades in hot soapy water
Clean!
The first 27" I opened was a Late 2013 that had previously been owned by a heavy smoker so those "bunnies" were more like slightly damp tobacco. I reckon I must have spent a good 2 or 3 hours cleaning before I even considered doing any upgrades.
The maglev fan in the iMacs is a very cool thing to see though, almost worth stripping it down to see that alone. The design allows it to be carefully prised open so you can wash the fan blades in hot soapy water
Clean!Attachments
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Thanks for the pics. They'll be a big help. Even though I've repaired things like defibrillators and IV pumps I always get more nervous when I'm fixing my own stuff.Getting inside one of these things isn't as hard as it sounds; daunting, definitely, but working slowly and methodically is key.
The first 27" I opened was a Late 2013 that had previously been owned by a heavy smoker so those "bunnies" were more like slightly damp tobacco. I reckon I must have spent a good 2 or 3 hours cleaning before I even considered doing any upgrades.
The maglev fan in the iMacs is a very cool thing to see though, almost worth stripping it down to see that alone. The design allows it to be carefully prised open so you can wash the fan blades in hot soapy water
I didn't know about the fan. Cool design.
Amster:
Great work in the pics you posted above.
But...
Realize that not everyone -- indeed, relatively few -- have the skills to do a job as well as you did, and get it all back together and running again.
Great work in the pics you posted above.
But...
Realize that not everyone -- indeed, relatively few -- have the skills to do a job as well as you did, and get it all back together and running again.
Understood. I wasn't sure I could do it the first time but I wasn't risking too much (Late 2012 21.5") when I did.
I'm certainly not brave enough to try this type of upgrade on an iMac I'd just purchased brand new, as some have.
Totally agree.
I've seen a few dozen iMacs with un-repairable cracked glass after such internal cleaning and upgrading attempts.