iMac G4 thermal pipe issue

[Wild Geese]

I recently took apart my 15'' iMac G4 in order to clean out dust and repaste the heatsinks, but I inadvertently caused a serious issue while repasting. I saw a YouTube video that involved removing the bracket holding the heat pipe over the processor in order to repaste the processor, but not only was it unnecessary as the paste over the processor was still liquid, but I seem to have damaged the bracket. It will not stay in the two slots in the logic board holding it in place for more than a few minutes. I assumed the bracket would be permanently held in place when the computer was reassembled, but shortly after rebooting I smelled a burning plastic odor. I shut down the computer and saw that the bracket had fallen off and the new thermal paste over the processor was now brown. I've tried bending the bracket in various ways to get it to stay in the slots securely again but nothing seems to work. I don't know how to fix this short of buying a new logic board or replacing the iMac entirely, as it does not seem that there is even a part number for the bracket in the service manual.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[AphoticD]

I recently took apart my 15'' iMac G4 in order to clean out dust and repaste the heatsinks, but I inadvertently caused a serious issue while repasting. I saw a YouTube video that involved removing the bracket holding the heat pipe over the processor in order to repaste the processor, but not only was it unnecessary as the paste over the processor was still liquid, but I seem to have damaged the bracket. It will not stay in the two slots in the logic board holding it in place for more than a few minutes. I assumed the bracket would be permanently held in place when the computer was reassembled, but shortly after rebooting I smelled a burning plastic odor. I shut down the computer and saw that the bracket had fallen off and the new thermal paste over the processor was now brown. I've tried bending the bracket in various ways to get it to stay in the slots securely again but nothing seems to work. I don't know how to fix this short of buying a new logic board or replacing the iMac entirely, as it does not seem that there is even a part number for the bracket in the service manual.

Any help is much appreciated.

Is this the bracket over the heat pipe?

Is it not possible to bend the clips back in again (with a pair of pliers) to give it enough tension to hold the heatsink down?

 

[CooperBox]

I'd like to assist here, but away from home and my iMacs until the New Year.
Trying to visualize the problem, is it not possible that the feature with slots on the motherboard has become worn (slot elongated/enlarged?) allowing the heatsink strap to not seat correctly?
If this should be the case, one possible solution may be to rebuild the attachment feature on the motherboard with an epoxy, and reprofile it to allow positive locking of the strap when refitted.
Failing that I will review the area physically when I get the next opportunity.

 

[Wild Geese]

Per Aphotic's suggestion I fiddled around with the bracket again and managed to bend it in a way that appears to be holding. The iMac is now reassembled and powered on, and there's no burning smell or other indication that that bracket is loose. Thanks Aphotic!

 

[AphoticD]

Per Aphotic's suggestion I fiddled around with the bracket again and managed to bend it in a way that appears to be holding. The iMac is now reassembled and powered on, and there's no burning smell or other indication that that bracket is loose. Thanks Aphotic!

Nicely done. Burning smells are never a good sign!