Macbook Pro [Fall 2006] Fan Issue

[DJAKO]

I have a Macbook Pro I got around October of 2006. A few months ago I noticed the left fan was making a really loud noise.

It's still running at the normal rpm around 2,000; but, it's loud now, almost a clicking type noise. When I put pressure on the underside of the laptop the noise stops and the rpm goes down to 0. Must be the fan making contact with something then I suppose?

Any suggestions, should I take it apart and look inside? This noise only happens once in a while too.

 

[kolax]

Yep - sounds like something might be caught in it or crud and dust clogging it.

If you are out with your guarantee, then you might as well give the fans a clean.

 

[DJAKO]

Yep - sounds like something might be caught in it or crud and dust clogging it.

If you are out with your guarantee, then you might as well give the fans a clean.

Are they easy to access? Is it a matter of just taking the back panel off?

 

[milk242]

why don't you try a can of compressed air first before you open it up

 

[kolax]

Are they easy to access? Is it a matter of just taking the back panel off?

No, the front panel (keyboard etc) lifts up.

Unlike the unibody MacBook Pro's, the fans on the previous generations are located on the top, not the bottom.

 

[DJAKO]

why don't you try a can of compressed air first before you open it up

Compressed air where? The fans aren't visible

 

[kolax]

why don't you try a can of compressed air first before you open it up

Compressed air is just going to blow any dust around, not remove it.

You'd want the thin attachment for a vacuum cleaner and suck any dust and crud away.