Safe running on only one fan temporarily?

[AlphaDogg]

One of the fans in my 15" MBP was running kind of loud, so I took the computer apart and pulled out the offending fan. I tried pulling the fins off of the motor to lubricate the pin on which the fins rotate, but I broke the fins in doing so. I ordered a new set (both fans) off of ebay and I'll have them within the week. In the meantime, I've installed SMCfancontrol so I can ramp up the fan to 6200RPM until I get the new fans in there. I'm wondering if this is safe to do? Keep in mind the 9600M GT's in these machines are bound to fail. Running the fans at 6200RPM, the computer is actually 15ºF cooler than it was running at 2000RPM with two fans.

Here's the broken fan:

You can see where the pin joined the plastic, the plastic just broke.

 

[A Hebrew]

Nothing bad should happen, it'll shut off before it overheats.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Nothing bad should happen, it'll shut off before it overheats.

I know that, but I'm worried about the 9600M GT because it won't cause the computer to shut down. The computer will only shut down when the CPU hits 110ºC, but I'm worried that the point at which the computer will shut off is higher than the point at which damage will start to set in on the 9600M GT.

 

[calderone]

I think you know the answer, but of you want to use it, do t do anything graphically intense.

 

[bill-p]

Or alternatively, just use gfxCardStatus to force the 9600M GT to turn off and use the 9400M instead until your fan arrives.

I don't think it'll produce any heat when it's turned off.

 

[ezramoore]

You don't say which MBP you have, but in most Apple products if there is more than one fan, they cool different things, rather than just doubling up on cooling capacity.

Don't do it.

P.S. You cannot lubricate fans like the ones found in computers, they are closed systems.

 

[maflynn]

Let me say that apple put two fans into the laptop for a reason. Will it run on a single fan, sure but apple isn't about to extra fans in for giggles, its there because its needed. I'd not doing anything intensive because the air flow has been impacted greatly be the removal of the fan.

I'd look on google for a fan replacement.

 

[Queen6]

I ran an Early 2008 15" MBP for about 4-5 months on one fan and it survived with no problems, with it running 24/7

On the temp control try ultraFan it will only spool up the fans once the temp passes a predetermined value, so you can keep the computer cooler and save on the fan wear and tear.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=16346518&posted=1#post16346518

 

[Brian Y]

Install GFXCard status and put it on "integrated graphics only" mode. This will stop the 9600M problem, and will run it from the integrated 9400M .

But Id highly recommend getting a second fan as soon as possible, and not using it for anything intensive in the mean time.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Or alternatively, just use gfxCardStatus to force the 9600M GT to turn off and use the 9400M instead until your fan arrives.

I don't think it'll produce any heat when it's turned off.

Install GFXCard status and put it on "integrated graphics only" mode. This will stop the 9600M problem, and will run it from the integrated 9400M .

But Id highly recommend getting a second fan as soon as possible, and not using it for anything intensive in the mean time.

I set energy saver to do this (look at the graphics part):

Isn't that the same thing?

You don't say which MBP you have, but in most Apple products if there is more than one fan, they cool different things, rather than just doubling up on cooling capacity.

Don't do it.

P.S. You cannot lubricate fans like the ones found in computers, they are closed systems.

I reapplied thermal paste in this MBP the day after I got it (Friday). The heatsink has two parts which allow the two fans to pass air through it. It's one heatsink with two heatpipes running on each chip (9400M, 9600M GT, CPU), so having two fans just doubles up on its cooling capacity. Everyone else was able to figure out which MBP I have from my signature, why couldn't you? Also, I was able to lubricate the right fan, so don't tell me they're closed systems.

Let me say that apple put two fans into the laptop for a reason. Will it run on a single fan, sure but apple isn't about to extra fans in for giggles, its there because its needed. I'd not doing anything intensive because the air flow has been impacted greatly be the removal of the fan.

I'd look on google for a fan replacement.

I'm not sure if you saw, but I mentioned that I have two new fans on order and I'll have them by the end of the week.

I ran an Early 2008 15" MBP for about 4-5 months on one fan and it survived with no problems, with it running 24/7

On the temp control try ultraFan it will only spool up the fans once the temp passes a predetermined value, so you can keep the computer cooler and save on the fan wear and tear.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=16346518&posted=1#post16346518

Thanks. Your post gives me confidence that nothing bad will happen. And iirc, those early 2008 15" MBP's also had the 9600M GT.

 

[justperry]

I use this next to my powerbook, yes it help, I am not joking, but I am in a hot climate.
Without 60-64 celsius
With 50-54 celsius

Sorry for the big image, can't find a smaller one.
Edit: 6" fan, paid about 4 Euro's for it.

 

[bill-p]

I set energy saver to do this (look at the graphics part):
Image
Isn't that the same thing?

No. You must use gfxCardStatus if you want to disable the dedicated graphics on any 15" MacBook.

Also the latest version of gfxCardStatus may switch back to dGPU with certain apps, so make sure you don't run anything more intensive than Safari, Mail, etc...