Repair your computer fan while it is still in the computer

Paul B · Jan 18, 2016

I had to perform surgery to my computer fan while it was still in the computer. This little fan was making a racket. I pulled the computer apart but this fan is in a part of the computer that doesn't lend itself to be taken apart without taking apart the entire guts and I didn't want to get into that if I didn't have to. I also tried to order that fan, but it seems it is un-available. (I changed the CPU fan while I was in there. I didn't have an exact match, but retrofitted a different one)
To repair this tiny fan, I first cut away the grill to expose the fan center. Then I peeled back the paper label to reveal the red dust cover plug. After removing that I put one drop of light machine oil on the fan shaft. Now it is as quiet as a hermit crab just after shedding his shell while he is sitting in a sound proof room, underground in Tibet.

143MPCo · Jan 18, 2016

that looks like the PS fan on an inspiron 660s?

Paul B · Jan 18, 2016

Could you tell by the [HASHTAG]#660[/HASHTAG] printed on the case?

The fan kept slowing down and almost stopping, then doing a little dance like the macarana, then start up again. Works fine now.

143MPCo · Jan 18, 2016

Paul B said:
Could you tell by the [HASHTAG]#660[/HASHTAG] printed on the case?

somewhat true, yes!

This system is designed to support a power supply of input voltage of 100-127 VAC/200-240 VAC. Now if the power supply unit fan has to be replaced the whole power supply unit has to be replaced since it does not come up as a separate part.

Is this PSU a standard ITX type 220W?

IF you ever need to replace it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/121278068293?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

143MPCo · Jan 18, 2016

BTW, nice fix!
Can't tell you how many PSU I've replaced over the yrs with this same issue.

Paul B · Jan 18, 2016

There is no need to replace the power supply just because of the fan. If this fix did not work, I would have cut the fan wire through the back of the case and just attached a new fan to the outside of the computer case. If I really wanted to get creative, I would have also cut the supports that hold the fan inside the housing and removed that just like an appendectomy. There are many ways to do this. The CPU fan I put in wasn't even close to fitting and as a matter of fact was round and the original was square. I kind of specialize in re-designing parts for cars boats etc and can "usually", but not always get something working using completely different parts.