Thinkpads Forum

Really want to replace the thermal paste and ailing fan.
I didn't really want a whole new assembly but I've had problems replacing only fans
on laptops before and don't want to get into those problems. It maybe simpler to
get the whole assembly.

I believe FRU is FRU 42W2821 for a T7500 -- 8897CTO (14.1" standard)

Can anyone point me to a source for this or do I just go to ebay and look?
While I've done hundreds of laptop repairs, it's uncharted territory for this type of lenovo repair.
I'm not sure what you get with the part(s). What I don't have is the "thermal pad" that I've seen
referenced in various 'how to's' on the Internet. I guess that's something that will come with the part.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

with Thinkpad products replacing the fan is not always the best idea, we are a lenovo bisness partner we can get you the original part for for 70

EAkamai wrote:Really want to replace the thermal paste and ailing fan.
I didn't really want a whole new assembly but I've had problems replacing only fans
on laptops before and don't want to get into those problems. It maybe simpler to
get the whole assembly.

I believe FRU is FRU 42W2821 for a T7500 -- 8897CTO (14.1" standard)

Can anyone point me to a source for this or do I just go to ebay and look?
While I've done hundreds of laptop repairs, it's uncharted territory for this type of lenovo repair.
I'm not sure what you get with the part(s). What I don't have is the "thermal pad" that I've seen
referenced in various 'how to's' on the Internet. I guess that's something that will come with the part.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Contact TuuS.

He likely knows everything a single human being is capable of knowing about T61/p range. Might have the part that you're looking for as well..

Good luck.

al.ava wrote:with Thinkpad products replacing the fan is not always the best idea, we are a lenovo bisness partner we can get you the original part for for 70

Curious why replacing the fan is a concern?

thanks,

Bruce

The part number depends on what graphics chip you have. If you have the Intel GMA X3100 you need the 42W2821. When the fan on my T61 became loud, i lubricated it. The problem with lubricating the fan yourself is that one doesn't really know what type of lubricant one needs. If the sliding bearing is made of sintered metal, i suppose oil would be the best choice. If the bearing is made of massive metal, i guess grease would be better. I used three drops of sewing machine oil seven months ago and don't have the slightest idea how long it will last. To be able to lubricate the fan, one needs to peel off some aluminum foil. It's not that difficult, as the foil is thick and flexible.

If you want to buy a fan assembly, you can buy from IBM or ebay. I believe IBM charges US$ 64.50 + tax and freight. To order from IBM, go to
http://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/we ... &langId=-1

On ebay, they seem to sell just the fan without the heat sink for less than US$ 10. They also sell heatsink and fan together on ebay.

If you have the Intel GMA X3100 on a 8897, you don't need a thermal pad. The heatsink is in contact with two chips, the processor and what i believe is the northbridge/graphics chip. You use thermal grease for both chips. I used a thermal compound called Keratherm KP 12. It comes in a syringe which has a scale, so it's fairly easy to apply the right amount of paste.

al.ava just wants to flog parts

brucehe wrote:Curious why replacing the fan is a concern?

When the lubricant has been used up, the fan gets loud.

I forgot to mention that the T61 Hardware Maintenance Manual has detailed instructions on replacing the thermal device and fan:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/guides- ... D=UM001177

Contact TuuS.

He likely knows everything a single human being is capable of knowing about T61/p range. Might have the part that you're looking for as well..

Good luck.[/quote]

Plus one on TuuS. I had thermal issues on my T61p and tried everything. I ordered a T61p fan heatsink combo form TuuS, threw it in and now I can't make it over heat. Before, I could only run Prime95 for about 4 minutes before it would just shut down. That doesn't do it the experience justice. The OS would just vanish without a trace; no error message; no Event Log Entry, nothing.

Now I can run Prime 95, run an HD Movie in a WMP window, and watch a streaming video (Flash) online, have ten website windows open in Firefox, all at the same time and it is rock solid. The unit I replaced looked pristine and turned freely but it is clear in hindsight that it just wasn't turning on or speeding up at all.

TTY wrote:I forgot to mention that the T61 Hardware Maintenance Manual has detailed instructions on replacing the thermal device and fan:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/guides- ... D=UM001177

Don't forget the FRU replacement videos and DVD:

http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... index.html
http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... 61_T61.iso

I'd be glad to help if you still need the assembly, the discrete T61p fan is $25, the intel integrated fan is $15. Many people like to use the discrete fan even on the intel boards because it uses two heatpipes on the cpu, but in most cases it's overkill. For example, I recently built a custom T61 with intel graphics, a T9300 cpu which is one of the fastest chips and a T61p fan and under light use the fan wouldn't even need to run.

However replacing only the fan is a viable option, as long as your heatsink is working properly there is no need to replace it. The fan motor itself can be purchased very cheap. I think the last one I bought was $12 shipped. I don't have any to offer, but there is no shortage of them on websites like ebay.

TTY wrote:If you have the Intel GMA X3100 on a 8897, you don't need a thermal pad. The heatsink is in contact with two chips, the processor and what i believe is the northbridge/graphics chip. You use thermal grease for both chips. I used a thermal compound called Keratherm KP 12. It comes in a syringe which has a scale, so it's fairly easy to apply the right amount of paste.

Wow, priceless info and very much appreciated! Yes, it's the GMA X3100 and not sure about the lube... in over 25 years of IT work, i've actually never gone there.

I just thought it a waste to change the entire assembly for an ailing fan. Plus we're so broke we can't pay attention.
I've used the MX series from Arctic Cooling and had literally STUNNING results. I'll probably use MX-4 which i haven't tried yet.

Can't thank you enough for your help and input!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TTY wrote:I forgot to mention that the T61 Hardware Maintenance Manual has detailed instructions on replacing the thermal device and fan:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/guides- ... D=UM001177

I believe i have that manual, but i thank you for posting this link to be sure.

Thanks again TTY and everyone else who input info here!

P.S. I keep this lappy pristine as possible and blow it out often. I just blew it out again and it seems quieter.
I use a small shop vac that is perfect for this. Nevertheless, this is such an amazing little workhorse
that i don't want to take chances.

TuuS wrote:I'd be glad to help if you still need the assembly, the discrete T61p fan is $25, the intel integrated fan is $15. Many people like to use the discrete fan even on the intel boards because it uses two heatpipes on the cpu, but in most cases it's overkill.

Howdy TuuS! I think we'll take you up on that. I'm intrigued by using the discrete on this 3100 unit
as i didn't think you could do that. Used this in LE work and it has been through war. . . kept in pristine shape nevertheless.

How could we proceed with that?

Thanks for your invaluable and precious input!

Radioguy wrote:Don't forget the FRU replacement videos and DVD:

http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... index.html
http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... 61_T61.iso

Thank you very much!
All i was able to find was some on youtube.

EAkamai wrote: Howdy TuuS! I think we'll take you up on that. I'm intrigued by using the discrete on this 3100 unit
as i didn't think you could do that. Used this in LE work and it has been through war. . . kept in pristine shape nevertheless.

How could we proceed with that?

Thanks for your invaluable and precious input!

I've sent you a PM with some details and questions and we can arrange for shipment whenever you're ready. The discrete T61p fan uses a grey pad for cooling the boards chipset, but since your board has the gpu integrated with this chip you'd want to remove the pad and use some good thermal paste, Arctic Silver #5 is my choice and I find it cools much better then the ceramic paste that the lenovo factory fan uses. I recommend you fit the assembly dry first to assure you have a good fit and that the platform seats flush on your integrated intel gpu without any gap. This can easily be adjusted if necessary. The cooling platform for the nVidia gpu will hover harmlessly over the empty spot on your board since it's not needed. The cpu platform will be cooled by two heatpipes instead of one on the integrated fan. This fan would be ideal for a system used in extreme conditions where extra cooling is needed, but in most cases the integrated fan is more then enough.

When you're ready to order one you can reply to the private message I sent you this morning and I'll get it out to you asap.

Radioguy wrote:
Don't forget the FRU replacement videos and DVD:

http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... index.html
http://service.lenovo.partner-managemen ... 61_T61.iso

There- not ignored anymore. Right as rain now

Not ignored = beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Radioguy wrote:Not ignored = beginning of a beautiful relationship.

lololol ur too much for me sparky!

Have a great weekend! Do not want this thread to veer off course!

Yes, back OT!

(LOL @ "Sparky", though)

brucehe wrote:Curious why replacing the fan is a concern?

thanks,

Bruce

Wow, I don't know how I missed this. I'm sorry about that.
I'm noticing the temps going up - sometimes drastically for some time now.
Using CPUID HW Monitor, PC Wiz and Real Temp to monitor temps and noticed the core temps going up.

Initially they never rose over 45 degrees and usually stayed around 41 - 43.
Lately they've been going over 50 and has reached 57. I'm suspecting the Thermal Paste,
as I've replaced many systems over the years and confirmed you can significantly lower temps
using better quality paste. Also, most paste doesn't last forever and can break down. I suspect that is the case here.

I'm definitely going to replace the entire assembly so I can make sure the fan is ok as well.

thanks and again I'm sorry I missed your question.