Thinkpads Forum

The fan on my T60 (Type 2613CTO, s/n L3BR126) has become distractingly noisy. I disassembled the laptop and blew out the fan with compressed air but that didn't help much, so it looks like I need to replace it. I've submitted a request for the part number and cost to the Electronic Service Call site. Meanwhile if anyone can suggest another way to get this part, I'd appreciate the information.

Thanks!

That machine is under warranty. Call IBM at 1-800-426-7378. If you think you can do it yourself, they will send you a fan free. If you cannot, you can send or take it in. (very fast turnaround). The best parts are the free ones

I recently had a similar experience. After blowing out the dust my fan lasted a couple more weeks, then gave out completely. At that time I got a "Fan error" on startup and my Thinkpad immediately shut down. I think I read somewhere you are not supposed to blow the air through the fan with the fan blades turning freely. Apparently it damages the bearings or something.

My machine is under warranty, so I tried to get IBM to send me a new fan but they refused to and said I had to send my machine in. I preferred not to do that. Maybe you'll get luckier. If you are still in warranty, and they will send you the fan, then by all means replace it yourself. Otherwise, I would recommend ordering a replacement fan from ThermalFX. I can definitely recommend them. As far as I know their parts are refurbished or used. That is stated clearly on their site. The one I got looked brand new and has worked fine ever since.

BTW, I'm not sure if it's against the rules, but, I'm pretty sure members are discouraged from posting s/n's on the site.

good luck,
DenTP4rm

richk wrote:That machine is under warranty. Call IBM at 1-800-426-7378. If you think you can do it yourself, they will send you a fan free. If you cannot, you can send or take it in. (very fast turnaround). The best parts are the free ones

Unfortunately the fan on this model is integrated with the motherboard and not individually replaceable.

Thanks for the thoughts though.

Well, it's not really "integrated" with the motherboard, but it is not considered a CRU so they may not send you the fan to replace yourself. In any event, it's going to fail sooner or later if its making that much noise so you might as well get it replaced. You can try asking them again if they will send you the fan to replace yourself or just send it in for repair - should only be 3-4 days.

Hi Keith,

Well, perhaps not integrated in the sense of soldered and epoxied on, but that fan has a more intimate relationship with its motherboard than I'm comfortable tampering with on a machine that's still under warranty. I'm supposed to get an Easyserv box on Monday. The rep said four to five business days, but I'm hoping they can really turn it around in 3-4 days.

Meanwhile I may have located a spare identical laptop I can borrow while I wait for mine to come back.

Thanks for the advice.