R61 - how difficult is it to replace cpu fan on my own?

[slname]

I have an R61 (8918-B9G) that's past its warranty. About a year ago, I got the cpu fan replaced as it started roaring loudly and I got several fan error messages - it was under warranty then. Now it started giving me the same symptoms and I'm not really looking forward to taking it to a repair shop as I'm sure it would cost quite some money.

Instead, I was thinking of buying a replacement fan from ebay (that's my best shot, it's quite difficult to find a store that would ship to Croatia) and replace it myself. Now my question is - how difficult is it? From my understanding it's a part that is listed as "customer replaceable" meaning it shouldn't be THAT difficult to do, right? Is there a photo guide perhaps on how to do it? Any suggestions are more than welcome, thanks.

[madkat]

you can read my thread - about R61 temperature issues - you'll se pictures of the fan http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=81587

also @Merc's thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=56960 - very comprehensive thread with pics

If it it's not the first time you've worked on a Thinkpad - you will find the oparation fairly simple. Be careful what fan you choose - there are 2 types of fan for R61 (for intel or nvidia graphics - the nvidia one FRU 42W2780 (edited) is more powerful) - and be careful NOT to buy the T60 fan - it fits but is far less efficient... you can see pics of it in my thread

good luck!

[slname]

you mean 42W2780? (that's what I found on the official Lenovo website)

[madkat]

yes - it was a typo - edited now
in the pictures youcan see the whole label http://i34.tinypic.com/2dvvodk.jpg

[slname]

thanks a lot. have you perhaps photographed the process?

[madkat]

Merc's thread has a lot of photos of the process.

It's fairly easy - first you remove the palmrest, keyboard and bezel - the screws are marked - all but two in the rear corners (the Hardware Maitenance Manual is useful for identifying them), and three screws under the battery (also shown in the HMM, but more obvious). There are also 4 screws under the keyboard but are easy to see.
You can leave the speaker connector attached - the wires are long enough, and the plug is small and weird, so better leave it like it is.
The fan is attached with two braces and 4 screws.
Do not forget to clean the old thermal grease and apply fresh one (even if the fan will have some preapplied)

[slname]

thanks a bunch, you've been extremely helpful (and gave me enough confidence to do it). I'll check with my repair shop to see what the cost of them doing it would be and decide whether I'll do it myself or not.

[madkat]

you're welcome - it's not a difficult thing to do - personally i think it's not worth to be done by a repair shop.
keep us posted, anyways

[slname]

I got a reply from an authorized service center and decided not to replace the fan myself. It's a matter of about $10 I'd be saving and I'd rather not risk it. Thanks for your help though, I hope this thread will be of some use for someone else.

[madkat]

You won't have the same satisfaction
many of us roaming around this forum are doing all kind of surgery on their thinkpads, not only because we need to, but because we love working on these machines.