Fan was going out on T61

[Steel185]

I read several post about questions on CPU fans when mine started to act up, but none that really solved the problem, this is my contribution:
I've had my T61 for about 1.5-2 years now (when ever they came out) and its been great. About a month ago the fan started making the buzzing sound. I took it out and cleaned it with compressed air, and a cotton swab. I also added artic silver at this time. Nothing really changed, the noise remained an the temps were still around 50-53 degrees. I ordered a new fan and it arrived the day the old fan just stopped working. I installed the new fan with a fresh coat of Arctic Silver ($10 at radio shack) and its back to new, i can't hardly hear the fan (i have to really listen) and the temps are 40-42. The temps are a good relation to the change of arctic silver becuase i didn't start checking the temps until the fan started making noise, running less efficent, causing more heat. But its yet another testiment to "once you hear the fan buzzing it will be going out soon" cleaning doesn't do anything. Good luck and if there are questions feel free to ask.