HELP. noisy fan, can't remove keyboard

[ashat]

The fan of my T41p is getting more an more noisy.
I finally decided to remove the keyboard and apply some canned air, but 1 out of the 4 screws is trapped.
I have tried every screwdriver, but nothing.
Now probably I have damaged the head and it will be impossible to remove that screw.
Anyway it is incredibly trapped.

So I can't remove the keyboard.

Can I try with a bit of canned air from the outside, on the left of the laptop where the air of the fan comes out?
Or this is risky and I will surely damage the fan or the laptop?

A.

[RealBlackStuff]

You can try the canned air from the outside, but you must also first insert a cocktail pricker, or a long needle, or similar, to prevent the fan from spinning!
If the fan spins while applying canned air, it will be destroyed!

As to your screw problem: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 0&p=552238

[ashat]

You can try the canned air from the outside, but you must also first insert a cocktail pricker, or a long needle, or similar, to prevent the fan from spinning!
If the fan spins while applying canned air, it will be destroyed!

As to your screw problem: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 0&p=552238

Thanks for your answer but:

1) the screw is one very deep in the plastic, about (0.5 cm) it looks hard to work even with the Dremel, anyway I don't have one here to try.

2) it is impossible to see the fan from the outside, the opening is really narrow. it should be enough if I just put the needle inside until I touch something??

one more question: could it be worth the price to send this laptop (more than 5 years old) to Lenovo to have the fan replaced?
how much could it cost?

A.

[RealBlackStuff]

You would be able to almost buy a new laptop for the price that Lenovo will charge you!
Before you insert it, mark 2.5cm on the needle with a felt pen or similar, so you know how 'deep' you have gone.
Then apply the air.

Get a fine drill, the size of the screw's head, and very carefully drill the head of that screw away. You need a steady hand, and don't go any 'deeper' than absolutely necessary. And don't 'shoot out' to the side either!
When done, remove the keyboard, and use pliers to remove the rest of the screw shaft.

[ashat]

ok, thanks.
so I will stop at 2.5cm,
it is better put the needle in the center of the opening or on left/right side?

You would be able to almost buy a new laptop for the price that Lenovo will charge you!
Before you insert it, mark 2.5cm on the needle with a felt pen or similar, so you know how 'deep' you have gone.
Then apply the air.

I will try this only if the canned air from the outside doesn't work thanks!

Get a fine drill, the size of the screw's head, and very carefully drill the head of that screw away. You need a steady hand, and don't go any 'deeper' than absolutely necessary. And don't 'shoot out' to the side either!
When done, remove the keyboard, and use pliers to remove the rest of the screw shaft.

[richk]

The screws can be drilled out. If you take a 2mm bit and drill through the head, the head will break free spin when you get down to the shaft. After removing the keyboard, you can remove the shaft with pliers. I like to pit a little silicone lubricant on the tip of the bit to collect the filings.

[RealBlackStuff]

Insert the needle at the right end of the opening when you look straight at it.

[ashat]

> Insert the needle at the right end of the opening when you look straight at it.

ok, thanks.
Is there any other advise I need?
Is more safe one long fixed shot of canned air, or few short shots, moving through the opening?

A

[RealBlackStuff]

A few short bursts are better.
If you blow too long, moisture will come out of that can into the laptop!

[ashat]

A few short bursts are better.
If you blow too long, moisture will come out of that can into the laptop!

I did try today, two time, 4/5 bursts per time, but nothing change.
The noise is still the same.

Is it the case to try additional times, or too risky for the dust to get into the laptop?

(This is my first experience with canned air, I was imaging the burst was stronger than it actually is...)

A.

[craigmontHunter]

Try some WD-40 through the vents onto the fan. I have fixed a couple of laptop fans that way.

Good luck

[Harryc]

Try some WD-40 through the vents onto the fan. I have fixed a couple of laptop fans that way.

Good luck

This sounds like a bad idea. You have no control over where the WD40 is going and there are many places inside the laptop where you would not want WD40 to land. I would dremmel out the stuck screw and replace the fan.