Removing CPU fan from iMac G5

Fixing up an iMac G5 for someone who wants to buy it. Popped in a brand new hard drive and loaded the OS with the fan running at full speed the entire time. Figured it was time to open it up, apply new thermal compound to the chips and take care of any dust issues.

Upper fans were no problem, but I can't see how the CPU fan comes out. It seems to just be held on by the weird metal bracket on top but I don't want to risk damaging anything by removing it the wrong way. I managed to clean it fairly well just pushing some tissue a few revolutions and blowing it out, but I would like to be a little more thorough if it's possible.

This is a 17-inch iMac G5/1.8GHz (EMC 1989 / Model A1058)

kahlil88 said:

Upper fans were no problem, but I can't see how the CPU fan comes out.

Click to expand...

Go to:

iFixit

...and check out the iMac G5 disassembly procedures.

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

Go to:

iFixit

...and check out the iMac G5 disassembly procedures.

Click to expand...

Already been there, that's always the first place I look before crying for help. Their guide for this model only covers the two upper fans, which don't really need explanation. I'm thinking the fan should probably be replaced, because even at low speeds it sounds AWFUL.

See the first post -- also added a link to the EveryMac specs page for this model.

kahlil88 said:

See the first post

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Saw that about 2 seconds after I posted!

- Nick

I think that you need to check out steps #12 and #31 of the logic board removal procedure:





HTH,

- Nick

Already removed the logic board, the big grey thing below the heatsink, next to where the power supply would be, is the fan and I think it needs to be stripped down to the display level just to remove it.

kahlil88 said:

...the big grey thing below the heatsink, next to where the power supply would be, is the fan and I think it needs to be stripped down to the display level just to remove it.

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Remove the speaker next to it (right speaker in the photo). It may give you a better idea of how to remove it & maybe access to screws.

- Nick

Looked at their guide for removing the "midplane assembly" which refers to the entire top layer that the logic board is mounted onto. They don't show how it looks without the midplane but I think this should allow me access to the fan, and fortunately I have another iMac G5 with the classic LCD vertical lines problem that I can trade parts with.

Finally got the fans swapped, and what a difference it made! You were right about removing the speaker, turned over the midplane and removed the two torx T8 screws that were holding it in and once it was out the fan was free to go.

kahlil88 said:

Finally got the fans swapped, and what a difference it made!

Click to expand...

Way to go. Congratulations!

- Nick