Easy way to replace the GPU Fan in a P-6831FX?

[Captain Bad]

My GPU fan's been making very annoying and very noticeable grinding noises for a couple months now.

I looked at the amazingly well done disassembly thread but I noticed to get to the GPU fan itself, you have to disconnect a LOT of things. I made an attempt once already to try and get to it, but the case just didn't seem like it was opening as easily as it should be and gave up shortly after in fear of damaging something.

1) Is there a quick and easy way to access the GPU fan without having to take a great deal of the parts out first?

2) Where can I find a replacement GPU fan for the laptop?

Thanks in advance guys.

[Captain Bad]

Ugh, the whirring is driving me batty. I've cleaned it out like 5 different times and it's still going. SOMEONE HELP ME OUT HERE BEFORE I GO INSAAAAANE IN THE MEMBRAAAAAANE AHHHHHH!

[moral hazard]

Take the fan apart, make sure you really give it a good clean.

If it's broken, maybe buy a new one?

[Captain Bad]

Both great solutions. Both great solutions that I have problems with in my original post.

[InfectedSonic]

does the noise go away after some time? because if it does the fan is just too old and you need to do one of two things. either replace the fan or if its possible you can re lubricate the fan.

[Captain Bad]

How would I go about relubricating the fan? Is it possible to do without taking apart the laptop?

Also, I still don't know where to get a replacement fan.

[InfectedSonic]

lubricating the fan requires you to take the fan itself apart so you have to pull the fan outta the laptop which means you have to take the laptop apart. let me find you a quick little guide on lubricating the most commonly used fans in computers. There are other types of bearing systems a fan can use but i highly doubt gateway was willing to pay more for that so its most likely the kind described in the guides below.

heres one that will work for mildly worn fans
http://www.dansdata.com/fanmaint.htm

but sometimes you have to completely dismantle the fan if so you can follow this guide
http://www.dvhardware.net/articles7.html

i would recommend you use a mineral based oil. sewing machine oil works great. lots of people have successfully used lithium grease (you can find this at an auto parts store although ive never tried it)

NEVER use wd-40. lots of people commonly make the mistake of thinking that stuff is a lubricant. although it has mild lubricating properties (close to 15% oil) it was designed as a water displacer and is mostly hexane which evaporates. the oil residue left over could work but would only work for a very very short period of time.

honestly though it would just be alot easier to replace the fan because even though this will work (assuming the fan isnt closed bearing) itll be temporary (for how long really depends on use and oil) ive had fans go for a decent 4 months but ive had others that have gone 2 yrs

[Captain Bad]

Yea, it looks like I'm going to have to find a replacement fan instead and risk dismantling my computer. God help me.

[Maverick79]

LOL. That risk is worth taking to make it run for some more time (years hoepfully) at good temps.

[Captain Bad]

Comes the difficult part of finding the replacement fan first. I'm doubtful the later models of the P-FX series use the same fan as the old ones.