MacBook Air 11" (Mid 2011-Early 2015) Fan

Mon problème

Old fan was making all sorts of noise. I didn't even realize my Mac had a fan for years until this fan started to go, and then it was obvious as a blue sky.

Ma solution

Overall, it was a pretty easy repair, but a tad trickier than a standard PC laptop due to the tight tolerances and incredibly small parts. If you can put the Mac in a shallow box so no screws get lost in the process, it'll probably help considerably.

Mon conseil

The only super tricky part was sliding the new fan's ribbon cable into the slot. I used the spudger and pushed on the only small crease I could find to slide it into the slot. I suggest powering it on while still apart to verify functionality, then power it off and finish stitching everything back together.

Mon problème

After troubleshooting SOOO MANY THINGS - it was clear that the issue was isolated to the fan. It sounded like, based on all other forums I had read, that the ball bearing in the fan had run it's course and the least expensive route (short of shooting some silicone lubricant into the fan) was to replace the fan.

Ma solution

Fantastic! I had already purchased the official iFixIt tool kit and spudger and it hadall of the bits that I needed to open the macbook air and safety perform all of the necessary operations.

From start to finish and successful reboot with the new fan, it took less than 45 minutes. Thank you so much iFixIt!

Mon conseil

Make sure you have some dedicated container(s) for all of the teeny tiny screws that are part of this process.

Also - be sure to put the dampening rubber that's on the old fan and transfer it to the new fan (the new fan did not come with it).

Mon problème

Fan stopped working. Turned out my lazy-self got a piece of a shreddie stuck inside. Regular for me; irregular for a laptop.

Ma solution

Everything went according to plan except the driver (P5) stripped. iFixIt dispatched a replacement NEXT DAY! Wow, what service.

Mon conseil

If you have multiple P5-bolt-burdened devices though, get the high-end driver.

Also there's a rubber air guide/seal on the original Fan that you have to peel off and stick to the new fan - as the replacement fan doesn't include it - no biggie, just FYI!