Advice on cleaning a Gateway cooler fan.

Seriously?

To deleting the post. NO

To putting it outside. Yes

Puttin' it outside is possible, our radar has shower's coming overnight, I'm right near the storm designated C0 near Harrisburg:

I could take it with me to the Delaware Bay and drag it behind the boat.

Or a boat anchor, where would you like to meet?

In the middle of the DM Bridge LOL You pay the toll, it`s on your side.

Finally figured this out, and wanted to put this thread to bed (solved):

• The black parts, are the venturi horn and fan assembly.

• The silver or grey is the heat-sink. More on the heat-sink after the second Quote below.

   Information

Take note of the Fan orientation!

Anak said:

I can see what looks like plastic clips on the fan body that snap into holes on the horn.
I'm thinking those clips have to be pushed back with a plastic? screwdriver as the horn is maneuvered around the clip(s). There are two more opposite the ones I show in the pix, highlighted by yellow circles and arrows.

Pix from first post:

• You can see multiple wire leads coming from between the fan and heat-sink. Follow these to the motherboard fan header connection and carefully disconnect it from the motherboard.

• Take a a wide bladed tool (I used a screwdriver) and place it between the inside edge of the clip in the yellow circle and the fan body. Turn to spread clip away from the fan body and at the same time raise until that clip separates from the heat-sink. You may have to try the releasing procedure at the second clip to gain some slack.

• Repeat three more times until all clips are released (4 total).

• Lift entire assembly away from heat-sink.

What is not showing are the exact same clips that attach the venturi horn to the fan body (the black ear between the two yellow circles). Release them in the same fashion.

After the fan and horn are separated you can proceed to cleaning in your usual and customary fashion.

Re-assembly is the reverse order of dis-assembly.

• The horn has no orientation, locate the horn pins to the clips on the fan body and gently squeeze them until you hear or feel them snap together.

• Remember the orientation and do the same to re-assemble the unit to the heat-sink.

• Re-attach fan plug to motherboard fan header.

Anak said:

Maybe it would be easier to remove the whole cooling unit and put in some bench time? Highlighted in red are metal spring loaded screws, there are 4 total around the base of the fan that look to be the mounting screws.

The only concern you need to have unless you are going to re-apply thermal paste to the CPU is; Check the Phillips head spring loaded screws (4) (circled in red) to make sure they are tight.

If you are going to re-apply the paste loosen the screws until they dis-engage from the motherboard connections and gently lift the heat-sink away from the CPU. Clean both surfaces, re-apply the paste and lightly re-torque the heat-sink back onto the CPU.

   Information

Take note of the Heat-Sink orientation if you are going to remove it!

That's it.
Steve