Playstation3 fan problems

[saprano]

The fan's airflow is limited. it usually blows air out the back and the side, but now it seems like its trying to and not alot is coming out. any ideas?

[CanadianKrazyMods]

what model is it, you might be able to do the fan test.

[saprano]

60gig

[Seeking_Alpha]

Try using a low powered hand vacuum on the vents.

After that, just ignore your ummm... paranoia

[saprano]

Im not being paranoid, something is wrong with it.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by saprano

Im not being paranoid, something is wrong with it.

Have you changed temperature at all in your home? For example made it colder or gave it more room to breath? The fans come on to cool down the PS3, so it won't go full blast if it feels like the current setting is sufficient.

[saprano]

I know about all that stuff, its not that. the airflow that comes out of those vents aint coming out. its like something is blocking the air. only a little is coming out. maby i should try the ps3 fan cleaning thing?

[Septimus Prime]

Yeah, PS3 fans are so annoying. Here I am, minding my own business hyping up Xbox on their forum, and they have the gall to tell me I'm "trolling"!

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by saprano

I know about all that stuff, its not that. the airflow that comes out of those vents aint coming out. its like something is blocking the air. only a little is coming out. maby i should try the ps3 fan cleaning thing?

i would not do the fan test. since you have a 60gig its out of warranty so i would open it to check if there is something blocking like dust balls. there are plenty of places online to see how exactly to do this. even if you open it to clean it, sony will fix it for a price if you ever need to.

[saprano]

I dont think i want to open the ps3. i'll just check around the vents, maby blow a little compressed air inside.

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by saprano

Im not being paranoid, something is wrong with it.

Agreed
I have the exact same question. My 60gig's fan is always on max (and extremely loud) but theres VERY little airflow that I can feel. Its simply not working properly. It doesnt even get very warm, yet the fan blasts away.

[saprano]

Funny thing is this just happend today. yesterday the fan was working fine.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Agreed
I have the exact same question. My 60gig's fan is always on max (and extremely loud) but theres VERY little airflow that I can feel. Its simply not working properly. It doesnt even get very warm, yet the fan blasts away.

the outside by the vents may not get very hot but the inside might. the inside of the ps3 is pretty packed and if something is blocking the airflow, then itll never reach the outside. my 60gig died the other week. fan never ran like crazy, never got hot outside. it was working like a champ, like new for over 2 yrs then nothing.

[saprano]

Do you know what could be blocking it? my room is cool right now and the fan is on high. that never happed before. i used compressed air but does that really get to the fans?

[Steve-O]

Yes, compressed air will help. Dust also builds up at the top and bottom of the hard drive, which is located near the power supply. You want to keep it as clean as possible.

[saprano]

Where do you spray it? i sprayed some in the front, back, and side vents. air flow feels the same though.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by saprano

Do you know what could be blocking it? my room is cool right now and the fan is on high. that never happed before. i used compressed air but does that really get to the fans?

the fan is a lot larger than i expected. but its also facing downward. so it seems to me that the type of fan is suppose blow sideways coming from the outer edge of the blades. i wouldnt know what could be blocking it but i do feel that depending on the environment that dust build up could block it. this is why i recommend taking a look. imo, can of air is mostly going to blow an area of dust to other areas inside unless you can get the can to blow from the inside. there is no worries of any dust getting to the blu ray lense since its sealed inside the drive thats enclosed in a 'box'. ive used compressed air before and depending on how far your trying to reach and the build up can do very little. after my ps3 died, i was curious as to the dust build up in my console. i called sony to make sure that they will indeed fix it without the warranty sticker if i paid. they said as long as the serial # is there they would. this is why i opened mine. no matter i good i took care of my ps3 i was surprised as to the extent of dust inside. even after vacuuming.

edit: im just stating my opinion and experience with my console. do what you feel your comfortable doing.

[SkantDragon]

You may not have anything to worry about there.

Is the PS3 actually getting really hot? Is the fan noisy (ie. running at maximum RPM)?

If neither of these is the case, don't worry about it. It's working like it should.

The amount of heat the PS3 generates is highly variable depending on what it's doing. And the amount of air cooling is affected by that and also atmospheric conditions and other circumstances.

From what you've described, I tend to think it's just not having to work as hard as it was before now.

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by SkantDragon

You may not have anything to worry about there.

Is the PS3 actually getting really hot? Is the fan noisy (ie. running at maximum RPM)?

If neither of these is the case, don't worry about it. It's working like it should.

The amount of heat the PS3 generates is highly variable depending on what it's doing. And the amount of air cooling is affected by that and also atmospheric conditions and other circumstances.

From what you've described, I tend to think it's just not having to work as hard as it was before now.

Mine goes to the 2nd highest speed within minutes of turning it on. And it goes into overdrive as soon as I do anything. That in itself isnt the problem, its the fact that theres very little airflow. Ive had my 60gig virtually since launch, and I know it wasnt ever this bad before. My guess is that its my cats. I have a big flully white one, and that bastard sheds like you wouldnt believe. Ive already tried opening it up and blasting the hair out, but i think im going to repeat that process.

[kingofgrills]

Alternate between canned air and a vaccuum cleaner. It's important you keep the vents and internal areas as dust free as possible, so the cooling system will work properly. For periods where the unit is off and not in use, a dust cover would be helpful.