Has anyone done this? I have the adhesive tape kit but not the nerve. I have a late 2015 and a 5k 2020 and the both run extremely hot just watching a youtube video. Vacuuming the vents doesn't do much. I'm afraid of cracking the glass.
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Opening up 27" iMac to clean out dust
- Thread starter greyeyezz
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I really wouldn't open an iMac unless it was absolutely necessary.
I've done it. Allow several hours, especially if you end up doing what I did: I pulled out everything including the logic board and gave the remaining shell a good dusting. Be very careful when reassembling. I had the screen sitting loose and I plugged the machine in to make sure everything was still functional, connected etc. When I shut the machine down it was difficult to get the plug back out and the screen started to drop out! Fortunately I was able to grab it quickly, but it's a situation you want to avoid in the first place.
I'm going to have to do it again soon, because I need to replace the fan. Not looking forward to it.
I'm going to have to do it again soon, because I need to replace the fan. Not looking forward to it.
I have rebuilt the late 2015 to a DIY 5k Display. And I have upgraded an iMac Pro.
I assume you have the iFixIt kit with the adhesive and the cut tool. The cut tool is important. It is made of plastic, and the wheel will cut to the correct dept. Also good to have the two suction cups, to lift the panel up in top end.
I use a "stand" to hold the panel in position while removing the ribbon cables. The stand can be whatever material that isn't metal or sharp. Preferably something like a small box perhaps, to prevent it from tipping over.
If I remember correctly, the ribbon cable has a metal clip that locks it on position. So do not try to pull the ribbon cable out before releasing the clip.
When you screw the logic board back in, connect a few USB cables to fixate it in the correct position, or an USB and a SD card.
I assume you have the iFixIt kit with the adhesive and the cut tool. The cut tool is important. It is made of plastic, and the wheel will cut to the correct dept. Also good to have the two suction cups, to lift the panel up in top end.
I use a "stand" to hold the panel in position while removing the ribbon cables. The stand can be whatever material that isn't metal or sharp. Preferably something like a small box perhaps, to prevent it from tipping over.
If I remember correctly, the ribbon cable has a metal clip that locks it on position. So do not try to pull the ribbon cable out before releasing the clip.
When you screw the logic board back in, connect a few USB cables to fixate it in the correct position, or an USB and a SD card.
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I've repaired many Macs, and this design was the most intimidating to me before I got used to it. With that said, it's not difficult if you take your time. Some tips:
- Work slow
- Take breaks
- Make sure you get multiple wheels with the holder - most kits will come with extras. If you're really starting to struggle with the cutting, and you've been using the wheel for awhile, swap it out. Most kits come with 5-6 and I usually use half per Mac
- Closely inspect each Mac for chips in the glass - this is your most likely chance of cracking. I had a few at work that were unused due to their 5400 drives, and one had an existing, several inch long crack already, with a chip along the edge. The stakes were low so I made an attempt, and got the iMac open
- Work slow
Take a can of air and blow out the vents. If it’s not broke, don’t try to fix it.
This being said it sounds like maybe you’re bored and want something to tinker with. Go on eBay and buy a working but cheap iMac. This will give you some practice and maybe get the tinkering out of your system before you break the computer you’re using.
I’m assuming they have vents that blow air out and suck air in. Normally just blow in both sides and it will push any dust out the other side. Generally, the air is going to remove the majority of the dust and keep the air passageways clear.
This being said I don’t have specific knowledge on the 2015 iMac. Maybe it has cooling problems where it needs to be taken apart otherwise it overheats? If it’s functioning, I sure wouldn’t disassemble it just to remove some dust that’s not causing problems.
I know people love taking apart MacBook Pros to dust them. I’ve used one in a desert climate for a year with no need to do this. Every time I sprayed air into it, sand would pour out of it. I had to do this at least once a month. This is an extreme example, but shows that even in that situation, it wasn’t necessary to disassemble it. Of course just my example with a MacBook Pro and the iMac may be a totally different situation when it comes to it overheating.
My suggestion was to use a cheaper eBay iMac mainly to get some practice. This way if he cracks the screen, it’s not going to be on the actual computer.
I just hate to see someone break their main computer because they were bored then now they’re sad without a computer. That would be quite depressing.
The vents are a considerable distance apart, and blowing air into the top vent won't dislodge dust out the bottom ones. There's a grille a few cm above the bottom vents that stops most of the dust from going into the computer itself, but the dust just builds up below the grille. In theory something like a bent paperclip might get most of it out, but the vents are narrow and the angle makes it difficult (especially if you don't have the service wedge that props the screen up).
That sounds like a terrible design. It would be nice if they had some way to take panels off to service it without separating the screen. The thought of what seems like peeling off an oversized iPhone screen gives me stress. I disassembled my 2018 Mac mini and I was sweating a little just with that.
Indeed. I submitted feedback about it years ago but I don't believe the newer machines are any better.
I bought the iMac Pro second hand. And it ran hotter than my own iMac Pro. So I decided to open it up and clean it, and using the opportunity to upgrade it.
There was far less dust in it than I would have thought. I used good quality cooling paste on the CPU and GPU.
The exhaust air is no longer hot, and much cooler now.
So I am not sure if it was the dust cleaning that lowered the temperature, the new cooling paste, or both.
If an iMac runs hot, I would first try to remove some dust without opening it. Like @Nermal advices.
Using a vacuum cleaner to suck dust out along the full length of the bottom intake, and from the outlet vent behind the stand. I would not use pressurised air to blow air in, as that would damage the filter in the intake for sure.
If I open an iMac, it is to make upgrade(s), or rebuild.
Air intake filter (iMac Pro)
There was far less dust in it than I would have thought. I used good quality cooling paste on the CPU and GPU.
The exhaust air is no longer hot, and much cooler now.
So I am not sure if it was the dust cleaning that lowered the temperature, the new cooling paste, or both.
If an iMac runs hot, I would first try to remove some dust without opening it. Like @Nermal advices.
Using a vacuum cleaner to suck dust out along the full length of the bottom intake, and from the outlet vent behind the stand. I would not use pressurised air to blow air in, as that would damage the filter in the intake for sure.
If I open an iMac, it is to make upgrade(s), or rebuild.
Air intake filter (iMac Pro)
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The most important thing is NOT to use a metal slicing blade along the top of the iMac, as if is inserted slightly too far it slices right through the ribbon cable taking the signal to the screen matrix.
Instantly producing a vertical black line below the cut, which is unrepairable and ruins the screen.
If the pizza wheel doesn’t quite cut through the adhesive then only use a soft edge plastic guitar pick to finish the cut.
It’s not difficult, but care is needed…
Instantly producing a vertical black line below the cut, which is unrepairable and ruins the screen.
If the pizza wheel doesn’t quite cut through the adhesive then only use a soft edge plastic guitar pick to finish the cut.
It’s not difficult, but care is needed…
I have never done one of these, but...a person is born with the genes to tinker or they are not.
I would open it up with the intention of blowing out dust, replacing the fan, and reapplying thermal paste to the chips. Thermal paste, over time and with exposure to heat, becomes brittle and loses its effectiveness. A significant amount of heat could be attributed to this fact alone. Be prepared to change the fan or clean it thoroughly.
Plan on it being a learning experience, with the process taking perhaps several days. I would use a camera to take photos of every connection and any other relevant details. If you open this up, only to remove dust, you may likely find very little dust. Now what do you do? Put it back together and still have heat? I would commit to a disassembly and thorough inspection. There are plenty of YouTube vids, I would look at those as a primer.
However, I was born with those genes to tinker.
You can consider the cost for professional service to clean vs the cost to replace the broken glass by professional service ....
It's much easier to judge here in Ho Chi Minh City....The service cost is quite reasonable. Adding 25$ and I can get it done at home, too.
The CPU will need repasting after ten years. If you are going to crack the iMac open, might be an idea to get everything done once and for all. It will help with temps.
The advice about the ribbon cables is good, and should be applied to all Apple devices, IMHO – I’ve found those clips in an MBA, too (battery cable).
I've had one of our iMacs opened, but I paid someone else to do it. Glad I did - they cracked the screen and replaced it on their own dime instead of mine! Now that machine is old and has been replaced by a newer Mac twice, so I'd be willing to open it myself if I wanted to try to fix it once more.
@Timpetus "I've had one of our iMacs opened, but I paid someone else to do it. Glad I did - they cracked the screen..."
Was this the second time that the iMac screen was removed?
The usual cause of cracked screens on opening is because someone had already opened the iMac, and replaced the screen adhesive with some sort of non-standard double-sided tape (with no porous foam centre core to cut into to reopen it...).
Or even worse, just squeezed hard setting glue directly onto the glass flange...
Which not surprisingly is the end of that screen if any attempt to open it is subsequently tried. ☹️
Was this the second time that the iMac screen was removed?
The usual cause of cracked screens on opening is because someone had already opened the iMac, and replaced the screen adhesive with some sort of non-standard double-sided tape (with no porous foam centre core to cut into to reopen it...).
Or even worse, just squeezed hard setting glue directly onto the glass flange...
Which not surprisingly is the end of that screen if any attempt to open it is subsequently tried. ☹️
This is all great advice. It is doable if you have the right tools and parts, set up a clean workspace, and go slowly and carefully step by step. I don't think you're likely to crack the screen when taking it off, so long as you're doing everything slowly and by the book.
I opened mine up to replace a dying Fusion Drive, and I think the bulk of my time was spent carefully getting all the old adhesive off the display before putting on the new adhesive strips.
I believe it is possible to get dust in there. Can you vaccuum instead of blowing air in?
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iMac 27" late 2015 parts
I could not find my iMac fan, but the logic board and the cooler with air duct is shown here. So I added the photo from OWC.
I do not see how blasting in air would be useful, especially up in the air vent intake. It would very likely cause the dust filter to be torn up.
However, it would be a great opportunity if it is opened, to upgrade the slow spinning 7200rpm HD to a SATA SSD. Without a need to remove the logic board. Depending on iMac model, might require a temp sensor to function correctly.
The SSD blade is on the back facing side, right above the ethernet port. Cannot be replaced without removing the logic board as well.
Sorry, are you saying that the fan shown in this OWC photo was not in your iMac?