X220 fan clicking

My X220's fan has begun making an annoying clicking sound. I'm guessing the bearing is going bad. There isn't any way to clean it out either, to give that a try before getting it replaced. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

Just claim warranty

 

Why can't you clean it out? There isn't anything special about the x220 fan compared to all of the other laptop fans out there...

 

The fan is inaccessible just removing the keyboard like in previous models. It's on the bottom of the motherboard.

 

I mean, you just have to take off more stuff than the keyboard... but ya, if you're not comfortable doing that, you should see if you're still under warranty.

 

You have to completely disassemble the laptop and remove the motherboard. I'm not going to do that, it is under warranty.

 

I've been hearing a clicking noise which I thought was the HDD. It clicks like four times then I don't hear it for another few hours. As if it is stuck and clicking to release itself. I'll have to listen closer to see if it's coming from the HDD or the fan.

 

I've found out that the fan only makes the noise when the screen is open 180*. This is the position it's in when the notebook is connected to the monitor, since I don't use an external keyboard. When the screen is at around 120*, the fan clicking stops. Replacing the fan isn't going to solve anything. Is Lenovo service capable of solving a structural issue like this?

 

That's a weird one. Does changing the angle of the whole system change whether the fan clicks or not?

 

No, only the screen position affects it. It's actually doing it even in small angles, but I have to put my ear to it to hear it. The lid/hinge/base don't seem to be assembled or manufactured properly. Looks like the screen back is stressing the fan assembly, maybe that caused the fan bearing to go in the first place. I'll get it replaced but really don't want this to be a recurring issue. Hopefully in putting the machine back together after replacing the fan the issue is fixed.