Projector fan faulty?

ScoobyDoo · 23 Dec 2017 at 13:46

Purchased a Benq w1210st projector last month for gaming and love the picture quality etc.
I've now noticed that after the projector has been on for about 20mins one of the fans is making a high pitched whistle.
If I blow on the fan it stops for a couple of mins and then starts again.
It also stops for a while if I move or tap the projector

Does this sound like a faulty fan? If so it's going to have to go back to Benq for repair and I'll be without it for a couple of weeks

lucid · 24 Dec 2017 at 11:17

I'm surprised blowing on the fan stops it, but yes, from your description it sounds like a faulty fan.

Did you buy it new or used? If new then it should go back to the retailer. Something as new as a month old ideally should be replaced over the counter.

Fans aren't too difficult to replace provided that there's stock of an equivalent part available.

Royal Fleet · 24 Dec 2017 at 11:23

Don't blow into it. I did this and ended up getting dust onto the Light unit (or whatever it is called). I needed to get it repaired.

ScoobyDoo · 24 Dec 2017 at 13:22

It is a new one but I think the policy is after 30 days then it's a warranty repair. I'll see how it goes over the Xmas period, hopefully it may settle down. If not I'll contact the company I purchased it off to see what they say.

lucid · 24 Dec 2017 at 14:10

Waiting is a bad choice.

If the fan stops then the projector isn't being cooled because it's not getting the air flowing through it to dissipate the heat from the lamp. Running it like that puts more strain on the other fan and risks the lamp overheating. Delaying the repair means more damage and more expense, some of it your fault and your cost to repair.

I know it's inconvenient timing, but honestly running this risk just isn't worth it.

Kol · 24 Dec 2017 at 15:18

Also, don't blow on it. Of course the sound will stop, when you blow it you are blowing against it expelling air so slowing it down.

ScoobyDoo · 24 Dec 2017 at 17:30

I'll call up in the new year and get it repaired. I've checked and the fan is working and blowing the hot air out, it just makes a funny noise after about 20 mins although I used it for over 30 mins last night and it didn't make a sound!