clicky fan

[comquter]

i know its a repetative question.. mostly.
bottom line/question on bottom.
So I'm semi-tech savvy. But i have a dell dimension 2400. Here's my story:
->A long time ago, my fan made this similar noise, like a quick clicking. very quick. I got it replaced. w00t for warranties.
->i was out of town and I turned off my computer for about 4 or 5 days (it is usually on 24/7). Before, it ran fine (aside from it starting to slow down due to the ever-growing list of processes that I have this thing run).
-> I get home and it starts clicking- not entirely, but on for 10 seconds, off for 30, or on for a minute, off for 45 seconds.
->I'm in high school, a senior. at the end of the school year, I will be getting a graduation gift of a laptop for college. But chances are my sister will be getting this thing.

It seems to me like i need to get this thing replaced.
QUESTIONS:
-How important is it- aside from the annoying noise it makes, is there any reason for me to hurry?
-Is it ok for me to use this computer while I wait for a new fan to be shipped?
-I want quality, but I don't want to spend too much, seeing as how I won't be using this computer for years to come. Any suggestions of what fan I should buy? (case fan, I'm pretty sure). Should I just order it through dell?
-Any other advice for me?

Thanks for the help and the time

[J1978]

HI are you sure it's your case fan and not the cpu fan? if it is just the case fan check your temps if they are not too hot then you could use it in the meantime.
as for the fan i am not sure if u need a specific dell compatible fan or just any standard fan will do the job.

[Cricket]

That sound could be a wire getting hit by the fan blades. Check to see no wires are near the intake side of the fan.

Cricket

[RazorDX]

If you see that wires are all clear, you may want to check if any fans are spinning abnormally. If a fan's bearing will go out, it can start making all sorts of sounds and will seem to stick. Check em all... CPU, case, video, north bridge, anything that spins. I don't really know what the click sounds like, but the hard drive could be a possibility.

[MakeYourslf2012]

If you find that a fan is spinning abnormally or making a weird sound, some WD-40 might take care of that.

[cuog]

I would discourage WD-40 because it can make some kinds of bearingd blow chunks and thats not a good thing also try putting a small peice of electrical tape or duct tape over the center section of the fan so that it doent block any airflow. i had this happen and apparently the extra mass of the tape slows it just enough to prevent vibrations

its worth a try at wirst your out ten minutes and an inch long peice of tape.

Good Luck,
Cuog