CPU Fan going crazy (over 3500 rpm) all the time iMac 24"

Hello,
I have had an iMac 24" since Aug 2009. I had no problem until up a month ago (coincidentally after I installed Mountain Lion).
The CPU fan becomes very noisy, reaching 3500 rpm and more. I checked and the CPU temperature is around 90C when this happens.
It happens invariably after very little usage of the computer. Sometimes it's when I'm watching a DVD, sometimes is when I'm copying files from a USB hard drive, sometimes I'm just surfing the web.
I have brought my computer to the Apple Store twice already. The first time they told me I should reinstall the OS from scratch, after erasing the disk (which I did), the second time they told me they had found the problem and fixed it, for free! but it presented itself as soon as I turned it on back home.
The CPU temperature is around 80C right now, and I only have safari opened and I haven't reinstalled any program since I reinstalled the OS.
Do you have any idea of what it could be? Could it be that the sensor is detecting a wrong temperature? In this case, could I set the fan speed manually? I know it is not advisable, but the people from the apple store are not helping
Thanks for any help you could give me,
Biagio

Please start by doing a SMC Reset,
Shut down the computer. 
Unplug the computer's power cord and all peripherals.
Wait fifteen seconds. 
Attach the computer's power cord. 
Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
If necessary repeat process.

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