Help - Water cooling system pipe came off!

So what I was doing was trying to figure out a good position in my Cooler Master 690 case for the radiator of my custom built water cooling system. I finally found a great, workable position -- but as soon as I did the [loose] clamp (its like a zip tie, but metal and you use a screw to tighten/secure it) to the pump totally failed and the pipe came off, leaking out at least 50% (possibly up to 70%) of the coolant+water mixture (I do not know what percent of coolant was in the solution).

The majority of the major leakage/spill ended up on the metal parts of the case (inside of the case), and only some of it dropped onto two of my harddrives and onto the motherboard (motherboard had more droppage than the harddrives). The south bottom-middle/bottom-east region of the motherboard as well as just a few drops in the middle-east near the 20 pin power connector. The thick, nice and organized bundle of wires probably got more of it than the motherboard. Everything else seems to have been untouched (such as video card, CPU, north/south bridge heatsinks, PCI/PCI-E slots, RAM & slots, DVD-ROM Drive, Fans).

By the way, nothing was connected to the computer. I had unplugged everything and pulled my rig out into the middle of my room to make it easier to try out different fitting positions for the water cooling system's radiator (so that I could find a position that would work and fit into the tight case).

No electricity was involved..except that very shortly after the leakage I had taken out the battery from the motherboard. Not sure if that mattered or not.

I disassembled -everything- to the point where I would have piece-by-piece on the floor. With the help of my younger brothers, we cleaned up the floor, wiped all wires (I also wiped the motherboard as much as I could, as well as the harddrive), etc. I rinsed the parts that had no electrical parts (and were perfectly safe to submerge under water) for a few minutes and shook them out.

I used some Simple Green as a pre-final cleaning solution on my case (I only used it on the case and swiping the wires/sleeves -- no pins or electrical contacts!).

As a final step, I used a decent hairdryer (produced warm/hot air and lots of airflow) over all parts to make sure everything was dry and to finish off any possible/major/minor evaporation.

I need advice, suggestions, etc for cleanup. I also need information -- how much damage might have been possibly caused to my motherboard and harddrives? How long should I wait before giving any electric power to any of these parts? How long should I wait just to be sure and safe that everything is dry and safe to use? Should I RMA any parts?

EDIT :: By the way, case was lying on its side with the face of the motherboard facing the ceiling when this happened. That side of the case was also taken off before it happened.

You are probably alright as long as the coolant did not penetrate the hard drives and everything is dry. Hard drives have a vent that can allow moisture to penetrate the platter cage, but only if they wre immersed, probably. Since no electrical was hooked up, except for the CMOS battery(remove and dry that) you should be alright.

The harddrives didn't really get too much on them, just a few drops. The harddrives should be fine. This incident probably occurred at around 2PM, and since then I have had all the parts in my room laid out with a high-velocity fan running.

Like I mentioned, I did quickly remove the battery once my brother alarmed me that the pipe came off (and thanks to him not as much damage or direct-spillage occurred as could have)...I was wondering within those few seconds if it could have possibly shorted or messed with anything since that was the only possible source of electricity, despite it's minor role in a motherboard.

i have had hoses come off more than a few times.. as long as the system wasnt on, you will be fine the worst i have ever had was it managed to short the cmos jumper and cleared my bios.. being that this was a fresh build, thats not even an issue.

keep the fans on it, and let every thing sit overnight. in the mean time set your WC up in the case, without acctually attaching it to anything get it bled and leaktested

in the mean time set your WC up in the case, without acctually attaching it to anything get it bled and leaktested

Click to expand...

The water block I ordered is actually about a 1/4" too small, so I have to go to Lowes to buy two converters of approximately 3/4" --> 1/2". I also want to replace those metal rings because I don't know how much I can trust any of those. ;o

But -- I might go and check with the company I ordered the D-Tek water block from and ask them if I can exchange it for one of 3/4" fitting.

As for the coolant+water mixture, should I just add enough water to it to make it fill up the whole system? Through the spillage, I lost around 50% to 70% of the solution (I have another glass jar that is about a third full with the same solution that I didn't show in the camera shots -- but even still this isn't enough to fill the whole system in)...not sure if I should just add more water or create an additional solution of coolant+water and mix it into the solution I have to fill up the system?

Either way, I intend to flush the system with pure water before I change the water block (need to get two converters first / find out if I can exchange for larger fitting). I think I'll also take off all the pipes and perhaps improvise on the lengths or something.

1. 2 converters or exchange for larger pipe fitting on waterbock
2. Flush system with water
3. Let room sit overnight w/ fan


EDIT :: The D-Tek FuZion V2 water block only comes in 3/8" and 1/2" fittings -- so all I can do is just find a converter for 3/4" to 1/2" or something.

EDIT2 :: Measured and I have 5/8" tubing.

Bump.

I configured the most optimal position for this, and of course I will continue to have to take into mind of the video card's length and the cramming that there will be. The delta fan is to be aligned with the side of the case as much as possible, but will not be on (it blows out, not into the radiator). I might take the fan off (but the chances of that happening are low) to wittily free up about 38mm of width space. The tubing is to go over the HD4850. My only concern would be the hosing touching the HD4850 or its heatsink before my VGA Heatsink arrives (which is to more than halve its idling temperatures of nearly 70C -- to approximately 35C), but it may be alright, as the tubing should want to project outwards and away from the inside of the case. As for the electrical powering of the water cooling system, I am still wondering how I am going to drive that out of the case to an outlet. The front would be inconvenient since there are no holes there, but the backside of the case has two outlets for tubing (looks to be 1/2")...I doubt the plug would fit through that hole. Still thinking of how I could possibly get the cord to come out the back.

More pictures.

If i could set my computer up at the toilet, i'd never leave. pure genius !

Should I install the WC without any fluids at first and add fluids to it after installing it?

Or should I add fluids first and then install?

When adding fluids, should I just add whatever solution of water+coolant mixture that I have, then just add water to fill the rest of the system?

Or should I add whatever solution of water+coolant mixture that I have and then try to add equal proportions of water+coolant mixture (for this I would need some more information than just a yes)?

well, you have already leak tested so dont go pulling hoses apart, if it is easy to bleed, drain it to a point where it is below the blocks you are trying to install, (if a hose should do the same, hopfully it will pop off the part of the circuit that is up high) and have your pump and res inplace, the less to move the better... if its hard to bleed, leave it full and be very carefull (i have done it both ways with success.. ) as far as the solution.. i dont run any so im not going to be much help there, distilled water and nuthin else.. (if you must i would say premix to recommened, fill, and store what ever is left over.)

Man, that's nothing! While running, My thermochill pa120.3 popped a hole, it drizzled down My motherboard, gpu and down into My psu.
I slowly watched My temps rise. At 70c, I opened My case, as I did so, I caught a glimpse of My first e8400. 107c, the it shut off.

I pretty much did what you did, and My 2nd e8400 is running solid at 4.2ghz.


And that ladies and gents is why you use not conductive and non corrosive coolant!