Leaks

[natermeister]

I just got to testing my w/c setup, for the record it consists of:

Thermochill PA120.1
D-Tek Fuzion V1
Laing DDC3.2 with Petra's top
Swiftech MCRES

I'm getting very slight leakage, but only on the fittings of the reservoir and the pump. In other words, only on the plastic parts. The fittings I'm using are not supposed to require teflon tape (they have a sealing ring and a secondary o-ring). They're industrial grade quick disconnect compression fittings and I'm using proper tubing.

I tightened them up more, and it appears that they aren't leaking anymore. Still, I ran the system in for 72 hours with only power to the pump and it didn't leak. It seems to take some period of days to weeks to start leaking. Anyone have any ideas? I've thought about laying a thin bead of silicone around the fittings to help staunch the leaking.

 

[kfc469]

if you do the silicone, it'll probably end up gluing everything together and you wont be able to get it apart if you ever decide to. are you against using the teflon tape? even though it isn't required, it'll probably help.

 

[Russ]

if you do the silicone, it'll probably end up gluing everything together and you wont be able to get it apart if you ever decide to. are you against using the teflon tape? even though it isn't required, it'll probably help.

Yea, personally after my first water cooling experience, I put teflon tape on every fitting I can.

Using a MCRES here myself, my pump is a D5 not a DDC though.

I have teflon tape on all the radiator and reservoir fittings, and worm clamps on all the reservoir, pump, and radiator connections. Not enough space to easily get them on the video card or CPU barbs, and I was too lazy to go through the work needed to get them on (they're some bitching hard worm clamps to tighten).

No leaks, though I just put it back together a two weeks ago, and it hasn't been running more than probably 72 hours put together.

 

[natermeister]

I'm thinking that maybe the fittings just weren't tight enough. I remember not really cranking them down because I was afraid of damaging the plastic threads. If their not tight enough, the sealing ring probably wouldn't lock tight against the res or pump. I tightened them up as much as I dared, to the point where they're basically not easy to tighten any further.

The good thing is that my res and pump are quite a bit separated from the electronic bits of my computer, so small leaks can be found and staunched before the nasty coolant gets on anything that it could damage.

 

[Stoney]

With watercooling,it's been my experience that the manufacturers are going with cheap thin orings.
Therefore i recommend changing them out. Chances are you may have damaged them from over tightening. I just get the " Viton 111" orings part # 9464 from www.mcmastercarr.com, there alot thicker for better sealing. Theres also a handy oring chart for different sizes.
You should not have to use teflon tape with a sealing oring
Only hand tighten your fittngs then a slight 1/4 turn.

 

[devilchrist]

Here's a tip about O-ring sealing

1. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN
2. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN
3. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN
4. use a form of lubricant for surfaces that touch the O-ring (water will do)

most problem with O-ring seal has to do with overtightening and deforming the O-ring. your barbs should be never be tighter than 2-3 finger tight.

lubrication on the O-ring contact surfaces also help to prevent O-ring from deformming as well.