Rebuilding water loop - A few questions

I

ih8spam

Weaksauce
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May 6, 2007
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I am replacing my video card. I have to rebuild my water loop after about 3 years of use.

I used clear the Koolance coolant fluid + 1 drop of copper sulfate. My coolant is still clear.

I have a drain port, which will get a lot of the fluid out of the system. However, I'm sure that I will still have fluid residue in my radiator when I open up the loop to drain it.

I have a few questions:

  1. What is the best way to clean the old stuff out of the radiator? I am thinking of pouring boiling distilled water through one of the radiator ports.
  2. What should I clean my CPU & GPU blocks with? Would an unused clean toothbrush with alcohol be a good choice?

Thanks,

IH8Spam
 
Flush with distilled water until it's clear. I would be careful with boiling anything as some watercooling parts don't do well with 80c+ water (acrylic, tubing) room temperature will be fine.

If your blocks are plated (nickel) be gentle with them. :D
 
Thanks, DeathPrincess. I'm not sure if I'll be able to tell when the radiator is "clear", since the existing fluid is already clear. Maybe I'll be (unpleasantly) surprised when I actually start the cleaning process and see chunks come out? :-D

All my blocks are copper. No nickel parts that I know of.
 
Well, the less stuff that comes out, the less your loop and blocks have degraded over time. If you start seeing a lot of junk come out of your radiator, it might be a good time to replace your blocks, radiator, and maybe even pump, as those chunks might have damaged your pump. A proper, well maintained watercooling loop should not see any residue whatsoever.
 
ih8spam said:
Thanks, DeathPrincess. I'm not sure if I'll be able to tell when the radiator is "clear", since the existing fluid is already clear. Maybe I'll be (unpleasantly) surprised when I actually start the cleaning process and see chunks come out? :-D

All my blocks are copper. No nickel parts that I know of.
Click to expand...

If the fluid in your reservoir and tubing is still clear after 3 years, then you did a wonderful job and shouldn't have anything to worry about my friend..I've seen people have loops that are completely green/gunky in less then 6 months, so keep doing what you are doing..

As far as using boiling distilled water, since you are just putting it in the radiator (which is metal, not plastic and going to melt) then you are fine..I usually pour in boiling water, let it sit for a minute, shake it around while draining..rinse/repeat..
 
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