Really weird water loop issue

[silverbull3t]

My system seems to be pulling a vacuum on itself. Every so often I will see the level drop, and then when I open the cap to fill it will have a 'suction' sound, and drop the level even more. Somehow it seems like it is pulling a vacuum on itself, and leaking? There is no drips or any signs of a leak anywhere so I am at a complete loss. Have had water loops for about 10-13 years now and first time seeing this. Some of my loop (ie: mcp655, and one of the rads) are from 2008, have been under near 24/7 use and still working fine. Could this be part of the issue?

[GUVII]

I'm planning on doing a loop myself, but what might be helpful for people here is a picture, and what kind of pump you are using, like if you have a D5 pump or something else.

 

The only thing I can think of that might cause this is if you are forcing air though the lines to somewhere else, like the rad or heatsink but it isn't going back to the res, this can possibly cause a vacuum in the line as air is forced out but not put back.

[silverbull3t]

Just now, GUVII said:

I'm planning on doing a loop myself, but what might be helpful for people here is a picture, and what kind of pump you are using, like if you have a D5 pump or something else.

 

The only thing I can think of that might cause this is if you are forcing air though the lines to somewhere else, like the rad or heatsink but it isn't going back to the res, this can possibly cause a vacuum in the line as air is forced out but not put back.

Pump is the original MCP655 from 2008, in a LC Solutions DBAY Res MX. Rest of the loop is a 360mm rad, 240mm rad, and a ek cpu block.

[W-L]

32 minutes ago, silverbull3t said:

My system seems to be pulling a vacuum on itself. Every so often I will see the level drop, and then when I open the cap to fill it will have a 'suction' sound, and drop the level even more. Somehow it seems like it is pulling a vacuum on itself, and leaking? There is no drips or any signs of a leak anywhere so I am at a complete loss. Have had water loops for about 10-13 years now and first time seeing this. Some of my loop (ie: mcp655, and one of the rads) are from 2008, have been under near 24/7 use and still working fine. Could this be part of the issue?

Most loop will experience some pressure build up or vacuum due to differences in temperature causing very small expansion or compression of the air within the loop. This is normal and not usually a problem, as for the changing water levels it sounds like you have a trapped pocket of air somewhere causing that which would be a separate issue. It's not uncommon for air pockets to build in a spot of a loop or for air to not have been bled completely out. 

[AngryBeaver]

Depending on how long the loop has been filled it is mostly likely from air. In my loop I might easily have to add another half to full res or liquid as it gets all the air out of radiators etc.

 

Now if this is a loop that has been running a while and you are suddenly seeing fluid level drops... then I would think it is more than likely a leak.

[silverbull3t]

1 hour ago, AngryBeaver said:

Depending on how long the loop has been filled it is mostly likely from air. In my loop I might easily have to add another half to full res or liquid as it gets all the air out of radiators etc.

 

Now if this is a loop that has been running a while and you are suddenly seeing fluid level drops... then I would think it is more than likely a leak.

This loop has been together for well over a year, I think its a leak too but the weird vac issue? and ontop of that, no signs of a leak at all?

[AngryBeaver]

Do you have a bottom or front rad? I had one with a slow leak that went unnoticed because it was puddling under the pc and not touching anything else in the case.

[silverbull3t]

Just now, AngryBeaver said:

Do you have a bottom or front rad? I had one with a slow leak that went unnoticed because it was puddling under the pc and not touching anything else in the case.

One bottom one top, no  signs of a leak under the PC either (nzxt 820)

[Guest]

8 hours ago, silverbull3t said:

My system seems to be pulling a vacuum on itself. Every so often I will see the level drop, and then when I open the cap to fill it will have a 'suction' sound, and drop the level even more. Somehow it seems like it is pulling a vacuum on itself, and leaking? There is no drips or any signs of a leak anywhere so I am at a complete loss. Have had water loops for about 10-13 years now and first time seeing this. Some of my loop (ie: mcp655, and one of the rads) are from 2008, have been under near 24/7 use and still working fine. Could this be part of the issue?

Check you rads. Sometimes you can have a leak that evaporates via the fans.

[AngryBeaver]

9 hours ago, ShrimpBrime said:

Check you rads. Sometimes you can have a leak that evaporates via the fans.

To expand on this both times I've experienced a leak it was from little extensions that come on most XSPC rads. If I could ditch those things I would, but then fittings don't work right without them.

[Mick Naughty]

Turning the pump speed up causes that. My main rig uses a vent so I’m not too concerned with the vacuum and pressure.