XSPC Radiator/Pump Cleaning

[Dasteroes]

I have a system consisting of a 2 XSPC triple bay rads, a single bay XSPC rad and two pumps. These are from 2012, I’m not sure the exact model. My question is what is the best way to flush them completely? I have been lazy and only done distilled water in the past. I’m upgrading the whole system and putting in new tubing and want it to be like new again. What should i use and how should I do it?

[For Science!]

6 minutes ago, Dasteroes said:

I have a system consisting of a 2 XSPC triple bay rads, a single bay XSPC rad and two pumps. These are from 2012, I’m not sure the exact model. My question is what is the best way to flush them completely? I have been lazy and only done distilled water in the past. I’m upgrading the whole system and putting in new tubing and want it to be like new again. What should i use and how should I do it?

For deep cleansing, I would recommend you to look at Mayhems Blitz Part 1 and 2.

[Dasteroes]

59 minutes ago, For Science! said:

For deep cleansing, I would recommend you to look at Mayhems Blitz Part 1 and 2.

Hmm, it does seem to work very well. I can’t seem to find one that will deliver this weekend, which is when I was hoping to be operational 

[Dasteroes]

10 minutes ago, Dasteroes said:

Hmm, it does seem to work very well. I can’t seem to find one that will deliver this weekend, which is when I was hoping to be operational 

 

1 hour ago, For Science! said:

For deep cleansing, I would recommend you to look at Mayhems Blitz Part 1 and 2.

I read that Vinegar could be an alternative but due to the high PH it may damage the copper. Would rinsing with soap and distilled water be enough to balance it?

[For Science!]

44 minutes ago, Dasteroes said:

 

I read that Vinegar could be an alternative but due to the high PH it may damage the copper. Would rinsing with soap and distilled water be enough to balance it?

If you use vinegar (low pH), I would just use plenty plenty plenty of water and just dilute it out. If paranoid, do a double exchange with a coolant.

[Dasteroes]

56 minutes ago, For Science! said:

If you use vinegar (low pH), I would just use plenty plenty plenty of water and just dilute it out. If paranoid, do a double exchange with a coolant.

I meant low pH, thank you for clarifying. Do you think 8-10 rinses with distilled water would do? And what do you mean double exchange?

[For Science!]

4 minutes ago, Dasteroes said:

I meant low pH, thank you for clarifying. Do you think 8-10 rinses with distilled water would do? And what do you mean double exchange?

Run some coolant, let it run in the system for a day, then drain it, and refill with fresh coolant.

[bowrilla]

Mayhems' Blitz is mostly phosphoric acid - it's MUCH stronger than vinegar. The vinegar approach takes a lot longer but it works as well. The classic Cillit bang actually works as well - it has some phosphoric acid in it as well. At the end of the day, you'll need a cleaner that is capable of dissolving copper oxide, flux and solder residues and probably even some grease.

 

It can be okay to just flush the radiators with warm (potentially soapy) water and a final flush with distilled water, however you'll never know how the inside exactly looks like, how much corrosion and gunk there is. Some coolants are pretty robust and you wont risk quick build up or colour shifts, others however are extremely sensitive and will chemically react with some of the gunk inside of your radiator. The result varies from colour shift to extreme build up. The worst reaction is probably to be expected from some of the showcase fluids like Vue - something you probably don't want to use in your everyday rig anyways.

 

Mayhems has a video showing both the Blitz and the vinegar method: 

 

P.S.: NONE of those cleaners should come into contact with your pump! Warm water (if necessary add mild detergants) should be absolutely enough. Same for blocks and reservoirs. Blocks can also be cleaned with a toothbrush (the metal part obviously, I wouldn't touch acrylic with a toothbrush).