Water cooling maintennance

[Cs342]

Hi guys,

I've been running my water cooled rig for around 6-7 months now, and was wondering whether or not it is actually necessary to completely take the loop apart for cleaning. I have a transparent reservoir and the coolant is still 100% crystal clear with no gunk (I use clear coolant and colored tubing). Do I really have to take apart the loop even if it isn't dirty? And how would I go about cleaning the parts?

[Woodypc]

No it should fine, if you can see stuff in the loop or you temp start to change quite a bit it should be fine.

[PBaines]

If you were to clean the parts, get a toothbrush with some silver polishing stuff, or copper polishing stuff (depending on blocks), take apart the blocks and scrub any gunk away.

 

 

If your loop is still crystal clear there is nothing to worry about, when it starts having a green tinge you know it is time to replace the fluid

[Cs342]

If you were to clean the parts, get a toothbrush with some silver polishing stuff, or copper polishing stuff (depending on blocks), take apart the blocks and scrub any gunk away.

 

 

If your loop is still crystal clear there is nothing to worry about, when it starts having a green tinge you know it is time to replace the fluid

So the "every 6 months" thing is purely a myth? I see lots of people on the forums taking their rigs apart every half a year for complete maintenance, but this is my first water cooling loop so I'm not sure whether I need to do that.

[PBaines]

Well, to put it bluntly. Yes. Maybe if you want to ensure your blocks are still perfect every 6 months then that would be all right. Just think of AIO Watercooled units, you never have to replace the fluid in those things. 

 

Though even if you have got perfect clear fluid in your build, it is still good practice to ensure that everything is still good under the hood. But if it were me, I tend to be quite lazy. would probably redo the loop once a year or so :D

[Cs342]

Well, to put it bluntly. Yes. Maybe if you want to ensure your blocks are still perfect every 6 months then that would be all right. Just think of AIO Watercooled units, you never have to replace the fluid in those things. 

 

Though even if you have got perfect clear fluid in your build, it is still good practice to ensure that everything is still good under the hood. But if it were me, I tend to be quite lazy. would probably redo the loop once a year or so :D

By "redo" the loop do you mean getting new waterblocks, radiators etc.? 

[Woodypc]

By "redo" the loop do you mean getting new waterblocks, radiators etc.? 

No, redoing the coolant by maybe flushing the loop and refilling.

[Cs342]

No, redoing the coolant by maybe flushing the loop and refilling.

But no need to take apart the waterblock, radiator etc right? 

[Woodypc]

But no need to take apart the waterblock, radiator etc right? 

Yep

[Ghost]

But no need to take apart the waterblock, radiator etc right? 

Sometimes plasticizer can leach from the tubes which can then cause blockages in your loop. Sometimes corrosion can occur. That's why you need to service your loop.

 

If you plan your loop well then a loop can last a really long time.

[Cs342]

Sometimes plasticizer can leach from the tubes which can then cause blockages in your loop. Sometimes corrosion can occur. That's why you need to service your loop.

 

If you plan your loop well then a loop can last a really long time.

How long can I leave a loop before I absolutely have to clean it? A year? 2 years?

[Ghost]

How long can I leave a loop before I absolutely have to clean it? A year? 2 years?

A lot depends on the loop. You should clean it once a year or so.

[Cs342]

A lot depends on the loop. You should clean it once a year or so.

Could you please explain the process behind how to clean it?

[Ghost]

Could you please explain the process behind how to clean it?

1. Drain the loop.
2. Clean the water blocks by taking them apart and washing them out (with water or diluted vinegar/citric acid).
3. Change the tubing and the coolant.

[Cs342]

 

1. Drain the loop.
2. Clean the water blocks by taking them apart and washing them out (with water or diluted vinegar/citric acid).
3. Change the tubing and the coolant.

 

Seems simple enough :) Can I reuse the old tubing or is it an absolute must to use new tubing? Also, can I wash the parts out by draining the loop and then attaching the pump's inlet tube to a bucket of distilled water and running it through?

[Ghost]

Seems simple enough :) Can I reuse the old tubing or is it an absolute must to use new tubing? Also, can I wash the parts out by draining the loop and then attaching the pump's inlet tube to a bucket of distilled water and running it through?

Tubing degrades over time, the only tubing you don't need to replace is acrylic tubing.

 

Yes but if you cycle the water you will need to repeat it a few times. until the water comes out clean.

[Cs342]

Tubing degrades over time, the only tubing you don't need to replace is acrylic tubing.

 

Yes but if you cycle the water you will need to repeat it a few times. until the water comes out clean.

If I use the cycle water method, then I will not need to remove the waterblock and radiator right?

[Ghost]

If I use the cycle water method, then I will not need to remove the waterblock and radiator right?

I would still take apart the water blocks to check if there is any debris in them but technically no. You would only be saving an hour or two rushing this and you only need to do it once a year.

[Cs342]

I would still take apart the water blocks to check if there is any debris in them but technically no. You would only be saving an hour or two rushing this and you only need to do it once a year.

Okay, thanks for the help :)

Do you recommend using a vacuum cleaner to clean out the dust (if any) inside the radiator fins?

[Ghost]

Okay, thanks for the help :)

Do you recommend using a vacuum cleaner to clean out the dust (if any) inside the radiator fins?

I have done it in the past but I wouldn't recommend it. As long as you don't touch the radiator with the vacuum and turn it down it should be fine. Remember the fins are very delicate.,

[Cs342]

I have done it in the past but I wouldn't recommend it. As long as you don't touch the radiator with the vacuum and turn it down it should be fine. Remember the fins are very delicate.,

My vacuum cleaner has a brush extension so the end is very soft and can pass through most tiny gaps

[Ghost]

My vacuum cleaner has a brush extension so the end is very soft and can pass through most tiny gaps

Definitely don't poke your brush into the fins, no matter how soft it is.

[PBaines]

Of course you can use a vacuum cleaner. Just put the brush attachment on the end.

Personally I've use an air compressor

[Cs342]

Would it be enough to just open the reservoir and add some biocide? Wouldn't that be sufficient to kill the bacteria that may have built up in the loop?

[Hoppa]

Definitely don't poke your brush into the fins, no matter how soft it is.

haha that's what I used to do with my old AIO cooler rad.

It works but yeah... I wouldn't recommend it