So my EKWB Predator 360 leaked...

[Setecastronomy]

So I got an email about potentially defective Predator units from EKWB.  Shut down my system to investigate, and sure enough, the cpu block was leaking.  
But it gets better, it leaked out of the CPU block and down onto the graphics card pcb, right near where it plugs into the PCI-E lane, and got coolant INSIDE the PCI-E port!
But it kept going, the coolant kept dripping down the motherboard PCB all the way down to the USB connectors, corroding every copper trace it came into contact with.  

I've totally dismantled the build and the motherboard is currently sitting on my workbench, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to dry it out.  What leaked out isn't just water, it's whatever coolant was inside the Predator AIO unit, and if im not mistaken these coolants are designed NOT to evaporate, correct?  

 

Honestly, even if I can get the motherboard 100% dry, I think the damage may already have been done as far as corroding the traces.  

As for the graphics card, it's a 980ti, that I have a full-cover EK block on, pre-filled with the Quick-disconnect couplings so it was in a loop with the predator 360.  So even if the graphics card wasn't damaged at all by the liquid, it's basically a paperweight if it isn't connected to a Predator 360 with the quick-disconnect couplers.  

So my question is, anyone have any experience in dealing with EKWB customer service?  The original email I got about the potentially defective unit said they will be giving free replacements for defective units, but can I expect them to do anything at all about the motherboard and/or GPU?

 

This really sucks, this was my first experience with a (semi) custom water-cooling loop.  I've heard nothing but good things about EKWB.  I was so nervous putting the water-block on the 980ti, and installing the predator 360 was nerve-racking, and I was so nervous about screwing something up the whole time, now it turns out the damn thing leaks all over my system not because of some noob mistake I made, but because of a defective o-ring!  
 

[beach_boy98]

Dry it out before turning it back on or give it an alcohol bath.

[Enderman]

Sorry that happened to you

this is not the first time ive heard of the predator CPU block leaking

 

hopefully they can fix that for free, and maybe use the supremacy EVO block next time instead of the cheaper budget block....

[ImBleu]

I had my Corsair H100i leak on me and Corsair took my whole computer (GPU, CPU, Mobo, PSU & AIO) and once they determined the damage was from my H100i they gave me a new AIO (the H105) and refunded me the retail cost of the remaining parts of my system (which included GPU, CPU, PSU & Mobo). The whole process took just over 2 weeks to handle.

 

 

I'd contact EK's Customer Service about the limits of an RMA through EK for the rest of your system which might have been damaged. Rather let them determine there is something wrong with it than you voiding your own warranty trying to pull everything apart.

 

@EK Luc

[Altecice]

Make sure you have plenty of pictures and contact them about damaged goods.

[EK Luc]

As far as I know, we only cover the EK parts in the RMA

[ImBleu]

As far as I know, we only cover the EK parts in the RMA

 

Ouch

 

Best of luck @Setecastronomy

[shawn finkenstead]

So I got an email about potentially defective Predator units from EKWB.  Shut down my system to investigate, and sure enough, the cpu block was leaking.  

But it gets better, it leaked out of the CPU block and down onto the graphics card pcb, right near where it plugs into the PCI-E lane, and got coolant INSIDE the PCI-E port!

But it kept going, the coolant kept dripping down the motherboard PCB all the way down to the USB connectors, corroding every copper trace it came into contact with.  

I've totally dismantled the build and the motherboard is currently sitting on my workbench, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to dry it out.  What leaked out isn't just water, it's whatever coolant was inside the Predator AIO unit, and if im not mistaken these coolants are designed NOT to evaporate, correct?  

 

Honestly, even if I can get the motherboard 100% dry, I think the damage may already have been done as far as corroding the traces.  

As for the graphics card, it's a 980ti, that I have a full-cover EK block on, pre-filled with the Quick-disconnect couplings so it was in a loop with the predator 360.  So even if the graphics card wasn't damaged at all by the liquid, it's basically a paperweight if it isn't connected to a Predator 360 with the quick-disconnect couplers.  

So my question is, anyone have any experience in dealing with EKWB customer service?  The original email I got about the potentially defective unit said they will be giving free replacements for defective units, but can I expect them to do anything at all about the motherboard and/or GPU?

 

This really sucks, this was my first experience with a (semi) custom water-cooling loop.  I've heard nothing but good things about EKWB.  I was so nervous putting the water-block on the 980ti, and installing the predator 360 was nerve-racking, and I was so nervous about screwing something up the whole time, now it turns out the damn thing leaks all over my system not because of some noob mistake I made, but because of a defective o-ring!  

 

I don't know how I got so lucky but I caught mine as soon as it started leaking. Mine started leaking from the front though. Hope your board and card are ok.

[0ld_Chicken]

snip

 

This really sucks, this was my first experience with a (semi) custom water-cooling loop.  I've heard nothing but good things about EKWB.  I was so nervous putting the water-block on the 980ti, and installing the predator 360 was nerve-racking, and I was so nervous about screwing something up the whole time, now it turns out the damn thing leaks all over my system not because of some noob mistake I made, but because of a defective o-ring!  

 

well at least YOU turned your system off to investigate.  I feel like the chances of saving your hardware are pretty good if everything was running and working when your shut it down to investigate. cleaning it off with the highest % rubbing alcohol you can find should clean it off, and hopefully the liquid hasn't been there long enough to cause any corrosion issues.  

edit: obviously let it dry for 1-2 days after cleaning it

 

As far as I know, we only cover the EK parts in the RMA

is this an issue that all supremacy MX owners are facing?  I've got a MX in my pc right now (from a L120 R2.0 kit, bought from performance-pcs.com) and I'm getting a little nervous to be honest.  I've got another CPU block on hand if it would be wise to get a new o-ring for the MX.  

[Setecastronomy]

 

I don't think any physical damage was done to the graphics card, like I said, the system never shorted out or anything and it was running WHILE the CPU block was leaking.  I cleaned off as much of the spilled coolant as I could see from the graphics card using 99% alcohol, and currently letting it sit out to dry.  The problem with the graphics card is that it has a water block on it, pre-filled with the QDC connectors, so I can't just throw it in another system and check to see if it's okay.  I have to wait for a replacement Predator 360 to show up before I can find out if my graphics card that I've got $900 invested in is now a paper-weight...

 

As for the motherboard, I'm still trying to get all the spilled coolant off of it, it seeped underneath where the onboard battery is, and I can't seem to get it all out, every time I try spraying it with compressed air, more and more coolant comes out.  Honestly, as of right now I've all but written the motherboard off as dead.  I don't feel comfortable putting my 5820k back into that socket and even trying to let it post.  I mean, maybe it's okay, but if something does short-circuit, I don't want to lost my $400 CPU as well as my $225 motherboard.  

[Setecastronomy]

well at least YOU turned your system off to investigate.  I feel like the chances of saving your hardware are pretty good if everything was running and working when your shut it down to investigate. cleaning it off with the highest % rubbing alcohol you can find should clean it off, and hopefully the liquid hasn't been there long enough to cause any corrosion issues.  

edit: obviously let it dry for 1-2 days after cleaning it

 

is this an issue that all supremacy MX owners are facing?  I've got a MX in my pc right now (from a L120 R2.0 kit, bought from performance-pcs.com) and I'm getting a little nervous to be honest.  I've got another CPU block on hand if it would be wise to get a new o-ring for the MX.  

The original E-mail I got from EKWB stated that it only affected units manufactured after Nov. 1st.  So as long as your MX block was made/assembled before then, I'm guessing it's unaffected by the o-ring issue.  

[W-L]

12311263_938154499608078_5939510834028734365_n.jpg

I don't think any physical damage was done to the graphics card, like I said, the system never shorted out or anything and it was running WHILE the CPU block was leaking.  I cleaned off as much of the spilled coolant as I could see from the graphics card using 99% alcohol, and currently letting it sit out to dry.  The problem with the graphics card is that it has a water block on it, pre-filled with the QDC connectors, so I can't just throw it in another system and check to see if it's okay.  I have to wait for a replacement Predator 360 to show up before I can find out if my graphics card that I've got $900 invested in is now a paper-weight...

As for the motherboard, I'm still trying to get all the spilled coolant off of it, it seeped underneath where the onboard battery is, and I can't seem to get it all out, every time I try spraying it with compressed air, more and more coolant comes out.  Honestly, as of right now I've all but written the motherboard off as dead.  I don't feel comfortable putting my 5820k back into that socket and even trying to let it post.  I mean, maybe it's okay, but if something does short-circuit, I don't want to lost my $400 CPU as well as my $225 motherboard.  

 

For the motherboard it didn't look like very much fluid got on it but if you want to be 100% sure before putting your hardware in it, after cleaning as much as you can physically you can soak/bath the entire motherboard in 99% isopropyl alcohol to displace of any fluid and dissolve any else that may still be there.

[EK Luc]

is this an issue that all supremacy MX owners are facing?  I've got a MX in my pc right now (from a L120 R2.0 kit, bought from performance-pcs.com) and I'm getting a little nervous to be honest.  I've got another CPU block on hand if it would be wise to get a new o-ring for the MX.  

 

When did you bought your kit?

[0ld_Chicken]

When did you bought your kit?

September 1st of this year

[shawn finkenstead]

September 1st of this year

 

Think I seen somewhere that it refers to blocks made after November 1.

[EK Luc]

September 1st of this year

 

No you're safe.  It's the unit produced after November 1st.

[Benji_w]

I was going to get one of these for my gf as a surprise gift but I think I'll just go custom loop. Very disappointing indeed.

 

I hope your parts are ok, I really wish AIO or CLC kits had warranty on parts if they leak and damage them as they're obviously not fit for purpose if they leak...

[AlphaBravo]

I just discovered that my Predator 360 has also started to leak at the block.

 

I purchased it at Microcenter, and I will be returning it tomorrow or Monday.

[ImBleu]

I was going to get one of these for my gf as a surprise gift but I think I'll just go custom loop. Very disappointing indeed.

 

I hope your parts are ok, I really wish AIO or CLC kits had warranty on parts if they leak and damage them as they're obviously not fit for purpose if they leak...

 

Check out Corsair. I had my H100i leak and they replaced my H100i and my parts that were affected (CPU, GPU, PSU & Mobo) all for free and within 2 weeks.

 

 

I just discovered that my Predator 360 has also started to leak at the block.

 

I purchased it at Microcenter, and I will be returning it tomorrow or Monday.

 

Yea there are like 5 too many reports of leaks for me to buy the Predator 360.

[EK Luc]

I just discovered that my Predator 360 has also started to leak at the block.

 

I purchased it at Microcenter, and I will be returning it tomorrow or Monday.

 

Sorry about that

 

MC will issue the RMA no problems

[alexyy]

Sorry about that

 

MC will issue the RMA no problems

 

Has the issues been fixed now? are we safe to buy? 

[EK Luc]

Has the issues been fixed now? are we safe to buy? 

 

It should but it looks like some of our resellers didn't read the memo and still sell units that are prone to leak.  If you're buying it from our webshop directly then yes it will be fine since obviously the units we have in our stock have been fixed.

[ImBleu]

It should but it looks like some of our resellers didn't read the memo and still sell units that are prone to leak.  If you're buying it from our webshop directly then yes it will be fine since obviously the units we have in our stock have been fixed.

 

Slightly on a tangent - Would the Predator work mounted in the front of a case or in the bottom of the case? I don't want it above the motherboard in the "default" location. I also think that if the leak were to come from somewhere other than the CPU block, at least it'd be out the way to not screw up anything valuable in my system.

[EK Luc]

Slightly on a tangent - Would the Predator work mounted in the front of a case or in the bottom of the case? I don't want it above the motherboard in the "default" location. I also think that if the leak were to come from somewhere other than the CPU block, at least it'd be out the way to not screw up anything valuable in my system.

 

Not in the bottom but in the front (ports up or down) it will be fine.

[0ld_Chicken]

12311263_938154499608078_5939510834028734365_n.jpg

I don't think any physical damage was done to the graphics card, like I said, the system never shorted out or anything and it was running WHILE the CPU block was leaking.  I cleaned off as much of the spilled coolant as I could see from the graphics card using 99% alcohol, and currently letting it sit out to dry.  The problem with the graphics card is that it has a water block on it, pre-filled with the QDC connectors, so I can't just throw it in another system and check to see if it's okay.  I have to wait for a replacement Predator 360 to show up before I can find out if my graphics card that I've got $900 invested in is now a paper-weight...

 

As for the motherboard, I'm still trying to get all the spilled coolant off of it, it seeped underneath where the onboard battery is, and I can't seem to get it all out, every time I try spraying it with compressed air, more and more coolant comes out.  Honestly, as of right now I've all but written the motherboard off as dead.  I don't feel comfortable putting my 5820k back into that socket and even trying to let it post.  I mean, maybe it's okay, but if something does short-circuit, I don't want to lost my $400 CPU as well as my $225 motherboard.  

so... any luck?