liquid cooling (air testing the lines)

[karm2865]

I have watched quite a few liquid cooled videos seen build after build when Linus and Co either stress out about or actually messes up and things leak.   I was a utility contractor for years, and that is the experience that makes me wonder why you don't air presser test the cooling system before adding the liquid?

Rig up a T fitting into the system you can use it as a fill hole attach to that a T fitting with a 0-5 psi pressure gauge off the side , connect the other end to a valve, and some kind of air fitting arrangement a Tractor Tire air Valve hose clamped into a piece of tubing works well  and you can use either a bike pump or a compressor be sure to turn the pressure way down. 

or just buy one of these. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IPUCRXK/ref=asc_df_B00IPUCRXK5220065/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00IPUCRXK&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167123274900&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8344412514103572579&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026608&hvtargid=pla-272868395173

it is how they test gas/water /sewer plumbing lines put 3-4 psi on it go to lunch or better overnight and if it holds it will hold air it will hold liquid. way better than running hardware and having to clean up the mess.

[GER_T4IGA]

even 3psi seem like more than such a system would ever have to take. It theoretically sounds plausible to me and I would love to hear about it if you try it. Keep in mind that for a system to be gas tight has to be way more resistent than for liquids.

[xentropa]

It's not a bad idea but I dont think it is necessary.  Water tight and gas tight are different, the latter being more difficult to achieve.

 

If you run your loop without power to the computer, you should be able to find leaks.

[BubblyCharizard]

with air, it would be harder to find the leaks (might be easier to know if there is one though), as you can't really see it, hooking it up to something like an air compressor could unintentionally introduce some particles that you don't want in the loop, such as dust, which could cause issues later.