First-timer hardline drain issues....

[Xynnoath]

I've been lurking these forums forever watching the builds I've always wanted.  Finally decided to take the plunge and attempt a hardline loop for the first time!  Attached is a pic of my current setup, sorry it's so dark.  I read and watched many a guide on where to place the drain port, and so I placed it at the lowest point in the loop as I thought I should.  However, when I go to drain the loop (even after pulling the cap off the top of the reservoir) it's only the res that drains, and very little else.  My issue is that my case is about 60-65lbs and I can't be flipping it all over the place to get all the rads and blocks to drain....I know at some point I'll have to flip my front rad over so the in/out are on bottom, and reroute the tube coming from my cpu block to the front rad above my ram instead of below it.  What else can I do to ensure that I will have the easiest time possible when draining this loop?  I've got the coolant I wanted to use, but I can't get all of the system prep and distilled water out of the loop and I'm beginning to freak out thinking it's going to damage the components if I leave the cleaner in too long.  I have two spare ball valves and TONS of extra fittings/connectors so I could redo everything if I need to.  Please help!

[W-L]

17 minutes ago, Xynnoath said:

-SNIP-

Due to the configuration of the loop and how the drain is situated you have pockets where the water level will stay trapped, mainly behind the GPU and front Rad. You have to tip the case and move it around to drain the majority of the loop, that's pretty standard in most situations. 

[For Science!]

2 hours ago, Xynnoath said:

I've been lurking these forums forever watching the builds I've always wanted.  Finally decided to take the plunge and attempt a hardline loop for the first time!  Attached is a pic of my current setup, sorry it's so dark.  I read and watched many a guide on where to place the drain port, and so I placed it at the lowest point in the loop as I thought I should.  However, when I go to drain the loop (even after pulling the cap off the top of the reservoir) it's only the res that drains, and very little else.  My issue is that my case is about 60-65lbs and I can't be flipping it all over the place to get all the rads and blocks to drain....I know at some point I'll have to flip my front rad over so the in/out are on bottom, and reroute the tube coming from my cpu block to the front rad above my ram instead of below it.  What else can I do to ensure that I will have the easiest time possible when draining this loop?  I've got the coolant I wanted to use, but I can't get all of the system prep and distilled water out of the loop and I'm beginning to freak out thinking it's going to damage the components if I leave the cleaner in too long.  I have two spare ball valves and TONS of extra fittings/connectors so I could redo everything if I need to.  Please help!

Flip the front rad, this is what I can drain with gravity only

 

[Xynnoath]

I figured I would need to route the cpu-out tube up above the ram and flip the rad in the front to ports-down. Is the tube from pump to my gpu ok? Or should I redo that one as well to go up from pump-out and then left to gpu-in as well? 

 

As for having to tilt and the like, I know. I'd rather be able to clear as much out so I can just pull the rads and dump the rest out that way. Really just need to find a way to empty the blocks and tubing completely. 

[W-L]

1 minute ago, Xynnoath said:

-SNIP-

The current run from the pump/res to the GPU is fine but the thing is the GPU block being on the side will always trap some fluid since the ports are higher than the bottom of the block. As suggested moving the front rad ports to the bottom will help a lot for removing the fluid from the top rad and blocks. 

 

For your GPU block since it's side mounted I would drain the loop initially, then re-drain it by place the case on it's side (face down) so it allows for the fluid from the GPU block to then make it's way out to the drain. 

[Xynnoath]

47 minutes ago, For Science! said:

Flip the front rad, this is what I can drain with gravity only

 

That's exactly what I'm trying to do. I wish I new people local who could show me in person what to change. I've been at this for almost three weeks trying to figure out everything.

[Xynnoath]

9 minutes ago, W-L said:

The current run from the pump/res to the GPU is fine but the thing is the GPU block being on the side will always trap some fluid since the ports are higher than the bottom of the block. As suggested moving the front rad ports to the bottom will help a lot for removing the fluid from the top rad and blocks. 

 

For your GPU block since it's side mounted I would drain the loop initially, then re-drain it by place the case on it's side (face down) so it allows for the fluid from the GPU block to then make it's way out to the drain. 

I see. I might just remove the vertical mount if it'll be easier to drain it in the future. But it looks so pretty that way!

[W-L]

1 minute ago, Xynnoath said:

I see. I might just remove the vertical mount if it'll be easier to drain it in the future. But it looks so pretty that way!

I'd personally leave it, just take your time when draining to ensure as much is removed before starting to disassembly. Have lots of paper towels on hand just in case of drips or small spills. 

[Xynnoath]

So it's not the absolute end of the universe if some drips hit the components? I've been so careful lol. 

[W-L]

Just now, Xynnoath said:

So it's not the absolute end of the universe if some drips hit the components? I've been so careful lol. 

Well it's not ideal if you get it onto components, every time I've drain and maintenanced a loop you will get a few drips here and there just be ready for it. Most times it's some residual fluid trapped in the threads where you just have paper towel ready under it to catch anything. I usually cap all my blocks with temporary plugs before I move anything out of the case. 

[Xynnoath]

1 minute ago, W-L said:

Well it's not ideal if you get it onto components, every time I've drain and maintenanced a loop you will get a few drips here and there just be ready for it. Most times it's some residual fluid trapped in the threads where you just have paper towel ready under it to catch anything. I usually cap all my blocks with temporary plugs before I move anything out of the case. 

I don't think I have any of the caps that came with the rads. My wife cleaned out everything since we're getting ready to move.

[W-L]

7 minutes ago, Xynnoath said:

I don't think I have any of the caps that came with the rads. My wife cleaned out everything since we're getting ready to move.

You can use a wad of paper towel I've done that before also, works just as well  

[Xynnoath]

1 hour ago, W-L said:

You can use a wad of paper towel I've done that before also, works just as well  

Well now I just feel dumb lol. Shouldn't I worry about all the fibers and other stuff from the towel getting in the rad? I'm beginning to feel I'm over thinking everything haha. 

[W-L]

8 minutes ago, Xynnoath said:

Well now I just feel dumb lol. Shouldn't I worry about all the fibers and other stuff from the towel getting in the rad? I'm beginning to feel I'm over thinking everything haha. 

If your taking apart a loop your cleaning everything right? I guess if your worried about fibers get shop towels they don't tend to break apart as easily. Just don't make the wad so small it can fit completely through the port. 

[Xynnoath]

In the future yea I'm going to take apart everything. Since I'm building it as a show piece, I'm going to be using an opaque coolant and I'll need to be able to take apart the block to clean out the build up. 

[Xynnoath]

When I do take this apart, is it possible to take apart the gpu block the same way as the supremacy evo to clean the channel of debris and build up? I was looking at it earlier and the gpu block has a couple of white flakes of something stuck inside it.

[W-L]

4 minutes ago, Xynnoath said:

When I do take this apart, is it possible to take apart the gpu block the same way as the supremacy evo to clean the channel of debris and build up? I was looking at it earlier and the gpu block has a couple of white flakes of something stuck inside it.

Yes it can be taken apart, you will need to becareful during re-assembly to ensure the oring is properly seated all the way around the block. I'd recommend to give it a good flush first to see if it remove any debris first before attempting to dis-assemble it. 

[Xynnoath]

How does a good flush remove the debris if it doesn't budge while the coolant is flowing through? Maybe I just don't understand it. 

[W-L]

Just now, Xynnoath said:

How does a good flush remove the debris if it doesn't budge while the coolant is flowing through? Maybe I just don't understand it. 

Back flush and shake it around, the flow that the pump goes is always in the same direction, going backwards can help dislodge anything loose. If it's stubborn though and gunked up then you will want to directly go to opening it up.

[Xynnoath]

Oh I get it. So it's still a flush that I would disassemble everything for except for actually dismantling the blocks. 

[W-L]

2 minutes ago, Xynnoath said:

Oh I get it. So it's still a flush that I would disassemble everything for except for actually dismantling the blocks. 

Yes you will still need to take apart the loop and remove the blocks from the card and motherboard to do so.

[Xynnoath]

4 hours ago, W-L said:

Yes you will still need to take apart the loop and remove the blocks from the card and motherboard to do so.

Duly noted thank you! 

 

One more question, is the way I have this loop setup optimal? Or should I be running it so that the coolant is flowing from radiator to radiator instead of

pump > gpu > top rad > cpu > front rad > pump?

 

So something more along the lines of pump > gpu > cpu > rad > rad > pump? And if I were to add the tubing to water cool the vrm as well what would yall recommend the order be for the best Temps? Currently my 8700k is overclocked to 4.7 and I'm idling around 38 and jumping to about 80 under load. I ask bcuz when I dismantle everything to clean it I'm going to redo some of the tubing and don't want to have to do it again except for maintenance lol.

[Lathlaer]

18 minutes ago, Xynnoath said:

Or should I be running it so that the coolant is flowing from radiator to radiator instead of

pump > gpu > top rad > cpu > front rad > pump?

Doesn't matter. The order of the loop is mostly dictated by the way you can route your tubing, nothing more. The coolant temperature will equalize making the order of the components irrelevant to the efficiency of the loop.

 

As long as the reservoir is feeding the pump. you are good to go.

[W-L]

2 hours ago, Xynnoath said:

Duly noted thank you! 

 

One more question, is the way I have this loop setup optimal? Or should I be running it so that the coolant is flowing from radiator to radiator instead of

pump > gpu > top rad > cpu > front rad > pump?

 

So something more along the lines of pump > gpu > cpu > rad > rad > pump? And if I were to add the tubing to water cool the vrm as well what would yall recommend the order be for the best Temps? Currently my 8700k is overclocked to 4.7 and I'm idling around 38 and jumping to about 80 under load. I ask bcuz when I dismantle everything to clean it I'm going to redo some of the tubing and don't want to have to do it again except for maintenance lol.

As said it makes no difference in terms of performance due to how fast the fluid moves around the loop. As long as you have the res above and just before the pump everything will be good.

[Xynnoath]

Thoughts about this particular setup? I had to redo the entire loop again. Just wanted to see if yall think it will drain more efficiently this way, and to see if there's anything I missed before I start bending and leak testing.