Going liquid cooled. Experts chime in on parts!

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dawp

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
11,347
2,709
136
that is one reason I like the worm drive clamps. you can get them at hardware and automotive stores. The ones I'm using are about 1/4" wide and will go down to less than 1/2" in diameter.

I got the ones I'm using at home depot.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
20,894
3,246
126
Ugh, more leaks... I don't get it, I fix one, and another starts... Found the 2nd leak, letting things dry over night then going to go at it again tomorrow with a vice grip on the clamps and see if i can get it sealed up.

where are these leaks happening?

is it because the torque from the tubing is loosing the barbs?
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
The machine will boot into safe mode and both cards are detected in device manager. However the system will not load into normal windows with drivers installed for the cards. Looks like one of the cards might have gotten owned by the leak or windows got foobar'd somehow :(

I'm going to try and boot a linux distro from a USB drive and see if it can boot normally.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
That sounds like a power issue. Total drying takes 24 hrs.

So have I foobar'd everything by trying too soon? I let it dry for about 12 hours before trying redoing the clamps and trying again. Or is there yet hope for revival after waiting for more drying?
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
where are these leaks happening?

is it because the torque from the tubing is loosing the barbs?

It was happening at my parallel GPU tubing points. The first leak was caused by an O-ring getting deformed from me clamping it down too hard (I think). The 2nd leak was caused by the plastic clamps not being clamped on the hoses hard enough. This 2nd leak leaked under the VGA block of the 2nd card. I think I may try and dismantle the loop (AGAIN), remove the 2nd card's block and see if it is still damp, and attack it with a hair dryer.

I shouldn't have to worry about residue should I? I used clean distilled water every time I filled the loop, I never reused water.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
Got the loop apart, and the 2nd card dismantled. It felt like there was still some moisture in there. The water got to the VRMs on the 2nd card. I thought 12 hours would be enough.... Nothing looks exploded, there is some residue where water has dried, I'm not sure if it will be a problem or not, the water was clean distilled and the residue is probably just dust it displaced.

The 1st card is dismantled, not nearly as much water got in this one, judging by the residue it just got to the memory. Not dampness felt on the 1st card. Both are now going to sit until tomorrow afternoon and hope that any moisture left over will have disappeared by then.

My odds aren't too good are they? Especially worried about the 2nd card, the VRMs got completely covered, judging by the residue on the block. The 1st card I think is fine, but the 2nd card could be toast...

Lesson: never, ever use cheap plastic clamps. Thankfully 6950s are still unlockable and can be had for ~250.
 
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aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
20,894
3,246
126
well to be honest i dont think clamps would of been the problem.

You probably were leaking at the oring, from either too much compression or to little.

And no dont worry about the residue if any.

Use alcohol and wipe it clean if it bothers ya.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
well to be honest i dont think clamps would of been the problem.

You probably were leaking at the oring, from either too much compression or to little.

And no dont worry about the residue if any.

Use alcohol and wipe it clean if it bothers ya.

I think it was clamps on the 2nd leak. The first time I clamped things down I used a vice grip to get them on there snug, the 2nd time I didn't...

The 1st was caused by an O-ring I think.

So your prognosis? my hardware will survive once dry?
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
20,894
3,246
126
I think it was clamps on the 2nd leak. The first time I clamped things down I used a vice grip to get them on there snug, the 2nd time I didn't...

The 1st was caused by an O-ring I think.

So your prognosis? my hardware will survive once dry?

mmmm well u should of dryed everything b4 going back live.

So i cant make a prognosis.

Ive had cards die like that, and not die like that, so its best left to the hardware god.
 

Elganja

Platinum Member
May 21, 2007
2,143
24
81
this is why you do leak testing with the computer off and just the pumps running for 24hours at the minimum (simple jumper for the PSU) ... and put paper towels in many places to catch potential leaks

i hope this isn't an expensive lesson for you... and yeah, compression fittings ftw, I didn't even mess with the clamps or zip ties
 
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Morg.

Senior member
Mar 18, 2011
242
0
0
Quick question here, why do you insist on passive drying ?
That stuff is meant to handle 70+ temps, put it in the oven xD
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
20,894
3,246
126
Quick question here, why do you insist on passive drying ?
That stuff is meant to handle 70+ temps, put it in the oven xD

not higher then 90C....

but otherwords..
+1 or sit it outside in direct sun.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
this is why you do leak testing with the computer off and just the pumps running for 24hours at the minimum (simple jumper for the PSU) ... and put paper towels in many places to catch potential leaks

i hope this isn't an expensive lesson for you... and yeah, compression fittings ftw, I didn't even mess with the clamps or zip ties

I leak tested for a good 6-8 hours on the first assembly, after leak testing all the blocks for 24 hours. The 1st leak sprung after 2 weeks of normal use. Sometimes leak testing doesn't solve everything.
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
As of 1pm today, I'm calling it. The card did not survive :( I put the air cooler back on and loaded it in my computer and got no video at all. At least the same card is on sale at newegg right now..
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
20,894
3,246
126
As of 1pm today, I'm calling it. The card did not survive :( I put the air cooler back on and loaded it in my computer and got no video at all. At least the same card is on sale at newegg right now..

ugh sorry to hear about that...

is the other card fine tho?


If you want clamp advice... these are what i use:
http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=715
IMG_1352.jpg


They hold the tubing very well.
So well, i can grab even a rad complex from the tubing and not worry about it slipping off.
 
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Elganja

Platinum Member
May 21, 2007
2,143
24
81
I leak tested for a good 6-8 hours on the first assembly, after leak testing all the blocks for 24 hours. The 1st leak sprung after 2 weeks of normal use. Sometimes leak testing doesn't solve everything.

ouch that sucks man :(

sorry to hear that... i understand your frustrations... trust me. I personally would invest in some compression fittings or the clamps that aigo recommended
 

OVerLoRDI

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2006
5,490
4
81
My new clamping method is hose clamps from home depot. Like these: http://www.sz-wholesale.com/uploadFiles/Hose%20Clamps_951.jpg Those are what I'll be using till I can save up for some compression fittings.

I'm not going to sweat it to much, its a bummer (and an expensive one) but I lost no data and learned valuable lessons. New card is on its way and will be added to the loop once it gets here.

Lessons learned:
1. Use real clamps, not plastic clicky ones. (If you have to use plastic clicky clamps use a vice grip to get them REALLY snug on the tubing)
2. Do not over tighten fittings, this can cause the O-ring to fail.

Hopefully this thread will save some other soul some $ and minor grief.

Oh, a happier note, my 140mm radiator gets here today, so I'll be installing that, then next week the next 6970 will get added in, and I'll up load new picks with my loop order redone and +1 Radiator :D
 

Lightflash

Senior member
Oct 12, 2010
274
0
71
If I was not using compression fittings, the clamps that Aigo linked are some of the best around.

Hate to hear that you had a leak after 2 weeks of use. Not fun having to buy another part to replace something you just got.
 

Elganja

Platinum Member
May 21, 2007
2,143
24
81
New card arrived. Unlocked it, put the block on it, added it to the loop with my 140mm radiator, and new loop complete. Temps are awesome. My DC program only brings heat up to 45C on both cards when overclocked to 970mhz@1.24v. CPU runs at 37C at full tilt when GPUs aren't warming things up. CPU idles around 26C.

http://img813.imageshack.us/i/20810810150539184820077.jpg/

looks nice!!!

I see a modular psu in your future to clear up a bunch of that cabling :p