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Help Needded!

JC86

Senior member
Jan 18, 2007
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So I have a Zalman Reserator 1 Plus liquid cooling system on my rig and I had to rearrange the PCI slots so I had to disconnect the VGA and CPU lines to move the PCI bracket but as I did it, the residual coolant in the tubes spilled out, maybe like half a cup, all over the motherboard, I wiped off as much as i can but i think there's still some residual coolant on the components. I'm going to let it dry overnight but will any of the dried residue from the coolant harm my board or is it fine after I let it dry? What should I do?
 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
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What are the ingredients in the coolant additives? If it's a biocide with a big dose of ethylene or propylene glycol, I don't believe those compounds are conductive. I thought I recalled someone experimenting with a sealed case that was then filled with anti-freeze, immersing all of the electronic components.

For the water content, just let it dry, and maybe blow out all the nooks and crannies with canned air. To be on the safe side, I'd put the whole rig in a warm and dry place for a couple days.
 

JC86

Senior member
Jan 18, 2007
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its the Zalman G100 -
Composition: Ethylene glycol & anti-corrosion Agent
Freezing Point: -9°C
Effective Duration: 1 year

I'm airing it out and check to see tomorrow how dry it is. I guess it should be fine.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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Originally posted by: JC86
its the Zalman G100 -
Composition: Ethylene glycol & anti-corrosion Agent
Freezing Point: -9°C
Effective Duration: 1 year

I'm airing it out and check to see tomorrow how dry it is. I guess it should be fine.

dont worry. Ive done that tons of time even with the system on live.

If its zalman im pretty sure they use non conductive fliud.


You'll get white spots when the coolant drys because of the ethyl.


My recomendation, it may sound funny, it it will work.

Goto riteaid or any drug store. Buy a bottle of 90% isoproply. Make sure its 90%. No funny smelling additives, get the pure stuff.

And then POUR it on your mobo where you leaked. Rock the board around and let the iso dry.

Repeat it until you used the entire bottle. Then when it drys you wont get a dry spot.


ISO is non conductive, so it wont short anything. And i have done it plenty of times. EVen on my keyboards when i spill something.
 

JC86

Senior member
Jan 18, 2007
694
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So I did all that thought then kept a fan on the motherboard overnight to make sure everything dried off. I then plugged everything back in and booted, it was all fine. Then the $h!t hit the fan so to speak as the computer just suddenly shut down and I saw smoke coming out from the top exhaust fan on my case. I immediately unplug everything and open the case to find that the residual coolant was lodged in the PCI express slot and shorted the slot and burned the slot and my 8800 GTS. I haven't tested it yet but I think i'm down a motherboard and video card. Is there anything I can do to save it?