Need help to fix a radiator leak

[Jonsio]

Hi,
I bought a new black ice 2 radiator and while testing my new watercooling setup for leak, I found out 1 of the fittings of the rad was leaking. I tightened it to very tight already, but it did not fix the leak. The fitting already has sealant tape on it, should I buy and apply another layer of tape? What else can I do to fix this?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[akira34]

If you get some teflon tape (or plumbing/pipe tape) don't just apply more on top. Remove the old and put all new on... You want to apply the new tape in the opposite direction to how the fitting tightens. You also want to go just snug, maybe 1/4 turn beyond that. Any tighter and you risk breakage of the fitting. You might get 1/2 turn over snug, but be careful on that. If that doesn't work, consider getting a replacement fitting for that line. Or apply some silicon around the fitting. Silicon is more of a stop-gap measure then one that should be seriously considered. You're better off getting it to be leak free without that than with it.

 

[TRUMPHENT]

Akira34 gave good advice. I would suggest also, take the leaking joint apart and inspect it. Make sure you didn't inadvertently crack something by overtightening. That would be leak you will never stop.

 

[iamtrout]

I've used sealant and I find that it works extremely well. If the teflon doesn't stop the leak, Plumber's Goop will. It's kind of like silicon sealant but after it cures it's rock hard and completely waterproof. If you do this, make sure to let it cure why dry (i.e. don't attempt to run your loop while the goop is in the process of curing).

 

[akira34]

There's also plumbers/pipe tape in a tube that I've used before when I had trouble wrapping fittings with the tape. Just make sure you follow the instructions on use/application. I tend to avoid the goop since it tends to be a perm. type deal. If you want to ever change the fitting (for whatever reason) that will make it more difficult. The tape, and it's tube based cousin, are meant for cases where you probably want to be able to change things. That's why plumbers use threaded fittings in places and don't just solder everything.

 

[Elvis2]

Plumber's Goop will. It's kind of like silicon sealant

i just used some of this myself on my resevoir and it worked just fine. i guess teflon tape didn't work too well with plastic fittings and a polyurethene tank.

 

[Jonsio]

Thanks folks, I'll try out replacing the tape and also apply tube sealant first, if these still doesn't fix it, I'll be RMAing the thing.

 

[Jonsio]

One funny thing though (excuse me as it's my first time with these things), after I tightened it, the leak was only when the pump was running and when I turned it off and left it a few hours it didn't leak.

 

[akira34]

Sounds like when it's under pressure you're getting the leak... How bad of a leak is it? After you let it sit, and came back, does it leak still or has the leak gone away?

 

[Jonsio]

It was about a drop per second. The pump was a Laing type like the MCP650, came as part of a DD TDX kit.

Finally the leak stopped after I re-applied about 7 layers of sealant tape. I noticed the original tape was not scratched at all so it must be too loose. I first applied about 3 layers, still got leaks and noticed the tape was also not scratched much. Then I thought of reapplying again (before opting for a sealant goop as a last resort) and it finally stopped the leak. I'm now doing a 1 day leak test before mounting the TDX WC rig to my CPU.

Thanks for the help, folks!