Water cooling leaking. (help!)

[muskie32]

I have put together my WC system outside the computer to test it for leaking. Everything runs smooth except i keep getting a leak on both the input and output on the Rad. I have removed and re-put in the bits, changed tubing, and used a few diff clamps, but i still keep getting the leek...

Here is a list of what i have:

Swiftech MCRES-MICRO™ Rev. 2 Reservoir

Koolance QDC (High Flow) No-Spill Shutoff

Danger Den FB (Fat Boy) G 1/4 Fittings

Bitspower G1/4" Low-Profile Stop Fitting with O-ring

Black Ice® GTS Gen Two Stealth 280 Highest Performance Radiator

Swiftech MCP355™ 12 VDC Pump

NEW Koolance QDC (High Flow) No-Spill Shutoff
Livingstone Ultimate CPU Water Block

Fitting Size: 3/8" Barb for 3/8" ID tube

Stainless Steel Shielded Hose Clamps

NEW PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing -3/8in. ID X 1/2in. OD

Koolance QDC (High Flow) No-Spill Shutoff






This is totally driving me nuts

Do you think it could be the rad is bad? (i sure hope not...) Or could it be i have bad fittings?


Thanks for any help!

 

[Jimmah]

Have you tried any teflon or silicon?

Your list is ridiculously difficult to read and has irrelevant information.

 

[Zap]

Try cleaning the threads in the rad and the barb with a brush, and using some teflon tape on the threads. Also, make sure the tubing fits the barb. Even if it is the right size, if the fit is a bit loose then you may need different tubing. For better clamping, use a metal hose clamp that screws on - just a couple bucks at your local hardware store. If the tubing is starting to take the shape of the barb even when removed, maybe try trimming that part off to start fresh?

 

[muskie32]

Yeah, sorry about the list... I was in a hurry to get somewhere.


Ok, i will get some of that tape, and clean the barbs today. I also was using metal clamps.

What tubing would you recommend? I was using:

PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing -3/8in. ID X 1/2in. OD

Thanks!

 

[Zap]

I don't have a tubing recommendation, other than making sure it fits. The times I've done water cooling, the tubing has been tight enough on the barbs that I didn't need any clamps. In fact, it was damned difficult to put the tubing on the barbs, and even worse getting it off the barbs. If your tubing slips on super easily, then maybe it is too big ID?

 

[muskie32]

I does slip on those barbs rather easy, all the other barbs i put it on where actually hard to put on

So i am guessing 2 diff barbs..
I think i am going to order 2 of these:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=21387

 

[nitromullet]

You need to determine where the leak is actually coming from. It's either going to be from the hose not making a good seal with the barb or the barb leaking at the threads.

If it's leaking at the threads, it's most likely the o-ring is not making a good seal. Check that the thread area is completely free of any debris and make sure your o-rings are clean as well. Also, check to make sure the barbs are on there tight enough, but not too tight. I have had really good results using a socket that fits the barb to tighten down fittings. Use the socket only (without the ratchet), and just hand tighten with the barb with the socket.

If it's leaking at the hose it either means the hose/barb ID/OD don't match, or you are not clamping it on correctly. What hose clamps are you using, specifically?

 

[Gillbot]

I would recommend against teflon tape unless you can apply it properly. I wouldn't want chunks of it floating around in my loop. Are you using the proper o-rings on the fittings? Are you over tightening the fittings?

 

[nitromullet]

I would recommend against teflon tape unless you can apply it properly. I wouldn't want chunks of it floating around in my loop. Are you using the proper o-rings on the fittings? Are you over tightening the fittings?

It's almost impossible to over tighten the DD fatboy fittings:

The o-ring is recessed, so you can't over tighten and squish the o-ring out. I've actually broken a Bp true silver fitting before (why I don't use a ratchet anymore), and the o-ring was still seated properly on the half that was attached to the rad.

I know the recessed o-ring can cause problems if the radiator is also recessed, such as Bp compression fittings and Swiftech rads, because the space between the two surfaces is too large for the o-ring to make a seal.

I don't think the Black Ice GTS is recessed though, so I'm confused on what the OP's issue might be if his leak is at the threads.

 

[Gillbot]

You can overtighten them, I've done it. If you have an imperfect seat, tightening them to more than "snug" may over-compress the oring and allow a leak. I had that happen on a couple blocks where I had a trickle of a leak but backing them off a 1/4 turn or so solved the problem.

 

[aigomorla]

I would recommend against teflon tape unless you can apply it properly. I wouldn't want chunks of it floating around in my loop. Are you using the proper o-rings on the fittings? Are you over tightening the fittings?

+1 u dont use teflon.
Its the oring that seals, not the thread.
The oring should be flat on the base of the rad, so the oring is compressed and seals it.

It's almost impossible to over tighten the DD fatboy fittings:

I don't think the Black Ice GTS is recessed though, so I'm confused on what the OP's issue might be if his leak is at the threads.

u can overtighten on Bits. Ive done it, and completely tore the thread right off the barb and block.

this is why i dont use a wrench anymore and just use my hand to get a firm mount.


OP, maybe a tubing is causing a barb to be twisted, so its screwing off and hence your leaking.

The only other problem i can guess at the moment is you punctured the Fin on your radiator while trying to mount a screw in it. The GTS is a super thin rad, so you need to be super careful u dont puncture the fin when tightening a fan or mounting it to your case.

 

[nitromullet]

u can overtighten on Bits. Ive done it, and completely tore the thread right off the barb and block.

...but you didn't squish the o-ring out like you would with a non-recessed o-ring, did you?

You can overtighten them, I've done it. If you have an imperfect seat, tightening them to more than "snug" may over-compress the oring and allow a leak. I had that happen on a couple blocks where I had a trickle of a leak but backing them off a 1/4 turn or so solved the problem.

With a recessed Bp fitting?

 

[muskie32]

I have not mounted the rad yet, i am just doing leak testing.

I am going to try to replace the Fat boy fittings with a set of these:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=21387

I am using these clamps:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I believe that it is the fittings to blame... Only because both of them leak. They start to leak the very moment i start the pump up, and the water seems to be coming from the fitting part, not the threads.

Any suggestions?

 

[aigomorla]

I have not mounted the rad yet, i am just doing leak testing.

I am going to try to replace the Fat boy fittings with a set of these:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=21387

I am using these clamps:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I believe that it is the fittings to blame... Only because both of them leak. They start to leak the very moment i start the pump up, and the water seems to be coming from the fitting part, not the threads.

Any suggestions?

double up on the Oring if u can.

If the rad or anything u got came with a extra set of barbs or oring, try putting on 2 orings.

And good call doing the leak test outside!
Saved you from an even bigger worry.

 

[muskie32]

I only had an O-ring for 1/2" barbs, that came with the Res. So I was like, "What the heck", and put it on, so it was kind of on the outside of the barb. And it stops the leaking! But the only downside is if the O-ring moves at all it starts leaking again... And with the Rad being on top of the case and 2 expensive video cards rights under it, i don't want to take any chances. So i think i will wait until the new barbs come.

Anything else i should think a bought?
What a bought airflow? How should i have that set up on the Df-85?
I am guessing all 3 fans in the front blowing in, the 2 fans on the top where the rad is blowing in, and the 2 fans on the back blowing out. Possibly a fan in the side window blowing in fresh air on the GPU's. I think i should most likely have it bringing in fresh air to the GPU's because it is Folding 24/7 pretty much

 

[muskie32]

one more question, does anyone know of a waterblock that would work on the Asus Sabertooth 55i voltage Reg.?

 

[rgallant]

[[5/8-1 1/ 2 Hose Clamp (Pack of 10)]]
NEW PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing -3/8in. ID X 1/2in. OD

-the smallest the clamps go are 5\8" on your 1\2"tube -so yea , could be leaking there
-http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=232

 

[aigomorla]

no he's leaking at the barb.

The oring isnt sealing.

I think its cracked or a bad oring.

Try another barb is my best advice or get another oring.

 

[muskie32]

yeah, i ordered some new barbs, should be here on monday. Today i got in the 4000 rpm version of a gentle typhoon, All i can say is; i dont even want to know what those deltas can do

 

[aigomorla]

Muskie if your not getting answers fast enough sometimes, you can also try:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70

That will take you into the LC section @ XS.
You will get a faster response there, however, i would still ask for a second response, as XS has been flooded with a lot of starters who think they know all about water.

 

[muskie32]

Thanks aigomorla, i guess i could use that as a back up
Are you NaeKuh over there?

 

[WoodButcher]

Muskie if your not getting answers fast enough sometimes, you can also try:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70

That will take you into the LC section @ XS.
You will get a faster response there, however, i would still ask for a second response, as XS has been flooded with a lot of starters who think they know all about water.

Wow, I haven't been there in a while, lots of experts now.:awe:

@ muskie, I see you've ordered new barbs so I'm late to the party. A trip to the hardware store for thicker o-rings next time.
Enjoy your wet feet, you'll love it.

 

[muskie32]

WB, yeah, i realized that after i ordered the barbs... But at least now i will have a spare set ;D