7/16" tubing very loose on 1/2" barbs?? Urgent help please

TheCenturion · 18 Oct 2010 at 18:55

I'm in the process of filling my first ever loop. I've noticed that for some reason, 7/16" tubing seems quite loose on my 1/2" barb. The most gentle tug appears to unsettle the tubing, and i've noticed that on one of my barbs, there is already a hazard for a leak, the tubing is very slightly sticking out, and a couple of drops of water have come out when I tug at the tubing to try to make it tighter.

How can I make them tighter? I haven't even turned the pump on yet

Thanks

alan whitaker · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:08

Hi.
Can you do a picture and which hose fasteners are you using.

Alan

TheCenturion · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:09

I didn't use hose fasteners, as all the research that I'd done told me that they weren't needed.

Schizo · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:15

i have just done my water cooling loop and used jubilee clips to be on the safe side.

mjones1 · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:24

Just buy a bag of zip ties for a quick fix.
Then buy some clips.

alan whitaker · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:27

Hi,
Yep Zip ties will do a temp job, then either change to clamps or screw fittings. there is plenty to pick from here.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=962&catid=1529

Alan

TheCenturion · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:28

What you're saying is that I have to empty my whole system and replace all the fittings? :eek:

mjones1 · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:35

TheCenturion said:
What you're saying is that I have to empty my whole system and replace all the fittings?

Why would you replace your fittings when yours are perfectly fine?

TheCenturion · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:36

That's what the above posters are saying.

bifday2k · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:38

My barbs and tubing is the same, and the fit on mine is as tight as a ducks ass so to speak lol.

I have to use a stanly knife to get the tubing off, its that tightly on.

I use Masterkleer 7/16" Tubing and OcUK Value High Flow 1/2" which is'nt in stock anymore but looks like the XSPC or Bitspower highflow ones. Basicly they have quite a large lip on them, that is a killer to get the tube over.

IF you are worried, do as the others suggested, and use cable ties or hose clamps for peice of mind.

piggin · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:38

Do you know what barbs you have fitted?
Also what 7/16 tube?

I have used 1/2" barbs on 7/16" tubes & it was a nightmare to get off (had to cut it in the end).

It they are slipping use a few cable ties.
You can also use jubilee clips (undo them all the way and slip them over the pipe, tighten without cutting into the pipe)

mmj_uk · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:39

It must be the tubing (inner diameter?) or barbs you're using, I used Masterkleer 7/16 with 1/2 barbs and it took a monumental to get the tubing off, unless you're using old tubing which was already stretched at the end by barbs?

alan whitaker · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:39

Hi
If as you say " a couple of drops of water have come out when I tug at the tubing" then they are not safe, you can get the plastic hose clips, you just fit them and squeze them to tighten up on the hose.

Alan

piggin · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:46

I have used Masterkleer 7/16 with EK 1/2 barbs = had to cut them off
I have also used XSPC (white) 7/16 with 'fat boy' 1/2 barbs = would pull off so fitted koolance clamps

Also as previously stated, if its leaking now without the pump, it will definitely leak with the pump on (if not blow a pipe off)
Stop the leek before turning the pump on.

TheCenturion · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:48

I've got a spare plastic hose clip, I'll use that.
I've got these barbs:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-075-EK&groupid=962&catid=1529&subcat=1826

And 7/16" ID 5/8" OD tubing

mjones1 · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:53

I own a pair of ek barbs and 7/16" tubing, i found i had to warm up the tubing before even putting the tubing on.

alan whitaker · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:58

Hi,
The main thing is to run the system for 24 hours with the PC turned off, I set mine up on the bench and just left it running. I just used a spare power supply to power it all up

Alan

TheCenturion · 18 Oct 2010 at 19:58

It's r3603 Tygon. Does the number have anything to do with the thickness?

momo56 · 18 Oct 2010 at 20:08

The only time I didn't need clips was with the barbs that come with the swiftech gtz and those plastic barbs that come with the swiftech rads and of course the D5 pump.

I have used masterkleer 7/16" with those EK barbs and found they were very easy to put on and take off. I always used hose clips and they stayed on. I tried boiling water/warm water on it, it kinda shaped itself around the barb which made it a tight seal but it made the end of the tube thinner.

Im using tfc compression fittings now as they only 24p each from OCUK a few months back and will never go back to barbs again.

piggin · 18 Oct 2010 at 20:14

TheCenturion said:
It's r3603 Tygon. Does the number have anything to do with the thickness?

Tygon r3603 is a very good make (and expensive)
The specs say you have
ID Size 7/16"
OD Size 5/8"
Wall Thickness 3/32"

This should not slip off the barbs.
Do you know what barbs you have?