Is my EK block suffering from nickel flaking?

Craterloads · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:32

Just cleaning block today getting ready for my next build and noticed very small marks. Block was part of an EK H30 240 HF kit, which is less than 6months old.

Was used with just distilled and kill coil. I cant find reciept for it as i bought it in store localally so not stored online. How do i go about getting a replacement if it is indeed flaking? Like i said is less than 6 months old and was part of a the 240 HF kit, which has not been out long. Kit includes pump, res and rad along with this block.

Im sure ive seen an EK rep on here somewhere?

panyan · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:35

those are machining marks when they milled the block - perfectly normal

jonnylaris · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:38

Bubo · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:45

I think he is referring to the very small copper coloured circles at the end of about 4 fins. Does look like plating has corroded. Me personally I wouldn't be bothered about this tiny amount of corrosion, as I know it doesn't affect performance, but it does affect asthetics obviously which may be important for resale if it ever came to it. It would probably get worse over time as well, still won't affect performance though.

Craterloads · 29 Mar 2012 at 16:24

Bubo said:
I think he is referring to the very small copper coloured circles at the end of about 4 fins. Does look like plating has corroded. Me personally I wouldn't be bothered about this tiny amount of corrosion, as I know it doesn't affect performance, but it does affect asthetics obviously which may be important for resale if it ever came to it. It would probably get worse over time as well, still won't affect performance though.

Just worried it will get worse quickly now, since has broken through the nickel. Dont want a badly flaked block 6 months down the line meaning i have to dismantle loop!

Anyone been through the RMA process?

Cleeecooo · 29 Mar 2012 at 16:41

Craterloads said:
Just worried it will get worse quickly now, since has broken through the nickel. Dont want a badly flaked block 6 months down the line meaning i have to dismantle loop!

Anyone been through the RMA process?

Takes roughly 2 weeks

Craterloads · 29 Mar 2012 at 16:49

Cleeecooo said:
Takes roughly 2 weeks

thanks, do you reckon its worth the effort with that small amount of corrosion? My build wont start for a week or two yet.

Cleeecooo · 29 Mar 2012 at 17:06

Craterloads said:
thanks, do you reckon its worth the effort with that small amount of corrosion? My build wont start for a week or two yet.

Yes. Any blemishes on that nickel are worth an RMA

peige · 29 Mar 2012 at 17:12

panyan said:
those are machining marks when they milled the block - perfectly normal

They are a pretty poor bit of milling though, i'd be ashamed of turning out rubbish like that.

Corrosion will snowball if the nickel is starting to lift, if you can rma I would.. its not "that" bad but worth getting swapped over if only to get one which had been milled with a sharp cutter running the right way

Frozennova · 29 Mar 2012 at 17:34

They're tooling marks, however I've never seen tool marks to be that random or deep when working with a cnc mill.

On our stuff at work they are barely visible and very uniformin pattern, I would contact EK as it looks as though that was machined with either a worn or damaged tool.

panyan · 29 Mar 2012 at 17:40

ManLoveRulesOK said:
They're tooling marks, however I've never seen tool marks to be that random or deep when working with a cnc mill.

peige said:
They are a pretty poor bit of milling though, i'd be ashamed of turning out rubbish like that.

yep, i agree

Frozennova · 29 Mar 2012 at 18:02

especially the corner of the lower pocket, there's quite a different in depth there.

The parts of our mould tools that don't need any sort of quality finish look a while lot better that that.

Craterloads · 29 Mar 2012 at 18:05

ManLoveRulesOK said:
They're tooling marks, however I've never seen tool marks to be that random or deep when working with a cnc mill.

On our stuff at work they are barely visible and very uniformin pattern, I would contact EK as it looks as though that was machined with either a worn or damaged tool.

I was on about the two small copper patches. Can see best on 3rd pic, but yes agree to tooling marks are bad.

piggin · 29 Mar 2012 at 20:03

The patches under the fins are from the nickel coming off the base copper.
I have just sent 5 blocks back to EK.
Not the best RMA experience I have ever had.
I had to fill in forms, send off pictures, give them sales invoices & not have any response for days & days etc
Then have problems sending it back to Slovenia & getting postage back.
However, it turned out OK as they sent me all new EN blocks

But they are no longer any good to me as I have sold all the components the blocks fitted

One of my blocks

jinxpad · 30 Mar 2012 at 09:07

See, this is why I buy copper blocks

panyan · 30 Mar 2012 at 10:58

jinxpad said:
See, this is why I buy copper blocks

+1

as much as like EK designs, their nickel stuff is really unreliable

Craterloads · 30 Mar 2012 at 11:09

got a reply from EK, doesnt look good for me.

"Dear Mr. xx

Thank you for contacting us.

We are sorry for your problem but we do not RMA any products without copy of receipt.

Also a manual was not followed and enclosed/protective coolant was not used.

The instructions and recommendations from manufacturer(s) are to be followed at all times.

Thank you for understanding"

Didnt realise deionized water was a harmful product? no other block i have ever used have had any issues. Looks like no more EK products for me.

andybird123 · 30 Mar 2012 at 11:46

Craterloads said:
Didnt realise deionized water was a harmful product?

yes, DI is harmful to all sorts of metals, but the nickel is supposed to be there to preven damage to the copper... there was a big thing about poor nickel plating by EK a while ago so either you've got an early one or their quality control is still not really up to spec on nickel plating, or even it has been inadvertently scratched somewhere along the line - have you cleaned it before and what with?

there is a reason why a lot of people run corrosion inhibitors even in copper only sytems

it's safe to keep using that block but just run a fluid that has some inhibitors in it to prevent the problem getting worse

Craterloads · 30 Mar 2012 at 12:24

andybird123 said:
but the nickel is supposed to be there to preven damage to the copper... there was a big thing about poor nickel plating by EK a while ago so either you've got an early one or their quality control is still not really up to spec on nickel plating,

Yes i think i have got a non EN block, which is a suprise as the kit was bought less than 6 months ago.

Got another reply from EK

you may read more on distilled/deionized water in this article http://martinsliquidlab.org/2012/01/02/distilled-water-is-the-king-of-water-cooling/
While it has its benefits it also has its disadvantages.
Without any corrosion inhibitors plain water is a potential hazard to all plating as the thickness of it is very thin. There are also salts from soldering, plasticizers and other ions present in the loop.

There is a majority of people using old nickel plating out there with corrosion inhibitors (present in qaulity colants which we have always recommended to use) and have 0 problems. People who wish to really use distilled water should get copper blocks with minimizing mixed metals in loop with prime concern.

Please note that EKWB products are not the only ones suffering from similiar effects on nickel plating

avatar12m · 30 Mar 2012 at 13:57

about time a UK machinist started making water blocks /sigh