Leaking EK Rad? Next steps?

grumpybeard

grumpybeard

grumpybeard

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Hey Fellas,

Looking for bit of advice. Whilst moving PC to clean dust filters, to my horror noticed a drop of cooling fluid on one of the filters. Upon further inspection it would appear small leak with fluid running down one of the screws holding the fan in place to the rad, an EKWB EK-CoolStream XE 240, purchased and installed Nov 2015. Not had any issues until now, wondering if slightly moving the PC has caused fan screw to pierce rad do you think?

Tried looking on EK site for any info rgds warranty, and if any such warranty would cover this.

No leaks anywhere else, checked all connections. PC currently powered off, temped to clean up then power back up to look for any further leaking. Suppose best option is full drain and rad replacement? Grateful for guidance, cheers!

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It's most likely that the fan screws are too long and have punctured one of the tubes in which case it will be classed as user error and not covered by warranty.
 
on cripes not good :(

You need to whip the screw out and check length it should JUST be long enough to go through fan and nip tight, hold it against the side of the fan and rad to see depth.

The only reason i can think of a leak was it was resting against one of the water channels and moving it has made it rub and cut through.

Thats not covered by warranty I'm afraid.

But lets check the facts first before deciding.
 
OK thanks fellas appreciate it, ordered new rad as replacement, hopefully should be with me by Thursday so I'll drain in meantime, and hopefully out of action for only a few days.

Cheers
 
Pulled rad, can't see any obvious damage to fins

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Screws used - thoughts? fyi I can put tip of index finger between rad case and fins, so would think there's just about enough room for this screen length?

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That channel directly under the screw should not be warped, bent or chipped in any way whatsoever. It should look completely uniform with all the other channels all the way along. Even then, there could be a hairline fracture that's difficult to spot because of the black colour of the rad + shadows. Can you get another shot from a slightly different angle with flash on? Also, can you fill it with water and place it upside down on the desk and then turn it back over & take another one?

Regardless, I would say you've observed a leak, ergo it needs replacing and shorter screws used on the fans.
 
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You've pushed the bolts against the fins, you can see the tab for the thread is raised up, so you tightened it down and the tab could only go up. Should have used shorter bolts, or cut them down, or used spacer washers on the opposite size
 
Screws you've used are too long and punctured the rad. Live and learn :) shouldn't be too long before your back up and running.
 
hornetstinger said:
You've pushed the bolts against the fins, you can see the tab for the thread is raised up, so you tightened it down and the tab could only go up. Should have used shorter bolts, or cut them down, or used spacer washers on the opposite size
Click to expand...

You can damage the fins as much as you want as they don't carry water.

You can see what looks like a damaged channell (the straight lines lengthways across rad) and that's where it will be leaking from.

New rad time or solder it together
 
the screws that come with the EKWB fans are exactly the right length to use with their rads. they dont have a thread all the way up the screw either just maybe 4mm on the end.
 
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