In Situ Flushing

whiterabbit · 27 Aug 2016 at 09:08

Hi

I have noticed some clouding in my watercooling loop. I use clear tube and a clear premix coolant.

There are small white specs of different sizes hanging around in my pump and GPU block. I suspect they're everywhere in the system.

Is this plasticiser?

To remove my loop I have to completely tear down my system. Would it be possible to flush the debris out of my system by connecting something like this to the loop and running for 24 hours...

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1870776/

** Do Not Hotlink Images **

VKleita · 27 Aug 2016 at 11:47

Got any pics of the actual bits?

Regarding using a filter like that, I have no idea never tried it.

whiterabbit · 27 Aug 2016 at 12:27

I don't have any pics and I'm sat on a train to France. Will take some in a couple of weeks when I get back.

Greebo · 27 Aug 2016 at 12:41

No need for a filter. I plumbed my inlet on the pump to a bucket with a hospice to keep it topped up with water and then the pipe whic normally goes to the reservoir I put in the sink. Put pump on max. 30 mins flushing like that should get rid of everything.

You just need two long lengths of flexi tube.

You could then use Mayhems flush mix before in a closed loop for 24 hours to loosen any stubborn bits and then flush out as above

whiterabbit · 27 Aug 2016 at 13:00

Thanks

I've bought some kit and gone down the filter route because I'm interested in seeing what comes out / is collected by the filter. Also got a pond pump so I can remove my D5 from the system while it's flushing.

Kaladon · 28 Aug 2016 at 23:47

Subscribing to this cos interesting!

VKleita · 29 Aug 2016 at 12:19

yes yes, more Info after would be great.
technically the Ehiem pump I have is based on a pond pump anyway, explains why it lasts for ever I suppose

whiterabbit · 29 Aug 2016 at 12:33

I'm in France right now on holiday. I'll post another update when I get home.

The parts I have purchased for this experiment are:

20 Litre White Plastic Bucket with Lid and Handle
1000 LPH Submersible Water Pump for Aquarium Fish Tank (unbradned)
10 LITRE DE IONISED WATER
Jubilee Clips
10" Water Filter Housing with 1/4" ports
PTFE WHITE PLUMBERS THREAD SEAL TAPE
1/2" ID - 3/4" OD Clearflex 60 Premium Clear Tubing
Nylon Fitting Hose Barb Male Threads x2 1/4 Thread x 1/2 Barb
10" Standard Pleated Water Filter Cartridge 5 Micron Rated

All of the parts including any delivery charges came to just under £60. A worthwile investment considering it call be reused many times over.

The idea came from this forum thread: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=362609

whiterabbit · 5 Sep 2016 at 15:33

VKleita said:
Got any pics of the actual bits?

Regarding using a filter like that, I have no idea never tried it.

Just got back from holiday. Here are a couple of photos showing bits in the reservoir and GPU block.

VKleita · 5 Sep 2016 at 15:52

hmmm, do they actually move around or attached to side of the res ?
A filter wont do nothing if they are stuck to things.

Hard to tell , ta for the effort thou.

I would say maybe blitz clean might be the way forward.

whiterabbit · 5 Sep 2016 at 17:03

What you see in the res remains static.

There are really small white bits in the GPU block which are strand like in form. They're too small for my camera to pick up but are visible with the naked eye and they move around.

I think your right with the flush kit. I'm going to get one and once run in accordance with instructions wil remove pump for a good clean and run the filter loop with DI water for 24 hours before refilling with coolant.

almightydutch · 8 Sep 2016 at 15:36

Trouble with flushing IME is you cant get the stubborn gunk from inside the blocks which is what actually causes the flow/temp issues.

Never used a blitz clean or anything like so interested to what people say

implosiveturnip · 8 Sep 2016 at 16:46

subbed, I'm seeing similar bits in my loop now, interested to see how this goes

That said, my coolant is nearly a year old at this point, so I'm not surprised!

whiterabbit · 9 Sep 2016 at 14:11

My Mayhems flush kit will be delivered on Monday. I'll take photos of the process and then update again a couple of weeks later to comment on whether on not the 'white things' have returned.

FYI I am using:

EK-Ekoolant EVO CLEAR
Mayhems Ultra Clear Watercooling Tubing (12 - 34) 19/13mm

whiterabbit · 10 Sep 2016 at 21:23

UPDATE

So, after emptying the coolant there was a whiteness to the drained fluid. As I poured the liquid down the sink, the white bits started to look powdery. Could this be flux?

I set up my filtering loop and proceeded to fill with Mayhems Blitz flush part 2. After a very short time the liquid in my reservoir became crystal clear. I'll leave the flush rig running overnight whereon I will drain and complete 3 flushes with DI water before refilling with coolant.

At this stage I really hope the white bits are flux and that the issue is not related to a problem with the coolant. I don't want to have to do this again and change my coolant for another manufacturers. Fingers crossed.

A picture of the drained fluid.

Close up of drained fluid.

The filter loop set up, running Mayhems Blitz part 2.

The reservoir after 30min of cycling. Crystal clear!

VKleita · 10 Sep 2016 at 23:24

Well it certainly sounds promising!

I wonder what it is ?

whiterabbit · 11 Sep 2016 at 17:54

I think it's flux from the Phobya radiator.

BluD · 11 Sep 2016 at 20:14

whiterabbit said:
Close up of drained fluid.

Looks kinda cool, ya should have just said its a special premix called Mayhems Galaxy if anyone asked

VKleita · 12 Sep 2016 at 07:52

Well long as its gone!

My water is crystal clear but I have fogging effect on my tubes due to too much sunlight.

Sigh it's always something isn't it