Cleaning out loop/rads after just using de-ionised water...

BS Dave · 19 Jun 2024 at 11:36

So I've been bad and just used de-ionised water in my loop...
(I meant to add the additive but was going to xhange the pump first but then never got round to it etc etc) it's been a few years and I want to clean out my CPU block (which I can do manually) but should I get something like Mayhems Blitz to make sure any gunk/corrosion is out of the rads?

I'm thinking this stuff

Mayhems - PC Cleaning Kit - Blitz System - Coolant Loop Cleaning, For Initial Setup and Coolant Change

Order Mayhems - PC Cleaning Kit - Blitz System - Coolant Loop Cleaning, For Initial Setup and Coolant Change now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

Jay85 · 19 Jun 2024 at 12:14

BS Dave said:
So I've been bad and just used de-ionised water in my loop...
(I meant to add the additive but was going to xhange the pump first but then never got round to it etc etc) it's been a few years and I want to clean out my CPU block (which I can do manually) but should I get something like Mayhems Blitz to make sure any gunk/corrosion is out of the rads?

I'm thinking this stuff

Mayhems - PC Cleaning Kit - Blitz System - Coolant Loop Cleaning, For Initial Setup and Coolant Change

Order Mayhems - PC Cleaning Kit - Blitz System - Coolant Loop Cleaning, For Initial Setup and Coolant Change now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

Is there actually any damage done or any growth in the loop? Cos i've run de-ionised water for years without maintenance and i've never had any issues.

If you're wanting to clean the loop out though, definitely use the blitz kit. Follow instructions and leave in for a minimum of 2 hours before rinsing it out.

BeeP · 19 Jun 2024 at 12:34

If you want to clean it then that's the stuff for the job, I too have ran de-ionised for years with a silver coil and never had any issues.

Glanza · 19 Jun 2024 at 12:37

When I used to have custom loops blitz was my go to for cleaning it out, especially after coloured fluids.

BS Dave · 19 Jun 2024 at 12:47

I havent opened it up yet...is a bit of verdigris in the rads worth worrying about?

I'm running ZMT tubing too so hopefully there's not much to react

Jay85 · 19 Jun 2024 at 13:13

BS Dave said:
I havent opened it up yet...is a bit of verdigris in the rads worth worrying about?

I'm running ZMT tubing too so hopefully there's not much to react

Not really, i get a little bit on mine around the fittings usually around the threads. A quick bath in blitz sorts that out, rinse and dry with a rag.

Kept most if not all of my fittings clean this way and used them again and again without issue.

LePhuronn · 30 Jun 2024 at 14:05

You only need Blitz part 1 if your rads are new or really gunked up with pastel coolants, stubborn dyes, or you've been growing an algae farm. By extension you only need part 2 if your pH balance in your loop is wildly off and you're not going to just strip it all down anyway.

If you've been using EDPM tubing then I'd suggest growth would be limited because of the significantly reduced light exposure, and no amount of Blitz kit is going to fix any corrosion with dissimilar metals in your loop from the lack of an inhibitor (which would be minimal anyway).

for now I'd suggest hooking up your rads to the kitchen tap and blasting a load of water through it for a while to see what crud comes out, then give it a wash through with deionised once it's clean. If the rads remain cruddy then it's Blitz part 1 you want (or diluted white vinegar).

As for the CPU block just some toothpaste and a soft brush will clean nickel up nicely, or diluted white vinegar if it's bare copper. And a good deionised water soak afterwards for both.

clone · 8 Jul 2024 at 09:11

I used to use a mix of vinegar and tap water, warm and leave it in the and run with a filter for a hour or so, then flush out with deionised water.

Mick-1965 · 8 Jul 2024 at 11:54

Citric acid and tap water. 1 Tbsp per litre. Let it run for an hour or two then flush with tap water a few times.

Citric acid is readily avaiable from your favourite DIY centre. Just over 2 quid for 250g, which leaves plenty left for descaling your kekkle for the rest of the year

BS Dave · Friday at 17:10

clone said:
I used to use a mix of vinegar and tap water, warm and leave it in the and run with a filter for a hour or so, then flush out with deionised water.

Sorry thread necro. I still haven't done it as I haven't been gaming. Can someone link me to right vinegar? Everything at the supermarket looks like it just wants to go on fish and chips!!! Or is that OK?

LePhuronn · Friday at 17:36

White distilled vinegar is what you want, not the delicious brown stuff. Hilariously I grabbed 2 500ml bottles from my local corner shop for 65p each.

It's "Jack's" brand, which is basically Tesco basics. Corner shop or Tesco I should imagine.

jabski · 2025-01-11T09:53:04+0000

LePhuronn said:
White distilled vinegar is what you want, not the delicious brown stuff. Hilariously I grabbed 2 500ml bottles from my local corner shop for 65p each.

It's "Jack's" brand, which is basically Tesco basics. Corner shop or Tesco I should imagine.

Golden swan is another one. As mentioned should be easy to pick up at a corner shop or supermarket

pre · 2025-01-11T12:31:27+0000

BS Dave said:
So I've been bad and just used de-ionised water in my loop...
(I meant to add the additive but was going to xhange the pump first but then never got round to it etc etc) it's been a few years and I want to clean out my CPU block (which I can do manually) but should I get something like Mayhems Blitz to make sure any gunk/corrosion is out of the rads?

Best to check to residue when draining - typically blocks have the smallest fins so that should give you an idea if you need one best.

Strongly recommend running something alkaline after cleaning to get PH back to 6-7 afterwards if using a diluted vinegar solution rinse/soak. Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets work really well as a surfactant if you have them already to pick up any bits loosened that got past your blocks to a rad - if you don't want to buy a mayhem kit which has both an acidic and neutralising flush.

BS Dave · 2025-01-11T18:49:15+0000

LePhuronn said:
White distilled vinegar is what you want, not the delicious brown stuff. Hilariously I grabbed 2 500ml bottles from my local corner shop for 65p each.

It's "Jack's" brand, which is basically Tesco basics. Corner shop or Tesco I should imagine.

The 5% stuff? Then what 10 to 1 tap water? I was up in Stoke for Xmas - I should have got some then!!

LePhuronn · 2025-01-11T19:13:32+0000

Depending on how crusty your stuff is, I've seen people do anything from 80/20 to 50/50 water to vinegar. Warm it up a bit too.

I do 60/40 cleaning my blocks because I don't leave to soak for very long before actively scrubbing. For radiators I'd probably dilute that a little more to 70/30 if you're gonna leave it to sit for an hour or two.

BS Dave · 2025-01-11T20:03:42+0000

LePhuronn said:
Depending on how crusty your stuff is, I've seen people do anything from 80/20 to 50/50 water to vinegar. Warm it up a bit too.

I do 60/40 cleaning my blocks because I don't leave to soak for very long before actively scrubbing. For radiators I'd probably dilute that a little more to 70/30 if you're gonna leave it to sit for an hour or two.

Perfect. I'll probably take the rads out if the case so I run tap water through both ways to flush them. When I put the de-ionised water in I'll use the additive this time!!