EK CPU Block pitting

Kodiak · 3 Jun 2017 at 13:31

I have just started off with my first maintenance / minor upgrade to my custom loop and i have noticed some pitting on the water block.

This block has been in use for about a year now, from what i have read, this should have occurred almost over night if i was using parts made from different materials. My rad is copper and so is the block. Well I think it is, might be nickle plated, my colour blindness gets in the way some times.

Is this block screwed?

Do i need to get a new one?

Since this was part of a OcUK water-cooled bundle, do i have any come back about this?

momo56 · 3 Jun 2017 at 23:22

Contact EKWB support. They will most likely send you a new nickel base for free.

VKleita · 4 Jun 2017 at 14:02

That kind of damage in less than a year is a little worrying ...

Kodiak · 4 Jun 2017 at 19:57

Thanks for the replies guys.

Looks like I'm gonna have to contact EKWB about this.

Glanza · 5 Jun 2017 at 09:05

What make of Rad have you got?

ubersonic · 5 Jun 2017 at 10:03

What type of coolant were you using? It's important to use one with good anti corrosion to delay this (you can't stop corrosion completely in a mixed metal loop).

Kodiak · 5 Jun 2017 at 17:25

I bought the OcUK V12 Watercooling Kit 360 which consisted of the following :-

Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/11 - Clear
Mayhems Ultra Pure H2O Watercooling Fluid 1L
EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple)
XSPC D5 Photon 170 Reservoir/Pump Combo
EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO - Nickel

So I didn't think I would have to add any anti corrosion to the liquid.

EKWB have come back basically saying
"Try cleaning it. If the block dots are still there then, if you have anything else in your loop that isn't EK, then that's causing the problem."

I have to admit I'm feeling a little annoyed about this. And it starting to look like I'm gonna have to buy a new cpu block

Undesirable · 5 Jun 2017 at 18:03

You could try Mayhems new XT-1 Nuke. That looks like it's designed to keep corrosion at bay for as long as possible. Also don't go for EK nickel any more. Switch to copper or get a different manufacturers nickel, such as Aquacomputer.

JR23 · 5 Jun 2017 at 18:25

Really curious to know if it does actually clean off or not? From the pics its hard to tell if it's on the surface or the nickel is damaged. Either way, I don't see why you should scrap the block over it especially as it's only a copper part.

I just cleaned up my 3 year old Supremacy and 780 blocks, hot water followed by some automotive polish and they are good as new, only picked up one little imperfection on one of the card blocks.

Everything in your loop is EK? The Photon is all plastic, EK use mayhems coolant...

JR

Kodiak · 5 Jun 2017 at 19:11

I have tried cleaning the block, as per EK's instructions of using warm water and a toothbrush. And the little black dot do not go.

Undesirable · 5 Jun 2017 at 20:05

It's pitting corrosion and it's there because you didn't use anti-corrosive coolant. Pure h2o alone won't protect you, hence the pre-mix stuff available and concentrate you can buy separately. As mentioned, I suggest Mayhems XT-1 Nuke, to be mixed with the pure h2o you have already purchased.

Brizzles · 5 Jun 2017 at 20:12

From Mayhems

When using Mayhems Ultra Pure H20 it is recommended that you also use a biocide and inhibitor if needed.

It is basically 'purified' distilled water, and should be used as a base liquid.

Should really be made more clear if buying from OcUK.

They mention it is Sea Monkey safe though !!!!

Kodiak · 5 Jun 2017 at 20:48

Hmm, then perhaps they should have included it in the kit.

I think im gonna have to take this up with OcUK now.

Thanks for all the help.

Brizzles · 5 Jun 2017 at 20:54

Kodiak said:
Hmm, then perhaps they should have included it in the kit.

I think im gonna have to take this up with OcUK now.

Thanks for all the help.

I agree.

There should be a mention somewhere.

ubersonic · 6 Jun 2017 at 12:26

Kodiak said:
I bought the OcUK V12 Watercooling Kit 360 which consisted of the following :-

Primochill Primoflex Advanced Tubing 16/11 - Clear
Mayhems Ultra Pure H2O Watercooling Fluid 1L
EK Water Blocks EK-CoolStream PE 360 (Triple)
XSPC D5 Photon 170 Reservoir/Pump Combo
EK Water Blocks EK-Supremacy EVO - Nickel

So I didn't think I would have to add any anti corrosion to the liquid.

I don't like to say anything negative towards OCUK as it's been my go to supplier for like well over a decade, but if they sold you that as a complete kit then the corrosion is on them as that's a bunch of different metals and nothing to inhibit galvanic corrosion, and it's not like the dangers of galvanic corrosion haven't been a well known about thing in PC water cooling for a long time.

To put it in perspective, the block is nickel, the pump contains steel (and depending on the exact model possibly some aluminium too), the radiator has brass chambers and will probably be fluxed together with tin, then theres the fittings (brass? nickel plated?), you get the idea.

Kodiak · 6 Jun 2017 at 12:37

Well OcUK's stance is, its out of warranty. And EKWB are still blaming me for this.

TBH i feel like throwing the lot out.

n14hta · 6 Jun 2017 at 12:47

Kodiak said:
Well OcUK's stance is, its out of warranty. And EKWB are still blaming me for this.

TBH i feel like throwing the lot out.

I feel for you mate, EK have no CS skills.

momo56 · 6 Jun 2017 at 19:12

EK's nickel plating isn't exactly the best either. They had and still have issues with it. I had to RMA a block twice because it went black within 2 days.

They even tried saying mayhems fluid was too aggressive, even though they sold it under their brand for 4 years...

Lots of people used to just use distilled water and silver kill coil and had no issues with nickel blocks from koolance, swiftech etc

Aberfala · 6 Jun 2017 at 19:58

ubersonic said:
I don't like to say anything negative towards OCUK as it's been my go to supplier for like well over a decade, but if they sold you that as a complete kit then the corrosion is on them as that's a bunch of different metals and nothing to inhibit galvanic corrosion, and it's not like the dangers of galvanic corrosion haven't been a well known about thing in PC water cooling for a long time.

To put it in perspective, the block is nickel, the pump contains steel (and depending on the exact model possibly some aluminium too), the radiator has brass chambers and will probably be fluxed together with tin, then theres the fittings (brass? nickel plated?), you get the idea.

Same here, I'm a big fan of OCUK but they really should have included either a kill coil or biocide with that kit.

Thekwango · 7 Jun 2017 at 01:20

Kodiak said:
Well OcUK's stance is, its out of warranty. And EKWB are still blaming me for this.

TBH i feel like throwing the lot out.

Like the others I don't really want to 'bad mouth' OcUK but stating it's out of warranty becomes irrelevant (to a certain extent) if it can be shown that the product was not fit for purpose to begin with. For me, with my limited wc'ing knowledge, that is not fit for purpose given mixed metals and lack of corrosion inhibitor, especially as it was a 'kit'.

Edit: check your original order if you can, in case they may have a disclaimer tacked on about you needing to include an inhibitor yourself.