GPU Block white discolouration and damage?

[Michal Kozlowski]

Hi Guys.
Today I was doing my 6 months flush on new WC loop, and I noticed this in my GPU.

It looks a bit like plating has failed and exposed copper? Or heat point affected the plexi maybe?

This is bykski eagle 3080 block

I was using EK Cryo orange.

Rest of the loop flushed fine and there is no residue or gunk anywhere else and it washed perfectly to new.

I have never really had any problems with my loops before in last 10 years or so, so I'm pretty bad at troubleshooting, and failure knowledge.

I guess my question is is this an issue, other than visual? Any possibility of developing a leak? Any other advice? I'd like to avoid opening the block, but let me know if it might be necessarily.

Thanks.

 

[mattyc123]

It looks like a chemical reaction possibly from the plating process that has leached out and damaged the plastic top.

I would take it apart and give it a good clean to make sure that no particles of nickel are coming off to damage the pump and check that the plastic hasn't swelled.

If it checks out and you don't mind the look then get it put back together and leak tested.

 

[Michal Kozlowski]

Thanks.
I opened it, and it's actually some glue holding some small plastic insert/divider. I cleaned it up, there is still some discolouring on plating, and glue is now gone, but it didn't seem like it was something crucial for functioning of the block, maybe adding some slight turbulence or resistance? but glue was all messed up anyway and I'm not sure what's safe to replace with.

Thank for advice.

 

[Hewligan]

Looks fantastic now!

 

[clone]

Rma it as it looks like the nickel has gone bad.

 

[marlies]

You can use chrome polish (or other non-abrasive metal polish) if the slight blemish troubles you, the plating itself doesn't look compromised, i.e. can't see bare-metal or surface unevenness.