Help needed with watercooling - is this corrosion?

hughythomas · 28 Oct 2010 at 11:27

Hi guys!

I noticed these black spots of taint in my loop about 2 weeks ago. The plague is spreading as there seems to be more of them now:

What should I do? Is it Algae or corrosion? What's the solution to either? Can anyone recommend an easy way to drain my system as it's a total biatch without a some sort of valve. It's Feser One coolant btw.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated - I can only assume this is damaging my components leaving it like this!

Many thanks!

Tom

hughythomas · 28 Oct 2010 at 11:28

P.S I can post more pics of my entire loop/specs if you need more information to help me out!

OLDPHART · 28 Oct 2010 at 11:47

Why not take a sample put it on some filter paper and have a closer look to see what the black bits are.

Has the Feser One got a dye in it?

pastymuncher · 28 Oct 2010 at 13:13

If that's Feser one then it's a good chance that the dye has started to seperate. It's well known to do this and goes on to clog blocks, pumps and the rad. Get it out of your loop asap and give everything a really good flush out. It's a good idea to strip the blocks down. Distilled/de-ionised water is the best idea for a coolant with an additive such as Primochill Liquid Utopia. If you want colour then buy coloured or uv reactive tubing.

hughythomas · 28 Oct 2010 at 14:03

Damn I had no idea Feser One was famous for doing this - sorry to be a real pain pasty but could you be REALLY specific as to what I need to do?

Also, would you be kind enough to recommend some water? A link on OcUK would be ace (or just name the product!).

Thanks ever so much for your replies.

Tom

P.S Yes, its purple Feser One.

OLDPHART · 28 Oct 2010 at 14:26

Just use distilled water + Silver Coil, l'm using Thermochill EC6 Clear, its been in 5 months and its as clear as the day l filled the loop.

hughythomas · 28 Oct 2010 at 14:40

Great thanks guys - could someone just clarify what it is that I need to do once I've drained my loop?

I am happy replacing all of my tubing (I need some new compression fittings as well) - if I was to do both of these steps how would one flush out the blocks, res and rad?

Tom

Stevinchy · 28 Oct 2010 at 14:48

I would open all blocks and clean all of the dye out of them.
The best way to clean a radiator is to fill it with distilled vinegar and leave it to sit with it in for a good while. Then pour it out and replace with clean vinegar. Do this until the vinegar you pour out is clear.
Replacing tubing is never a bad idea either.
Then reassemble and fill with distilled water and either a biocide like PT nuke or just use a silver kill coil.

pastymuncher · 29 Oct 2010 at 11:01

Due to the way this stuff sticks to blocks it's impossible to just flush them through. You need to take the blocks apart to clean them properly. When re-assembling make sure you don't pinch the rubber o-rings. It's worth taking the pump apart as well because the impellor on mine was well clogged. Not much you can do about the rad apart from distilled vinegar and then a really good flushing.

De-ionised water can be had from the likes of Halfords (also called battery top up water) for £4-5 for 5 litres. If you are really lucky like i was, your local supermarket may sell it even cheaper. I got mine in Asda's for 25p a litre!! Have'nt seen it in there since though. Just add in something like Primochill liquid Utopia (does'nt cloud tubing) or a silver kill coil.