How do I clean my watercooling loop?

AWBbox · 16 Sep 2009 at 16:31

Title says it all really, within a few weeks I will be ripping apart by rig in order to upgrade it. I am re-doing the watercooling from scratch so I will need to drain and clean the existing one. There are a couple of components I would like to sell on and I want to make sure they're in good condition!

I have used a dye in my current loop (a mistake given hindsight), I was planning on draining all the liquid out and then re-filling it with a spirit vinegar heavily diluted with distilled water then letting the whole thing run for a few hours. I had heard that this was the best way to do it but I honestly don't know for sure.

I would really appreciate any input you guys have to offer!

Ta.

MikeTimbers · 16 Sep 2009 at 20:20

Runing vinegar through the loop is one way of cleaning it but the vinegar quickly loses its efficacy so it may need multiple refills. Check the link in my sig for a radiator cleaning guide and apply it to all the rest of your loop. You almost certainly will not be able to clean any tubing.

shadowscotland · 16 Sep 2009 at 21:27

Always found that a toothbrush was best for cleaning block - as long as you have the right alan key to open them.
Vinegar in rad does work well

AWBbox · 16 Sep 2009 at 21:39

Thanks for the replies guys, it was only the blocks I wanted to clean anyway. I'm going to chuck the tubing as it was crap to start with!