Loop Draining Methods

The Asgard · 9 Apr 2011 at 12:16

Interested knowing how everyone drains their loop as this is the one area I have not managed to sort out properly?

Normally I empty the res and then pull one of the pipes off and then try to drain from there. Usually end up in a mess because of air locks where you think its drained and suddenly you get fluid going everywhere.

jrwagh333 · 9 Apr 2011 at 12:47

I take the block off my lowest component in the case (In my case my 2nd GPU). Pull it as far as I can away from the system, then either pull off or cut the tubing and drain it into a bucket. Once I have done that I tilt the case to make sure it is all out.

twist3d0n3 · 9 Apr 2011 at 12:52

up until recently i would pull my pump out of the case and remove the hose from one side, let it drain into a bucket, then take the other hose off and empty whats left.

now i've got the pump fixed into the case it's going to be a bit tricky

scooby555t · 9 Apr 2011 at 12:56

not tryed my loop yet not looking forward to it tbh

dekez · 9 Apr 2011 at 13:02

I usually end up cutting a tube somewhere near the bottom of the loop. I always say to myself I'm going to build a drain bit in next time but never end up doing it.

mjones1 · 9 Apr 2011 at 13:21

I normally empty out the res then unscrew the fitting for the pump outlet then drain. Sometimes i blow the hole to get remaining water out.

neo-omega · 9 Apr 2011 at 13:29

I undo the bleed for the radiator (lowest component) over a tub while at the same time opening the fillport in my res (highest...ish). No mess and what's more no damage to the tubing at all ^_^

The Asgard · 9 Apr 2011 at 14:00

Well it looks like I'm no worse then you guys which is reassuring.

Guitarman0 · 9 Apr 2011 at 17:41

This method (watch from 2:30) to get the majority out and then cut the tubing at the pump (lowest point in my loop).

JonJ678 · 9 Apr 2011 at 18:39

I have a t line with a ball valve built in, so i open that. Most drains out, the rest is removed by blowing into the fill line

Greboth · 9 Apr 2011 at 19:28

My pump is sat in the bottom of my case so pull it out of the case and pull of a pipe. I did mean to fit a t line when I last emptied it but forgot to order the T so sticking for this method next time too. THat video is good though, but advantage of using water, cheap enough that don't care if it does down the drain

ace962 · 9 Apr 2011 at 19:49

Great video! I have never emptied mine but was going to syphon out of my res (5.25" bay) the old fashioned way. But this makes A LOT more sense.

Guitarman0 · 9 Apr 2011 at 22:08

ace962 said:
Great video! I have never emptied mine but was going to syphon out of my res (5.25" bay) the old fashioned way. But this makes A LOT more sense.

Well, first time I emptied it I was tipping the PC all over the place as I didn't really want to cut the tubing but I made a massive mess so the method in the video is much easier

The Asgard · 9 Apr 2011 at 22:57

Good vid and its pretty much what I do. I think the problem I have is because my Rad sits at the top and mavity forces the fluid down through the pipes. Just when you think you have all the fluid out you take off another pipe and fluid starts flowing again. I have tried clamping the pipes when working on parts of the loop and that never works.
Need some sort of T at the bottom connected to a fill port. Like a sump plug.

Luckily I only have to change my fluid when I need to work on the loop.