Ok to use this radiator?

sparkymark75

sparkymark75

sparkymark75

Soldato
Joined
8 Jan 2003
Posts
3,920
Location
Scotland
Dropped my radiator while removing it from the case. It hit the bottom of the case and damaged it.

I’m less bothered about the fins and more about the flattened pipes. Do you think it’s usable? I filled it with water and it doesn’t appear to leak.
 
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If it doesn't leak, don't worry about it. The only really critical requirement of any watercooling component is that it not leak. Straighten out the fins if possible as those will add a little wind noise.
 
MikeTimbers said:
If it doesn't leak, don't worry about it. The only really critical requirement of any watercooling component is that it not leak. Straighten out the fins if possible as those will add a little wind noise.
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I've moved this radiator so it will be at the bottom of the case and the damage side face down so if it does leak, it won't go on any components.
 
From the look of things, the pipes might be compromised, and so they may not be able to handle water under pressure. I think turning it away from component is wise, but keep an eye on the water pressure or water levels if you can get read-outs of those values anywhere.
 
I would set a loop up outside your PC for testing if you have enough spare parts, it might be fine for now but after some pressure running through it for several hours it might then start to leak.
 
Bit late now like, since you seem to have already rebuilt your system, but what you should have done was to submerge the rad in a bowl of water, blocked one port whilst blowing hard into the other. If you don't see any bubbles then it would be fine. The damage doesn't look that bad though to be honest, as long as nothing sharp was involved, just looks like blunt trauma.
 
Bubo said:
Bit late now like, since you seem to have already rebuilt your system, but what you should have done was to submerge the rad in a bowl of water, blocked one port whilst blowing hard into the other. If you don't see any bubbles then it would be fine. The damage doesn't look that bad though to be honest, as long as nothing sharp was involved, just looks like blunt trauma.
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Genious. I was just blowing in atmosphere for anything I have that's dented (dented radiators are fantastically cheap second hand!), but this is far more obvious if there's an issue.
 
Bubo said:
Bit late now like, since you seem to have already rebuilt your system, but what you should have done was to submerge the rad in a bowl of water, blocked one port whilst blowing hard into the other. If you don't see any bubbles then it would be fine. The damage doesn't look that bad though to be honest, as long as nothing sharp was involved, just looks like blunt trauma.
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I’ll remember that one for next time. Hopefully there isn’t one! It was blunt force from a screw head on a fan.

It’s been up and running for a day with no leaks so far. Although my new issue is the bloody rgb on my FLT reservoir. Will create a separate thread for that.
 
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