Pump/Res leaking

sparkymark75 · 29 Dec 2021 at 20:36

So went to start leak testing my loop and it's failed at the first hurdle. I think I overtightened the bolts on the DDC pump to the IceMan reservoir and have stripped the threads on one (maybe two) of the holes on the reservoir. Enough to cause it to leak in the bottom corner where the thread is stripped. I'm guessing because I can't tighten it enough to seal the gasket on the pump.

Is there anything I can do to salvage this? Even if temporarily while I order another reservoir (which comes from China).

Syore · 29 Dec 2021 at 21:24

~~You could possibly use gasket maker or a thicker gasket to temporarily seal it.~~

Actually scrap that idea. Use a small c clamp on the side that is leaking. That should help seal it temporarily.

sparkymark75 · 29 Dec 2021 at 22:25

Turns out it may have been the side drain port which was next to the part where the pump meets the reservoir and the way the water was escaping made it look like the pump/res was leaking. Have taken the EK drain plug out and fitted the plug which came with the reservoir and its no longer leaking. Means I have no drain port for now.

momo56 · 30 Dec 2021 at 00:08

sparkymark75 said:
Turns out it may have been the side drain port which was next to the part where the pump meets the reservoir and the way the water was escaping made it look like the pump/res was leaking. Have taken the EK drain plug out and fitted the plug which came with the reservoir and its no longer leaking. Means I have no drain port for now.

You need a 16mm-ish diameter extender if you want to use that particular port.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-extender-g1-4-nickel-wc-705-ek.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-w...-female-fitting-satin-titanium-wc-a4u-ek.html

Either one of those should do.

sparkymark75 · 30 Dec 2021 at 00:33

momo56 said:
You need a 16mm-ish diameter extender if you want to use that particular port.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-extender-g1-4-nickel-wc-705-ek.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-w...-female-fitting-satin-titanium-wc-a4u-ek.html

Either one of those should do.

Thanks, I do have a 14mm extender, hopefully that will do. I need to empty and flush the loop anyway as there appears to be some white froth in the res. Everything is brand new and the radiator was flushed (despite stating it was pre-flushed).

sparkymark75 · 30 Dec 2021 at 00:45

Tiggerlator said:
What about using a T on the out or in and having the drain there?

I’d have to order one and I like the EK drain plug as it’s smaller than a standard T piece.

Buttkicker · 9 Jan 2022 at 01:41

I have bought the EK slide drain port and have issues with it wont hold air at all when it is closed if i put the cap on it it does hold air but as soon as i take the cap off i can hear it hissing took me ages to find out what was going on so at some point will have to figure out my next move in regards to the drain port

was having major worries that the EK FLT 240mm res/pump combo was leaking so was mighty relieved when i discoevered it is a dodgy drain valve

Jay85 · 9 Jan 2022 at 14:45

sparkymark75 said:
So went to start leak testing my loop and it's failed at the first hurdle. I think I overtightened the bolts on the DDC pump to the IceMan reservoir and have stripped the threads on one (maybe two) of the holes on the reservoir. Enough to cause it to leak in the bottom corner where the thread is stripped. I'm guessing because I can't tighten it enough to seal the gasket on the pump.

Is there anything I can do to salvage this? Even if temporarily while I order another reservoir (which comes from China).

Ah man you should never over tighten, it only needs to be finger tight tbh as you're only squashing the oring to create enough compression to stop fluid from passing through. I've seen people over tighten to the point where the orings deform and no longer seal.

So reading on further on your posts, it seems like its not leaking from the ddc to res connection that's a relief! However i would still keep an eye on those threads you overtightened and stripped. Vibration from the pump over time will wiggle those screws loose so maybe some thread locker or teflon tape around the bolt will help keep it in place.

sparkymark75 · 9 Jan 2022 at 15:10

Jay85 said:
Ah man you should never over tighten, it only needs to be finger tight tbh as you're only squashing the oring to create enough compression to stop fluid from passing through. I've seen people over tighten to the point where the orings deform and no longer seal.

So reading on further on your posts, it seems like its not leaking from the ddc to res connection that's a relief! However i would still keep an eye on those threads you overtightened and stripped. Vibration from the pump over time will wiggle those screws loose so maybe some thread locker or teflon tape around the bolt will help keep it in place.

All a learning experience I guess. I put some plumbers tape in the one bolt I thought I may have over tightened and it’s been good so far. I do check for leaks every so often.

im4gine3 · 11 Jan 2022 at 10:23

sparkymark75 said:
All a learning experience I guess. I put some plumbers tape in the one bolt I thought I may have over tightened and it’s been good so far. I do check for leaks every so often.

plumbers tape/ptfe tape is a god send. I use it on all my connections, regardless whether it's needed or not.. gives me an extra sense of security