Puzzling Problem

OncomingStorm

OncomingStorm

OncomingStorm

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Joined
8 Feb 2014
Posts
9
Recently i had to replace the XSPC 750 pump/res in my system after it died on me.

My loop goes Pump/Red > CPU Block > 240x120 rad > gpu block > 120 rad > Pump/Rad

Since i replaced the pump/res and tubing i have been getting large pockets air forming at the output barbs of both the cpu and gpu blocks that never seem to move with the flow and they seem to grow faster when they system is under full load although the cpu is running well within temperatures (even under full load) although the gpu is running a little warmer than i would like when pushed to its limit, but the temperatures rapidly drop when no longer under load. (Neither is overclocked currently until i can fix the problem)

At first i thought it was a loose hose letting air in so i replaced tubing and replaced all the barbs with compression fittings but the problem has remained.

There are no noticeable leaks anywhere in the loop I can find and no matter how many times i move the air pockets to the res the water level never seems to drop significantly although the loop seems to be ever so slightly pressuring itself (there is an audible hiss when removing the filler cap).

Any help or suggestions would be gratefully received.
 
Thanks for the reply the issue is that i get two different types of "bubble" the ones that stick to the sides of the tubing after filling usually work their way out within a few days or with some flicking of the tubing they move with the flow as you would expect.

The problem bubbles look like this

DSC_00071.jpg


and start to appear about 1 week after refitting the system (this happened both times) and once they appear visibly grow larger when the graphics card is under load but there are no leaks anywhere i can find, and no matter how many times i move it back to the pump by rotating the components it always returns, there are no visible bubbles entering the block and the coolant level never seems to drop. I'm completely at a loss as to what to do.
 
I always pass them forward through the loop to the return port on the res then open the fill port, i have probably repeated this procedure 100 times by now, and the bubble always returns and grows when the gpu is under load. It also seems to retreat into the block as it cools.

I too suspect some issue with the flow through the system but if that is the case i'm baffled as to why temperatures get pulled down so rapidly once no longer under load. And if this is the case is it a pump problem or a issue with the block itself?
 
Whenever i move the air to the res i always run the loop with the cap off for an hour or so.

Certain the cpu block is the right way around it is clearly labeled, and think the gpu is the correct way(its the same as when i first got the system but i will try to find a spec sheet and double check for that. The block is a XSPC Razor GTX580.

And in the bubbles seeming come from nowhere and seem to originate inside the gpu block and yet there are no leaks(at least detectable ones).

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys this has been driving me crazy.
 
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The fittings used are XSPC G1/4" to 7/16" ID, 5/8" OD Compression Fittings but the problem still occurred with the original barbs which i replaced when i assumed air was coming in at the barb, still glad i replaced them though at least i gained some adaptability and style ;) Block is a XSPC Razor 580
 
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I'm pretty certain now it originates inside the gpu block its almost as if as the block heats up something is closing off restricting the flow and causing a gap. So i guess the next step is to try to find a new block compatible with a GTX580 as these XSPC blocks are now discontinued.

My other speculation is the pump may not powerful enough although this seems unlikely as it manages to cycle the bubbles out perfectly fine when filling and bleeding. And i replaced it with the same res/pump that blew originally just an updated version.
 
Normally the flow seems fine you can't detect it visually but can feel the warm water being pushed out of the block in the pipe and cool water moving out of the radiators. When the bubble forms in the pipe though you can see a trickle of fluid running down the inside of the pipe past the bubble.
 
Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys sounds like i might have had a faulty pump all along. Gonna be hell without my rig waiting for a replacement. But hopefully it will fix the issue.

Thanks again.
 
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