Watercooling Question.

UnusualSuspect · 4 Nov 2007 at 09:53

Hey guys,

I set up my loop yesterday and was testing it for leaks overnight, no problems there. However, how the hell do you get rid of the tiny bubbles in the tubes? I've been switching on and off the pump for the last 2 hours and they're still swirling around in there.

They seem to be getting stuck on the sides of the tubes, I have to tap them with something to dislodge them so they start moving around again. It starts to look clear, then I turn the pump on for about 10-20 seconds and the bubbles come back.

Is this just a case of keeping on until they're gone, or is there some trick to getting rid of these things? Or do they even need to be removed? They're tiny, but they're still floating around the pipes. Especially noticable when they come out of the EK-8800, they swirl down the pipe to the radiator like little fish having a party.

I have it set up as follows:

Pump -> EK-8800 -> Radiator -> DD-TDX -> Reservoir/Pump

I'm using the pump with the alphacool top and res bay.

Any help would be good, I want to fit it all in today.

w3bbo · 4 Nov 2007 at 10:18

Yeah just leave it on - it'll clear in a day or so.

gremlin · 4 Nov 2007 at 11:38

I had the same problem with my set up (Thermaltake Tai Chi water cooled case) I read somewhere to place the case on its front and then power up. This worked atreat for me and the air bubbles cleared. Give it a go

UnusualSuspect · 4 Nov 2007 at 14:17

Well, the bubbles slowly disappeared. I left it running for some time then moved the whole loop around and the majority of the bubbles seemed to be sitting in the radiator. A few wiggles and it was mostly clear. However...

Why does there have to be a however? Dammit. I set everything up, attached the EK to the 8800, moved everything to the case and.. goddamit, didn't have the loop setup right.

When I was working it out, I had the tube coming out of the EK going into the top radiator inlet, then coming out of the lower inlet to the CPU (I know they're both on the top, but turn it sideways and you'll see what I mean). Well, somehow, when I put it all together, I'd put the EK going to the lower inlet and the CPU out of the top, and no matter how I twisted and turned it, they refused to go to the right place. Argh!

Not only that, but I didn't have enough water to refill it after I'd set it all up again. Double Argh! So I have to wait for more water to arrive before I can get it all set up. Triple Argh!

On the plus side, at least I know what I'm doing now.