Faulty MCR220-QP or is this normal?

[warbux]

Anyone who has followed my worklog knows that I let my lil bro help me and he put a screw through my MCR220-QP. I attempted to fix it but it was not going to happen. To many leaks. So I purchased another one and this time installed it myself.

Last night I got the loop finished, I started leak testing and everything was fine. About 3 hours after I started leak testing I looked at the paper towels in my case and they were still dry. I was going to take some pics to update my work log when I noticed there was some water at the bottom of the radiator. It is between the radiator and where it screws in. Its REALLY strange, it wont leak onto the bottom of the case and when the pump is turned off it will evaporate and not fill the little space on the bottom of the radiator. However as soon as you turn on the pump you can put a paper towel down on the opposite corners of the barbs and it will start to soak up water.

Is this normal? my thermochills have never done this, and like I said you would NEVER notice it because it wont leak enough to fall to the bottom of the case.

I have the radiator mounted upside down. I have not tested it to see if it would happen if the radiator was mounted with the barbs at the bottom or not. Can anyone with a MCR220-QP check there corners and see if there is any traces of water there?

I dont want to RMA this if the next one is going to do the same thing. I mean the water does not fall off the radiator, it seems like when there is pressure inside the radiator there is a small leak somewhere and somehow after a little water builds up it seals itself. I know that sounds strange but I ran it all night last night to verify that no water would spill and sure enough it didnt.

[SparkyJJO]

No it isn't normal, you should never have water outside the radiator.

[warbux]

No it isn't normal, you should never have water outside the radiator.


LOL I know thats what I said, however unless you actually put some paper towel there you would never notice it, when I had the pump turned off I even tiped case upside down and it didnt leak, the only way I could get it to leak is when I had the pump on and turned it upside down it finally fell off the radiator.

[SparkyJJO]

My MCR320 is bone dry all the time (good thing otherwise my whole PC would be wet, my rad is in the roof of my case). Sounds like you are just having some bad luck recently :(

[Clockwork_Apple]

I just checked my MCR320-QP... no water in the place you said, no water anywhere on the outside of the radiator.

RMA it.

[warbux]

My MCR320 is bone dry all the time (good thing otherwise my whole PC would be wet, my rad is in the roof of my case). Sounds like you are just having some bad luck recently :(

I just checked my MCR320-QP... no water in the place you said, no water anywhere on the outside of the radiator.

RMA it.


yea going to RMA it, if anyone does find water there post it here I would be interested to know.

Im glad the MCR220's dont normally do this, I was going to order a BIT or a 120.2 but the 120.2 is overkill its for a secondary loop (NB,SB,Vreg,RAM)

[stormshadow]

i have two in my A05 with no issues.

where exactly is it leaking from? You mentioned that you punched a whole through your last one which is kinda ... careless i guess?

and your mentioning screws again...
It is between the radiator and where it screws in.

what does that mean? the barb or the screw holes? Did you screw too far again?

[SparkyJJO]

stormshadow, it was his brother that punctured his first rad.

[stormshadow]

ahh... thx for the clarification.

fogivaness plz.

so where exactly is the leak? Which 'screw' are you referring to?

[KaptCrunch]

1/4" NPSM threaded hubs (BSPP and G1/4 compatible) for maximum compatibility with various tubing installations.

humm threaded straight pipe from factory = Straight Thread O-Ring Boss (ORB) fittings (http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/v/vspfiles/photos/4604-PARENT-2T.jpg)

[madmaxx]

1/4" NPSM threaded hubs (BSPP and G1/4 compatible) for maximum compatibility with various tubing installations.

humm threaded straight pipe from factory = Straight Thread O-Ring Boss (ORB) fittings (http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/v/vspfiles/photos/4604-PARENT-2T.jpg)

think ur right Kapt

try using a fitting like the Kapt linked too or try a "captured o-ring style fitting" or try some thread tape/sealant on the fittings if it doesnt work swap out the fittings as i think thats the cause of ur troubles

[Chewbenator]

Make sure the barbs don't loosen while the pump is on. When I first tested my loop the water pressure would cause one of the barbs to loosen. The tube was twisted and the barb wasn't screwed far enough in, make sure this isn't the case.

[gabe]

Last night I got the loop finished, I started leak testing and everything was fine. About 3 hours after I started leak testing I looked at the paper towels in my case and they were still dry. I was going to take some pics to update my work log when I noticed there was some water at the bottom of the radiator. It is between the radiator and where it screws in. Its REALLY strange, it wont leak onto the bottom of the case and when the pump is turned off it will evaporate and not fill the little space on the bottom of the radiator. However as soon as you turn on the pump you can put a paper towel down on the opposite corners of the barbs and it will start to soak up water.

Is this normal?

It isn't clear to me based on your explanation where the rad is leaking.
Just to be sure, please read: http://www.swiftech.com/products/MCR%20radiators%20installation%20precautions.pdf.

other than puncturing the tubes with mounting screws, all I can imagine is a fitting that isn't tight enough. I can't recall any instance of one of these radiators leaking as a factory defect.

[HotGore]

Can you take a picture of exactly where it is leaking? I am not sure if you mean the barbs, or the screws holding the rad to the case.

[KaptCrunch]

best dry it up with paper towel then wrap fittings with paper towel an test run an see where it gets wet first

[Martinm210]

Both of my 320's are dry.

Only time I had a leak was user error when I used screws that were too long...oops. A little soldering later and all was well again.

Check the barbs first, then try some very low pressure compressed air (Like 5-10psi max) with the radiator in a bucket of water to see where the leak is coming from.