Used heatercores

[tcc]

I'm thinking of getting a 120mm heatercore (chevette) that has been used for a few months. I was wondering if there is a life span for heatercores (i.e. does it start to break down after so long, etc.)?

Thanks

[cartmanea]

Used in an automobile or used in a watercooling system? Either way, the heatercore won't break down, but corrosion may or may not be an issue depending on other components in the loop.

I have a single heatercore for sale if you are interested, or if you want to mod one yourself they are not too expensive.

[Bloody_Sorcerer]

you should clean it out; hydrochloric acid (preferably in low concentrations ;) ) will remove any copper oxide that has formed. also clean it with water to remove any dirt particles, etc from it.

[cartmanea]

Vinegar will work too.

[tcc]

Vinegar will work too.

At what ratio? and should I use tap water or distilled?

[cartmanea]

Distilled would be best, but for cleaning tap water will work too. Vinegar can be used without mixing. I've soaked steel metal parts in vinegar to remove rust before :)

[tcc]

So all I would need to do is place the used heatercore in a "bath" of vinegar?

[cartmanea]

Was it 'used' in an automobile or in a watercooled setup before? Never got an answer to that. Either way, if it isn't too cruddy inside, just flush it out with water and alcohol. Vinegar would only be needed if there is bad corrosion or deposits/buildup.

[tcc]

It was used in a previous WC setup.

I think I'll probably run it through some vinegar just to make it nice and clean :D

Can this method also be used for radiators (i.e. BIX/BIP)?

Also, how do you set this up?

My rig is currently air cooled. Do I hook up my rad/heatercore, pump and res, add some vinegar in the loop and let it run for a few minutes. Flush, repeat flush?

[cartmanea]

Unless its gunky inside just flush it with water. If you are going to use vinegar, then pour some into the rad with a funnel, fill it up, let is soak for like an hour or so. Flush it out after that and you should be good to go.

If you want to do overkill you can get some chemical radiator flush from an auto parts store.

[Crazykooter]

It was used in a previous WC setup.

I think I'll probably run it through some vinegar just to make it nice and clean :D

Can this method also be used for radiators (i.e. BIX/BIP)?

Also, how do you set this up?

My rig is currently air cooled. Do I hook up my rad/heatercore, pump and res, add some vinegar in the loop and let it run for a few minutes. Flush, repeat flush?
You want it to go raddy to cpu water block to gpu if you have one. then to pump back up to raddy.