Cleaning out a WC System

[milkmandan]

So I have brand new WC system.

XPSC Bay Res, Thermochill PA120.3, Swiftech MCP655-B, 2x EK Supreme Water blocks.

How do I empty the entire system so I can clean it? I fear I did not clean my Thermochill well enough from the flux. Although I have yet to see any build up or unclear water. Its all pretty and pink right now, but who knows 1-3 months down the line :\

I'd wanna give my res/blocks a good soaking/cleaning as well.

So how does one do this job exactly?

[Stealth42o]

I fear I did not clean my Thermochill well enough from the flux.

Boiling water, rinse and repeat. Last rinse you use boiling distilled.


I'd wanna give my res/blocks a good soaking/cleaning as well.

Blocks use ketchup and a soft toothbrush.

Never had one of those reservoirs :shrug:

Or do a search
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=195766
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188102
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160924
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=156237
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=146344
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=136273
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=118609
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102074
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=96741
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=31086

[milkmandan]

Boiling water, rinse and repeat. Last rinse you use boiling distilled.

Blocks use ketchup and a soft toothbrush.

Never had one of those reservoirs :shrug:

Or do a search
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=195766
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188102
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160924
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=156237
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=146344
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=136273
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=118609
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102074
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=96741
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=31086
Thanks! Just did a search on that ketchup on waterblocks. Seems to work well! I do remember seeing some black deposits. Now I really should clean it.

No vinegar on the radiator?

Rather my question is how do i Empty the loop of the coolant properly? Without making a total mess. Do i leave the pump running while the liquid rushes out of the loop?
I want to be able to remove my rad from the barbs and everything. Unhook the waterblocks and remount later.

[Stealth42o]

Just un plug the tube at the lowest part of the system and gravity will do the rest.

Don't think you can do it without making a little bit of a mess.

[milkmandan]

Sorry for all the questions, try to answer them all if possible..

If i didn't clean out my Thermochill PA 120.3 Rad well enough and there is some left over flux or whatever, how will i know? Will the water get murky? or will i see large particles? How long does it usually take for the coolant to get dirty from left over flux?

Above the water line in my reservoir it looks as if there is condensation. is this bad?

[Stealth42o]

No problems on the questions bro, just paying back for everything EVERYONE has helped me with over the years.

Think it varies from rad to rad. I have seen some who didn't clean it out and just got some particles and a bit of gunk. I have seen other systems where it looked like they poured milk in the loop (Which actually looked really neat).

As far as time, I just read a post where a guy didn't do a good job cleaning out his rad and within 48 hours he had milk in his tubes.

It's one of those things where you can tell right away there is a big problem. If you have not had a "WTF" moment your fine.

Although I cleaned my TC rads twice. Better safe then sorry, or I need to up my meds :yepp:

[CERO]

Boiling water, rinse and repeat. Last rinse you use boiling distilled.
Blocks use ketchup and a soft toothbrush.


I see more peeps recommend ketchup for their blocks, but doesnt ketchup contains acid, which is actually bad for metal, or is the amount so small that it cant noticeable damage your blocks?

I got a VERY similiar setup, XSPC bay / PA120/3 / Swiftech MCP655 ( D5 Vario).
What I did like above mentioned Just boiling water ( use a funnel, watch out not to burn your hands while fillin). Use some tubes and make a small loop with it, then shake the hell out of it and flush it. I repeated this 4 times, altho i used 4 times distilled water, but u can use just tap water and like above mentioned last flush use distilled. Oh not to mention, the RAD gets HOT while the boiling water its inside and the heat dissipates, I used some gloves to hold it.

As for emptying the loop I did it yesterday my first time:P I just started from the Resevoir using a Syringe, so it wasnt messy at all. Just position the rad/pump block the way the water goes the resevoir.

[Stealth42o]

or is the amount so small that it cant noticeable damage your blocks?

Yahtzee. I would not recommend leaving your block in a bottle of heinz though :D

[CERO]

Yahtzee. I would not recommend leaving your block in a bottle of heinz though :D

:up:, what do u use for removing the ketchup afterwards, isopropyl?

[milkmandan]

:up:, what do u use for removing the ketchup afterwards, isopropyl?
IPA works, anything will do as long as you get it CLEAN and no residual sugar is left in the block. Finish it off with hot distilled water rinse.

I've actually heard that you are suppose to coat ur block with ketchup for 12 hours and then use a soft tooth brush and scrub it clean. then do a through rinse.

if i am wrong..correct me

[Xavior]

Ketchup, vinegar. All in the same line, the last one just doesn't have the salt to speed up the process. For some reason, we actually agree on using ketchup but disagree on vinegar, claiming that it'd ruin your rad and blocks.

In short: Acids can be used, just don't overdo it. To clean your blocks, disassemble them and rinse the copper parts with ketchup / vinegar+little salt. Don't leave them in too long, scrub them with a toothbrush and when they're clean, flush them and thoroughly dry them.


Above the water line in my reservoir it looks as if there is condensation. is this bad?

No.