Help, water block corrosion...

Ok, I made a mistake when building my rig. I basically ran it testing for leaks for 3 days. No leaks. Hurray. However I then drained the system and left it for a week. Unfortunately it wasn't utterly drained and there was some distilled water caught in the bottom half of some of my waterblocks. Having just looked at them, there is corrosion on the copper in these sections that must have trapped the water over the last week.

Is there any way I can clean this off? Ideally I want something I can run through the loop for a while rather than having to dismantle it all again.

afraid you are going to have to take it apart...

That's not corrosion. Corrosion would show up on aluminum parts. That's oxidization. Nothing really to worry about.

Broadly corrosion and oxidisation are the same thing...

What you will be seeing are probably copper oxides (can be red or black)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper%28I%29_oxide (copper 1 oxide)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper%28II%29_oxide (copper 2 oxide)

and copper hydroxides (which are white to green)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_hydroxide

Equation:

2Cu(s) + H2O(g) + CO2(g) ---> Cu(OH)2(s) + CuCO3(s)

So can I get rid of the oxidisation - maybe some vinegar in the loop for a bit then flush it?

I suppose that may work. Assuming you flush it thoroughly afterwards. Like hook the inlet of the pump to gallons of water and have the other just dump out to the sink

Don't put vinegar in your loop. Your loop already has no water in it. Take the block out (takes like what? few seconds? a minute?), unscrew the base, remove the O-ring, and use the vinegar. You'll be surprised at how fast it removes the oxidation. Wash it thoroughly, put it back together.

better if you remove said block and clean it. shortcut method is not recommended.

Does this oxidation compromise the integrity of the blocks? and... does it compromise it's efficiency? or is it just cosmetic?

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Originally Posted by Cassp0nk

Ok, I made a mistake when building my rig. I basically ran it testing for leaks for 3 days. No leaks. Hurray. However I then drained the system and left it for a week. Unfortunately it wasn't utterly drained and there was some distilled water caught in the bottom half of some of my waterblocks. Having just looked at them, there is corrosion on the copper in these sections that must have trapped the water over the last week.

Is there any way I can clean this off? Ideally I want something I can run through the loop for a while rather than having to dismantle it all again.

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Could you post some photos :D

Will see if I can take some photos. Clearly I didn't have enough Zerex in my loop. How many drops should I put in anyone?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cassp0nk

Will see if I can take some photos. Clearly I didn't have enough Zerex in my loop. How many drops should I put in anyone?

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5% Zerex racing coolant...no more than 10%

Is this on the inside of the block??? or on the outside??

How would you get corrison...are you mixing metals, ie aluminum and cooper???

it sounds like it's just oxidation from leaving the system drained with a little moisture

Yeah it is oxidation. I had nothing like enough zerex in the loop I guess. Wonder if it might just clear over time by itself? Really don't want to have to dismantle my loop...

The Oxidation is a protective cover. Heck it's in all out copper pipe in the hose for the water we drink, cook with and wash in. It's fine

I personally don't recommend using zerex if you don't mix metals. No need for it as it won't prevent a little oxidation. I was told that oxidation isn't a big deal anyway, and considering my MCW60 on my X1950XT was pretty well oxidized even after cleaning it yet I get load temps of no higher than 45C on it I don't think it is a problem :D

It looks nasty though and I've got some blocks with transparent tops...

i say you just take apart the block and fully sumberge the base in vinegar for a couple of hours

done..

Will do the work on the weekend and take some pics too. Thanks for the advice guys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ziddey

I suppose that may work. Assuming you flush it thoroughly afterwards. Like hook the inlet of the pump to gallons of water and have the other just dump out to the sink

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Are you talking about distilled water for flushing the radiator?