Best way to prevent leaks?

[Zefram0911]

Hey guys...

I started doing a water cooling set up, but for the life of me I can't stop the darn thing from leaking. What's the best way to prevent leakage? I need help...

[Nate P.]

Check for cracks in all of the water cooling hardware, secure tubes to barbs with worm drive clamps, use correct sized tubing, make sure everything is tightened down correctly.

If you post some pics, we can probably help you more.

[Panthols]

Where is the leak?

[yonton228]

Dont over tighten the barbs!......That is a biggie IMO, also using thread tape can help. But as Nate P. stated

Check for cracks in all of the water cooling hardware, secure tubes to barbs with worm drive clamps, use correct sized tubing, make sure everything is tightened down correctly.

-yonton228/timmy

[Clockwork_Apple]

Where is it leaking?

[Zefram0911]

It's all leaking right at the barb and hose connection.

[Panthols]

If you are using 1/2" ID and 1/2" barbs make sure to have clamps on the hose, likewise for 3/8" w/ 3/8". If you are using plastic barbs, I'd reccomend teflon tape. Otherwise check how tight the barbs are, make sure the O-ring is okay, and do NOT over tighten. Probably 1/2 - 1 full turn past hand tight at the most, otherwise you will risk damaging the O-ring and causing leaks.

[Zefram0911]

One more question... what's the best way to drain your loops?

Great advice so far, thanks.

[Panthols]

It depends on the loop. Normally I'd reccomend unmounting the CPU and GPU blocks, holding that over what you are draining it into and disconnect/cut a section of the hose and let gravity do the rest.

[Zefram0911]

seems messy.

[Sideroxylon]

Best way to prevent leaks? Use air cooling...j/k (couldn't help myself)

The most important part of wc'ing is the setup. You've got some solid advice so far. Use clamps on all your connections, use teflon tape on barbs that don't use an o-ring, don't use too much teflon tape- just 2-3 wraps, and don't over tighten your barbs.

As far as draining your loop, just put a drain line in your loop towards the bottom. A T with enough tubing to hang out the side of your case will make draining your loop SOOOOO much easier.

[serial099]

Draining the loop can be most easily accomplished by adding a T-line/ and a fillport directly after the pump (some ascii art ahead)

|||| (fillport)
|
||
-----=||=(>pump)
^(out to cooling system)

well, all the | are *supposed* to line up, but when I post, it's not letting me, hopefully you get the idea....hmm....

[Zefram0911]

Draining the loop can be most easily accomplished by adding a T-line/ and a fillport directly after the pump (some ascii art ahead)

|||| (fillport)
|
||
-----=||=(>pump)
^(out to cooling system)

well, all the | are *supposed* to line up, but when I post, it's not letting me, hopefully you get the idea....hmm....

any links to pictures?

[serial099]

well if you imagine the || lining up (or copy it to notepad or something) it'll make perfect sense. I *know* this topic of best placement of a drain line has been brought up on this forum before

[mouawad]

best way to prevent leaks - use 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs

no leaks no clamps just tight as a virgin

[Zefram0911]

hmmm I thought about the smaller hose diameter... is it much difficult to get it on the barbs?

[mouawad]

nuke a jug of water in the microwave and then leave the tubing in it for 30secs or so ...goes on pretty easy ....very hard to get off

i only used masterkleer 7/16" for the first time last week but now i'll never use 1/2" again - it's great stuff.