Can anyone help me with what's going on with my block?

[Kozato]

Hi,

I just got my EK FC-GTX580 back from RMA last weekend.

I received a new EN nickel plated version and to my surprise it came with standoff mounting instead of the previous plastic washers which requires the use of thermal paste to keep them in place.

So I tore apart my loop, rinsed everything with hot water and then distilled water and fixed everything back.

But unfortunately, within 2 days of the loop running, this happened:



The loop is running pure distilled water with silver kill coils.

The brown color stuff you see in the channel of the block is not things floating in the water but what looks like to me that the nickel plating is fading off! The color look like oxidised copper to me.

I want to know what happened with my block as there's no way I am going to wait another 6 week just for another RMA if the new block is gonna be the same.

Anyways I am going to take apart the block tomorrow to see what those brown things are.

[eXa]

Nice flash going on there....

[Kozato]

I couldn't get a clearer shot since it's at night when I took this shot

[tiborrr]

http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/index.p...t01returnid=17

[Kozato]

And wait 6 weeks for another block? This issue leaves the quality of the plating in question.

[ggdh]

And wait 6 weeks for another block? This issue leaves the quality of the plating in question.

Uhm? Just open the block and wipe it with a cloth... If the stains persist then RMA.

[Utnorris]

And wait 6 weeks for another block? This issue leaves the quality of the plating in question.

You might want to check the link first. They are suggesting it might just need to be cleaned. Sometimes this happens. A chemical residue left over from something or whatever. I had a Koolance bleed tube that appeared to be rusting, but after taking it apart the brown substance could be easily removed. My point is, don't panic yet, take some pics and email EK. They will tell you to pull it apart and if you find it really is corrosion then it will be covered still by the warranty. Yes, it's frustrating, but sometimes these things happen. Post back what you find out.

[Kozato]

Sorry guys. I wanted to delete my previous post but the browser on my iPhone wasn't working well.

Yeah, I intend to take it apart tomorrow to try cleaning it. Looks like I have to flush my loop again.

[Sparky]

Just curious, did you clean the inside of the new block before installing it, or just clean the rest of your parts and not that one?

[Kozato]

@Sparky

I flushed everything with hot water from the tap and then using a funnel and a tubing attached to whatever block or radiator I use, I will pour distilled water in to rinse the tap water out before installing them into my loop.

Anyways I have attached a clearer photo above. The side nearer to the I/O ports look like there's a little bit of flaking.

[Utnorris]

Before opening it up I would suggest sending EK the pictures and letting them tell you to break the seal. That way you do not void the warranty. I know you do not want to send it back again, but, if it turns out it is corrosion then you can RMA it and just grab a different block and then sell the new one when it comes back. Not a total recovery but better than nothing.

[defect9]

looks like residue buildup to me. I'd probably try jabbing a q-tip in there to see if i could wipe some of it off.

[Church]

Utnorris: EK's seal sticker removal DOES NOT void warranty. It's been stated many times in this forum. It just tells that block is EK tested against leaks, not that removing it will void warranty.

tiborrr, Eddy: maybe it's worth to remove that sticker altogether? I've seen this EK sticker=warranty controversy several times too many. Imho it does more bad then good by growing misconceptions in most cases when majority of users wrongly assume by default that it's warranty related.

[zeropluszero]

problem is, is you're running derp blocks.

[Copie]

problem is, is you're running derp blocks.

Haters gonna hate.

[.::NeO::.]

The loop is running pure distilled water with silver kill coils.

Is your kill coils fine? I mean, does it look discolored?

I've seen a lot of "fake" kill coils around, most of them aren't pure silver and just plated.

Also, what fittings are you using atm?

[paulbagz]

Haters gonna hate.

Its all he ever does (anything EK related).

Bit of an anti-EK hipster really.

-PB

[Kozato]

Is your kill coils fine? I mean, does it look discolored?

I've seen a lot of "fake" kill coils around, most of them aren't pure silver and just plated.

Also, what fittings are you using atm?

They are still silver in colour, look the same as when I bought them.

I am using bitspower silver shining fittings.

Currently the stains or "corrosion" is only found on the gpu block. My reservoir, tubings and cpu block DO NOT SHOW similar stains.

[Utnorris]

Utnorris: EK's seal sticker removal DOES NOT void warranty. It's been stated many times in this forum. It just tells that block is EK tested against leaks, not that removing it will void warranty.

tiborrr, Eddy: maybe it's worth to remove that sticker altogether? I've seen this EK sticker=warranty controversy several times too many. Imho it does more bad then good by growing misconceptions in most cases when majority of users wrongly assume by default that it's warranty related.

I was just basing my answer on the link from Tibor. I didn't want the guy to take the block apart and then EK not RMA it if it needed to be. I guess I should have been clearer on my response.

[lowfat]

What would you guys suggest for cleaning nickel plated blocks?

[Sparky]

Its all he ever does (anything EK related).

Bit of an anti-EK troll really.

-PB

Fixed

What would you guys suggest for cleaning nickel plated blocks?

EK's site says something about using a non-abrasive metal cleaner or polish. I guess just be sure to get it completely rinsed off before putting it back in your loop.

[Kozato]

Alright just an update guys.

I took the block apart and cleaned it up.

Unfortunately there's this black stain which I can't clean off that is near the center screw with the o-ring around it.

but nevertheless, the block looks great now:

[Section8]

Keep us posted after it has been back in use for a while and let us know if it returns.

[Utnorris]

Nice job cleaning it up. But yes, keep us posted on any recurrences.

[NaeKuh]

not suposed to use polish..

it leaves a coat on your top layer which hinders thermal transfer.

Your suposed to wipe the residue, and then wipe again so you get bare metal instead of polish.


Glad to see it was just a stain and not actual breakage of nickle....