GTX Corrosion

[Jedda]

Link to thread. More pics!




.

[septim]

copper top replacement time i'd say....

[dengyong]

Is that aluminum ?

[Jedda]

Yep.
Read the thread. Guys in Tokyo and they're only replacing with copper tops now he said. Seems they've had a few cases.
There's the rest of his pix in the link.
I only posted it because that's the first clear pic of deep pitting I've seen and I thought others might want to see it.

[sonofander]

makes me happy... I just got my GTX

[AliG]

As long as you take the proper precautions there's nothing to worry about, but that means changing your coolant every so often and also adding the proper additives to protect your block

[Jedda]

makes me happy... I just got my GTX

Its quite a good design, just add the copper top for safety's sake, I'd say.

[ElEctric_EyE]

Yeah it's only $40 from Petra's Tech Shop. Worth every penny!

[AliG]

I don't know about worth every penny, it should have been included in the first place

the customer shouldn't have to pay because swiftech decided to go on the cheap

[Mekrel]

Cue IanY stating it isn't corrosion because it's made by Swiftech

I have an analogy for the Swiftech Aluminium GTX top, and it goes something like this.

In a perfect world, car manufacturers wouldn't need to install seat belts or air bags because everyone does everything correct on the roads and wouldn't crash.

Meaning, Swiftech should have taken into consideration that users may not have coolants that won't eat away at the plated top, due to being new to water cooling, radiator flushing with vinegar etc.

You can quite happily have a contaminated loop with a FuZion, ApogeeGT etc and the blocks won't start eating away at themselves. Yeah, items may block the pin matrix' of both blocks leading to lack of performance but once it's cleaned the blocks good to go again.

[ElEctric_EyE]

So all that gunk cleans off of the copper where it collects when it separates from the aluminum? The copper is as good as new after water cleaning? BTW, can't link to the thread...

[nikhsub1]

And chainbolt is no dummy... he's been around a LONG time... more bad PR for Swiftech.

[nikhsub1]

So all that gunk cleans off of the copper where it collects when it separates from the aluminum? The copper is as good as new after water cleaning? BTW, can't link to the thread...

Yes, when al and copper corrode, it is the al that gets eaten away.... the copper will be just fine.

[Martinm210]

Ouch...

[rogard]

Distilled water loop?

[sonofander]

should be ok using penosttin g11 right?

[Jedda]

And chainbolt is no dummy... he's been around a LONG time... more bad PR for Swiftech.

Precisely,
and that's the Japanese distributor he's speaking of taking that position.

[Petra]

And chainbolt is no dummy... he's been around a LONG time... more bad PR for Swiftech.

Well, Gabe tried to pass off the one case that I came across as being calcium deposits... So, currently, I'm seeking the assistance of a lab specializing in metals corrosion, coatings/platings, and failure analysis to check out the part. I could just send it back to Swiftech but, despite what it may cost, this will be much more satisfying.

[Kayin]

I'm rather surprised, considering the spec sheet for those platings, but that's assuming they followed the spec sheet.

At this point, I'm really glad I have no Swiftech items in my loops...

[migueld]

Hmm my guess is that he is using an alu radiator and no proper coolant. 4 months is an extremely short amount of time for that much nasty corrosion... if that's the result of the GTX alone then a lot of people are in trouble.

What troubles me is that we can never conclude if and when alu will be a problem. There are those who never have an issue but others who have a hell of an issue. So which one is it?

After seeing these picts and all the bad propaganda in general I personally prefer trying to avoid aluminum, but, the uncertainty remains.

[ElEctric_EyE]

I am very satisfied with my Swiftech equipment. I was smart enough after researching this exact topic on here that aluminum and copper dont mix, unless you're trying to make a battery... As for those people that want to mass produce and slap stuff together without careful thought, they get what they deserve, a product that works for a time and then fails. As I like to say in the automotive business, it is "built to fail", usually 1 month after warranty is up; they are that good!. Now the company IMHO is smart to put a cheap top on, it gives the customer a cheaper option, and after all it is coated. If you use straight distilled water and change it on a regular basis I don't think you would see that kind of corrosion picture here. I mean there are chunks missing there! Now I also have a MCR320 triple rad, and from all the crap I hear that comes out from these things after they're flushed with hot water, I have not experienced any crud even after I did an initial flush with 50/50 distilled vinegar/water. And the MCP655 pump is super quiet and does not get hot like I hear other pumps do. So put that in yer pipe and smoke it! BTW I will post pics at the beginning of Jan before I do my first flush. This will be 3 months after using straight distilled water only, in a loop with coppper(WB's), brass(rad), and chromed steel(temp sensors and springs in quick disconnect fittings)

[IanY]

Jedda,

Kindly paste those additional pics in here please. I cannot view the link because it requires registration. I just took my own GTX apart for my son and there wasn't corrosion. I grant you that I use Hydrx, which many people don't want to use.

The guy up top, what equipment does he have in his loop and which radiator did he use? Anyway, I'm not in for a pissing contest but my view is that it isn't corrosion. Huge chunks of metal are missing. Why?

I will get Gabe in here to respond again.

Doesn't bother me at all. I'm letting my kid choose which block he wants, and I recommended the FuZion with nozzle because right now its the best performer.

Take all the cheap shots you want, and Mekrel, it isn't corrosion, so nice try

[Mekrel]

So you've seen a picture, can't actually see any more due to the need to register and you know it's not corrosion?

If it's not corrosion, why are we not seeing FuZions and other non aluminium blocks regularly being posted with pictures where crap has been deposited into the bock? Surely if it's user fault, and not dependant on the block itself, we would be seeing the same thing no?

Why don't you go blow your war horn for Gabe to arrive on his steed equipped with lance to do battle against the Aluminium Gestapo .. err I mean email him like usual?

[IanY]

So you've seen a picture, can't actually see any more due to the need to register and you know it's not corrosion?

If it's not corrosion, why are we not seeing FuZions and other non aluminium blocks regularly being posted with pictures where crap has been deposited into the bock? Surely if it's user fault, and not dependant on the block itself, we would be seeing the same thing no?

Why don't you go blow your war horn for Gabe to arrive on his steed equipped with lance to do battle against the Aluminium Gestapo .. err I mean email him like usual?

Sure, I'll e-mail him and let him respond. That's his issue, and its perrogative to deal with it.

The corroded block is someone else's. Its someone else's headache. Not mine. Mine's not corroded. Would I be upset both of mine are corroded? Heck yeah. I will scream bloody murder. So far so good.

Am I a jackass? Probably, but I can't do the worrying for someone else.

Yours isn't corroded is it? If the one above is corroded, then surely yours is corroded as well, right? Everyone else's must also be corroded as well. Well, is yours corroded ?

Pics of mine? I rather stick my penis through a meat grinder than post pictures. Give Nikhsub1 his administrator rights, please. NJKId32, Vapor, Movieman, PhillyBoy.. please.. just give him the right to ban people... then he can stop telling everyone who he would ban if he were a moderator...

Other than that, all I know is that my block is not corroded and I can sleep well. As far as the pic goes, it sux to be that guy. If he did something stupid like not use Hydrx/glycol, then its his issue. Otherwise, I'll just FIDO.

[Sabre2]

I decided to go with a GTX as well but I only have PT_Nuke and Distilled water in my loop.

From what I understand, I should put some Hydrx in my loop? I already ordered some last week cause I like the green color it gives.

Do I need to drain my entire system or can I add the Hydrx and it will mix itself over time? Will PT_Nuke and Hydrx together cause problems?