Official EK statement - Nickel Plating Issues

[RADCOM]

Hey Phatboy and Aedubber it seems you both have a flaking problem lol Ironically you have a lot in common, chill guys, the written word often comes over a little different Can anyone answer my question re plating? Do we have any professional platers (lol) in da house?

Thats a very gracious statement Kayin!!

[Phatboy69]

Ok the b5 s4 is the bi turbo model you n00b which i made that clear in my first post, but you said the NEW s4 which here in the US is a supercharged motor. Thanks ! Yes i know im right .. You can easily find the b5s4s rolling around for under 20k , i know this cuz i was planning to build a 9 second twin turbo FYI once i found a rolling shell SO yes i know my facts, maybe you need to learn on how to make sense and speak english here buddy I am completely chilled but for you to come on here and talk ish about the mods and community is not right and i will stand up for that cuz thats how i learned everything from here.. Im only 28 years old, so i only got the 10 years under my belt but i know for a fact ill put your a$$ right into place , and yes your right there is no need for this discussion as i have officially called you out and you have nothing to say. AGAIN this thread is about EKs statement , not your hobby nor for you to attack people as you have in earlier posts, and i clearly made it clear i am getting at you cuz of the way your coming off to everyone here . What facts are you talking about? If you know facts why dont you show me your conducted tests ? Where are your facts troll ? I am stating what i have personally run in my loop, which are facts, but where are your facts?

I said "a" New not "the" New, i never ment the new one as it is only 18month old anyway. I said i had it for 7 years... anyway we digress...

Nice tough boy attitude but you dont scare me.

Lets examine the facts shall we...
1. There is something eating the nickel plating on EK blocks and other MFs are not effected
2. The forums erupted with accusations that EK were going to leave the customer high and dry and that they were trying to cover up a faulty product
3. EK told the community here and many forums globally that they were looking into it for the cause
4. EK did both internal and external independent testing as promised
6. They found that there is no evidence of reported flaking in all their samples
7. Problems have only been identified in products used in US and Australia
8. This issue is perplexing to them that it has only effected US & AU customers and the same products are shipped everywhere from the same manufacturing plant
9. The use of copper sulphate in loops and possible silver and other combinations of additives and other inherit metals in loops is causing an electrical charge to form in the loop and strip (galvanize) the plating
10. There have been reported cases of brand new unused blocks having defects - these defects are different from this reported corrosive issue but may in MY opinion possibly contribute to the issues.
11. EK have given clear RMA instructions that they WILL replace all affected customers products for a short period of time
12. EK have not stated that they have a plating issue and that it is an effect of the fluids and additives used by customers
13. EK are continuing to examine the issue and will further advise as information comes to hand
14. I am sharing an opinion that EK have done the right thing by the customer by replacing products despite the users use and so called "industry practice" of silver coils and additives in distilled water
15. I am being attacked for sharing this opinion
16. I am an EK user and I am concerned too, I have several nickel products in use for 12 months with no issue using premix thermaltake that i was bashed for using
17. I agree that EK could have handled this better
18. The "customers" complaining the loudest are not personally affected by this and are seeking to bignote themselves and try bully others because they have been around longer
19. EK have done a lot for the hobby that we extremist all enjoy so much and brought many great products to market
20. The bashers are not helping EK fix the problem and are doing brand damage and scaring existing and potential WC converts back to Air cooling, not just effecting EKs brand but others too
21. Ill say it again. EK could have handled this better but they at least offered a scientific evaluation and RMA replacement program
22. I have not personally attacked anyone, and I sincerely apologise if anyone has mistaken my comments for a personal attack

BTW the car conversation diverted a lot from my original comment about DIY coolants and if you would risk putting a self made concoction into an expensive car radiator. Im not talking about premade antifreeze, im talking about adding you own chemicals... no you just wouldnt do it would you? Any how thats how the topic of cars and modding came together and I was just defending my knowledge of such things.

[wermad]

Here's my "solution" in outfitting my Caymans on water:



nuff said

[Aedubber]

Great solution ! Mine will be Aqua blocks they perform awesome , looks great without any flaking going on, and shoggy is A+

Phatboy69 - But those aren't YOUR facts or YOUR tests . So if Eddy tells you to jump from a bridge you gonna do it? Im actually a very nice person and im not here to scare anyone , sorry that you feel that way. My discussions with you are officially closed . Have a nice life

[prava]

9. The use of copper sulphate in loops and possible silver and other combinations of additives and other inherit metals in loops is causing an electrical charge to form in the loop and strip (galvanize) the plating

This is false. If it were truth It would have happened with every other loop containing any nickel platted product: and it haven't.

Do we have a ton of posts about this same issue with Swiftech? Koolance? AC? Nope. Then, nickel is nickel, and thus the problem lies in that nickel-platting not being as good in different brands.

Trying to find stupid explanations for such simple problem is just trying to hide the truth: of course, for obvious reasons we might never know what went on (legal reasons) but, still, it speaks of quality control here.

[aqualab]

7. Problems have only been identified in products used in US and Australia
8. This issue is perplexing to them that it has only effected US & AU customers and the same products are shipped everywhere from the same manufacturing plant

I will not argue on your other arguable comments, but on this one you are WRONG, We have problem here in Canada too, Lowfat a well know member here even post of a pic of is 1 month old block with nickel plating issue.

[RADCOM]

I'm a hobbyist plater, but I will answer any question I can for you. I can make a recommendation if you want hard nickel on an existing block.

I wanted to know if the nickel plating process starts with a copper layer when plating copper or wether the copper layer is only for alternate metals. Has there been reports of flaking from countries apart from the US and Australia? do you guys have different water or water distilling process

[Phatboy69]

This is false. If it were truth It would have happened with every other loop containing any nickel platted product: and it haven't.

Do we have a ton of posts about this same issue with Swiftech? Koolance? AC? Nope. Then, nickel is nickel, and thus the problem lies in that nickel-platting not being as good in different brands.

Trying to find stupid explanations for such simple problem is just trying to hide the truth: of course, for obvious reasons we might never know what went on (legal reasons) but, still, it speaks of quality control here.

Actually I didnt say it would effect other MFs products, I specifically said it was effecting EK only, what point are you trying to make?

I will not argue on your other arguable comments, but on this one you are WRONG, We have problem here in Canada too, Lowfat a well know member here even post of a pic of is 1 month old block with nickel plating issue.

I have seen a post from Eddy stating this fact. I know you canuks dont like being branded US but your on the same continent.

[Aedubber]

I wanted to know if the nickel plating process starts with a copper layer when plating copper or wether the copper layer is only for alternate metals. Has there been reports of flaking from countries apart from the US and Australia? do you guys have different water or water distilling process

Page 6 will answer your plating questions .

[aqualab]

I wanted to know if the nickel plating process starts with a copper layer when plating copper or wether the copper layer is only for alternate metals. Has there been reports of flaking from countries apart from the US and Australia? do you guys have different water or water distilling process

Yes they are reports from other country, at least Canada, and for the water, yes you have different process that make different quality of distillated, RO or RO-DI water, as example, water can be distillated in stainless apparatus, or glass one , or silicate glass free one, and more….. why silicate free, because silicate is a main nutrient of many kind of algae. The distillated or demineralized water from grocery store is far from pure. If you use triple distillated water and filter it in a DI cartridge with silicate absorbing resin, no need for silver coil or whatever biocide.

[zalbard]

I think there are just less European folks present on this forum, that's it... And it's also easier to RMA using the shop you bought stuff at within EU.

[Phatboy69]

Phatboy69 read post 279 posted by YOU, last line.. You said other vendors AND ek.. Not just EK.

I meant its possible that other vendors have had QC issues too with plating at different times, not specific to this issue and on this scale obviously. Sorry for not being clearer.

[shazza]

I just went through and deleted a large number of posts - most of these were about car coolants and other arguments between people which had nothing or little to do with this issue. I probably should have removed a lot more, as this thread has already become virtually useless as a communication tool with EK.

[Interitus]

Well looks like I'm out a block. I haven't put mine under water yet so I can't really say it's defective, but I'm sure as hell not gonna find out. FrozenCPU wouldn't take mine back for exchange (not that I blame them, it's been forever) so me I guess lol.

I haven't hardcore inspected mine, but I'm not gonna open up a brand new block being as inexperienced as I am just to make sure it's not gonna destroy my loop. Mine does have incredibly bad milling marks on the outside though. Looks like the thing is under an ocean.

A lil off topic, but which of the Kryos blocks was the best? XT or HF? Probably looking at that or a Koolance 370 now to keep all my blocks with the nickel look.

[Aedubber]

Well looks like I'm out a block. I haven't put mine under water yet so I can't really say it's defective, but I'm sure as hell not gonna find out. FrozenCPU wouldn't take mine back for exchange (not that I blame them, it's been forever) so me I guess lol.

I haven't hardcore inspected mine, but I'm not gonna open up a brand new block being as inexperienced as I am just to make sure it's not gonna destroy my loop. Mine does have incredibly bad milling marks on the outside though. Looks like the thing is under an ocean.

A lil off topic, but which of the Kryos blocks was the best? XT or HF? Probably looking at that or a Koolance 370 now to keep all my blocks with the nickel look.

Well you can RMA it back and get EKs copper version blocks or have someone else plate the block for you . Option 2 would be bite the bullet and order a different block from a different vendor. The Kryos and Koolance blocks did very well according to the tests provided . So its really personal preference from there i guess.

[wesley]

I will not argue on your other arguable comments, but on this one you are WRONG, We have problem here in Canada too, Lowfat a well know member here even post of a pic of is 1 month old block with nickel plating issue.

I've a GTX295 Nickel block affected here in Asia too. The block is about 2+ years old. Won't send it back, too much cost. I'll live with it.

Next block will be a AC, lost faith in EK.

Wes

[aqualab]

Well you can RMA it back and get EKs copper version blocks or have someone else plate the block for you ...

do we really need to make them plated ?

[Interitus]

Well you can RMA it back and get EKs copper version blocks or have someone else plate the block for you . Option 2 would be bite the bullet and order a different block from a different vendor. The Kryos and Koolance blocks did very well according to the tests provided . So its really personal preference from there i guess.

I'm gonna take some pics of the bad milling marks and probably send them in as I'm not too happy with them even if the block isn't defective.

In all honesty I've had the block since November and only briefly examined it upon receipt to make sure the package was complete. I did peek at the block but only through the plastic bag and to take a few snapshots of it for my build log. Even in the pics I didn't notice the milling marks. This whole plating debacle is what really made me look at it closely. Shame on me for that I guess. Lesson learned.

Either way I wouldn't use a copper version. As I said, all my other blocks are nickel or nickel on the outside with copper inside (Enzo EV-X58 & Koolance 5850's). Whole reason I shelled out for the HF nickel was that it matched the other blocks in appearance. So I'd probably just try to sell off the replacement.

I would be perfectly happy with a Kryos or 370 though. It's just the thought of having to dish out another $100'ish for a CPU block. Not exactly in a high income bracket here. Already spent months saving the cash to gather the parts for my build, this is a huge setback for me.

Anyways, I'll stop complaining about it now. Just really peeved at how this has played out.

[Cyndre]

I have to agree with alot of other users that this is damaging to consumer confidence and that's often what drives a purchase.
I bought an EK Supreme HF Full Nickel in April and still have it sitting boxed and unopened waiting for mods to be done on my case.

I bought it due to exceptional review scores, a company with a good reputation and product quality.

Now I'm extremely concerned about placing this in my £1000+ loop in case of damage.
The advise to not use the standard biocides like ptnuke or silver goes against everything I've read on water cooling. As does using pre mixes.

So atm as a consumer I'm between a rock and a hardplace in that do I follow EK's advice and just drop the biocide exposing my systems to the problems of algae and growths? Do I have to fork out for pre mix solutions and have to deal with gunking?
Or do I stick in the silver and chance damage to my loop that will then be a case of tough luck?

What's really annoying about this is it leaves you unsure what is right to do
I'd rather keep my HF block to be fair as I like it but I also need to use a biocide so now what?

Also I understand the RMA is only for those with proven damage to them but mine is pristine in the box, so do I chance it might fail?

It's not hard to see why alot of consumers are angry as the only 'safe' solution that solves all this seems to be to buy another brand and fork out more money chalking up the EK block to a loss.

[wermad]

I'm looking into MetalX B-929 to strip the nickel. I won't send my blocks and pay for shipping, that's ridiculous. Plus, once the nickel is all gone, I can run copper with distilled with ease. I use to run all copper until I jumped on the nickel bandwagon, what a nightmare

[Erklat]

2/ I uninstall my block and find no visible defect but i don’t feel comfortable to carrying on using it or the EK brand – am i able to RMA???

So it boils down to rmaing product in fine working order. Over here you'd get laughed at, but I guess it all boils down to local laws and regulations. I myself would decline your claim based on your feel of discomfort, but I'm not in EK's shoes either.

[Darth_Penguin]

I am not sure if I stand in a minority with this thought but here goes:

I am worried that this incident will set a precedent going forward that any time a blocks plating shows signs of damage EK could/will void any warranty and deny an RMA. I understand that is not the case now until July 31st, But after that whats going to happen?

[aqualab]

Why not make a pool if members after this even and EK explanations are still confident in their products? can be usefull for EK for plan their next move

[wermad]

That will strip it, but read the directions and follow them to the letter-it's not very safe! It's sold for people to do this with but be sure to do it where you can get plenty of air. Fumes on it last I used it were enough to knock you down.

Thanks for the tip, I'll be sure to be outside. I did read a thread of old fashion rotary phones and a guy used it to strip nickel off brass quite nicely. He even plated the parts in a beautiful nickel finish, but I won't go this far.

Thanks again,

-wermad

[zeropluszero]

I just went through and deleted a large number of posts - most of these were about car coolants and other arguments between people which had nothing or little to do with this issue. I probably should have removed a lot more, as this thread has already become virtually useless as a communication tool with EK.

makes me wonder why you dont? or you just having as much fun as we are reading it?