I've been using EK waterblocks for years, so I'm sure this is an isolated case, but if it happens once it can happen again and I'd hate to see someone's parts fried.
I took delivery of a bunch of WC stuff this morning (so about 14hrs ago), including an EK Classified FC block (nickel/delrin). Spent most of today setting up the loop, mounting the blocks, etc, then (thank God) did a quick leak test and within minutes got a soaked motherboard - since there was no power to the board at the time it's probably fine, but I'm not sure yet. I swapped out the delrin "TOP" bridge with the red acrylic one, so I thought that might be the problem, so I pulled it off, applied Vaseline, made sure it was all tightened down - still leaking. Next thought it might be the classic BP O-ring problem, swapped out for some Swiffy O-rings on the fittings - still leaking.
To cut a long story short, I changed practically everything in my loop, then, at my wits end, pulled apart the EK FC block (not thinking there'd be a problem as I hadn't touched it other than changing over the top bridge), and was unpleasantly surprised - there were no O-rings in the block other than one in the "TOP" bridge section. The block should have three - one in the PWM section, one in the "TOP" bridge between the two sections, and one in the NB/SB/NF200 section. I only have the one. No wonder the thing was leaking. As the box was still sealed with the "Factory sealed" stickers across all the edge, this is clearly a problem at the source, so please folks, check your EK waterblocks to make sure they've actually got O-rings inside them.
As it's now about 1:00AM for me, I can't do anything until tomorrow but I really, really don't want to ship the block back to the reseller - they're on the other side of the continent from me so that'll be about a weeks shipping there and back, plus expenses etc. Accordingly, can someone who has the EK Classified FC block please give me the measurements of the O-rings used in the NB/SB and PWM sections of the block so I can try and find an O-ring to suit in a hardware store? Much, much appreciated if anyone can help out - I'm kind of stuck right now.
And Eddy, if you're reading this, check your QC - this nearly cost me a $600 mobo.
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Rig specs
CPU: i7 920 @ 3.8GHz Mobo: eVGA Classified 760 RAM: 3x2GB OCZ DDR3-1866 Reapers @ 1,800, CAS-8 VGA: Sapphire HD5870 @ Core 900 Mem 1,250
HDD: 6x WD6400AAKS in RAID-6 powered by Highpoint RocketRaid 3520 SFX: Auzentech X-Fi Prelude
PSU: Corsair HX-1000 Case: Silverstone TJ-09 modded for WC OS: Win7 RTM x64 Liquid-cooled
Sub-loop One: EK-Supreme -=- MCR320, 3x Scythe S-FLEX "F" fans -=- 7/16" Pro-LRT -=- 7/16" BP compressions-=- MCP655 w. Typhoon III Sub-loop Two: EK Classified FC -=- 2x MCR120, Scythe S-FLEX "F" fans -=- 7/16" Pro-LRT -=- 7/16" BP compressions-=- MCP655 w. Typhoon III Peripherals
-=- Dell 2408WFP rev.A01 -=- Audio Technica ATH-AD1000 -=- Razer Mamba -=- Microsoft "Natural Ergonomic 7000" keyboard -=-
I recently got a whole bunch of EK stuff last week - 2 full cover waterblocks and a supreme - and all parts have O-rings. Haven't heard about anything like this from EK before. Don't bother stuffing around with trying to find an o-ring that will fit in a hardware store.
I am sure you will be looked after and have missing parts sent to you immediately if you contact EK and explain the situation.
Hi SoulsCollective, Thank you for making this therad so visible
Regarding the missing o-rings, I cannot deny that, but we have already fixed that possibility to ship leaking water blocks.
We have from beginning of july a testing machine with which we test EVERY SINGLE water block for leaking up to 2 bar pressure.
Luckily you did the leak test like advised in the manuals and generally by all watercooling users.
Please send us e-mail to support with your address and we will send you immedeately replacement o-rings.
Urgh, 14hrs with breaks for lunch and beer - not overly quick I would have found it earlier, but it's just not something you're expecting to have to check for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryan92084
ouch man, hope your mobo turns out ok
I very much hope so. If it's dead I really don't have the funds to replace it. It should be OK, though, no power to the board at the time and I've washed it off with ethanol and hairdryered it. I would put it out in the sun tomorrow, but it's been pissing down with rain lately.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seeker-
I recently got a whole bunch of EK stuff last week - 2 full cover waterblocks and a supreme - and all parts have O-rings. Haven't heard about anything like this from EK before. Don't bother stuffing around with trying to find an o-ring that will fit in a hardware store.
I am sure you will be looked after and have missing parts sent to you immediately if you contact EK and explain the situation.
Oh, hey, another Perthite
As I said in the OP, I've used EK blocks for years so it's definitely not likely that someone else would be affected, but if it can happen to one person it can happen to another. And I'm completely certain that I could get a replacement from Eddy, but shipping from Slovenia = problems given that RFLAN is this weekend and I really kind of wanted a working PC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddy_EK
Regarding the missing o-rings, I cannot deny that, but we have already fixed that possibility to ship leaking water blocks.
We have from beginning of july a testing machine with which we test EVERY SINGLE water block for leaking up to 2 bar pressure.
*pic snip*
Awesome. I wonder how I was able to get a leaking block in late September, though - must be old stock kept by the reseller, I guess.
I'll send through an e-mail, but given that shipping from the EU normally takes over a week is there any chance I could get the dimensions of the O-rings in the NB/SB/NF200 and PWM sections? It's going to be a massive pain to only have this crappy old laptop working for the next week and a bit, so if I can find something locally to suit that'd be fantastic.
Last edited by SoulsCollective; 09-29-2009 at 10:52 AM.
As I said in the OP, I've used EK blocks for years so it's definitely not likely that someone else would be affected, but if it can happen to one person it can happen to another. And I'm completely certain that I could get a replacement from Eddy, but shipping from Slovenia = problems given that RFLAN is this weekend and I really kind of wanted a working PC.
Hey there, I'll see you at RF hopefully
If you absolutely need to use the block through the weekend, I would get a small tube of gasket goo and run it along the dip where the o-ring goes, and seal it immediately after. It would create a good seal if you apply just enough to fill the trench and then have a little going over the top, and because it hardens into rubber-like stuff, its easy to remove when the proper o-ring arrives. Worst case scenario is that it won't work during your leak testing, and pulling the hardened gasket goo out would take seconds with next to no additional cleanup needed.
The stuff is about $5 for a tube at Super Cheap auto. Can't hurt to give it a go !!
Hi SoulsCollective, Thank you for making this therad so visible
Regarding the missing o-rings, I cannot deny that, but we have already fixed that possibility to ship leaking water blocks.
We have from beginning of july a testing machine with which we test EVERY SINGLE water block for leaking up to 2 bar pressure.
Luckily you did the leak test like advised in the manuals and generally by all watercooling users.
Please send us e-mail to support with your address and we will send you immedeately replacement o-rings.
Eddy
I want to build my computer in THAT thing. That machine looks freaking sweet!!!
--Cooling--
Swiftech Apogee GTX Copper Top, MCW30, EK FC 9800 GTX, MCP655 Vario Pump
Thermochill PA 120.3 with 3xAntec Blue Tricool 120m Fans
Enzotech MST-81 Forged Copper Mosfet Heatsinks x 2
Enzotech Low Profile South Bridge Chipset Cooler
EK-RES150 Reservoir, all fit with Bitspower Compression Fittings
The FC260GTX eddy found me (at the back of the warehouse somewhere when nobody else had stock) came with an incorrectly fitted o ring. It had slipped out of the channel and got pinched in the block. Soaked my mobo, but again leak testing so no power and a 24 hour dry out and all was well. There's always things that slip by, especially when volume producing stuff and aassembling by hand. The difference is if a dead gfx card ships out it doesnt make your pc into a water feature . Thats why we go through the extra fuss of leak testing etc, and tbh why water cooling will never really be mainstream. Its Eddy's after sales support that's won me over to EK. My whole rig is EK powered basically...
EK is not my first choice of blocks which is not due to quality issues: I am comfortable recommending his blocks along side others I have had good firsthand experience with (DD, Bitspower, Koolance current gen).The manner in which Eddy dealt with this complaint speaks well just as the other companies I recommend provide great customer serviice. He should be judged accordlingly.
this reminds me, i also have a problem/quality issue with the first EK block i bought, shipped directly from EK themselves. maybe i'll email them one of these days or just PM eddy...
I have a crap load of EK blocks and love them all. Heck in BP I think I have 5 of them plus their res...Geez! Eddy you better give me a discount on the 5870X2 water block!
this reminds me, i also have a problem/quality issue with the first EK block i bought, shipped directly from EK themselves. maybe i'll email them one of these days or just PM eddy...
Always immediately e-mail directly to us. We have solved all the problems as quick as it was possible.
I would have found it earlier, but it's just not something you're expecting to have to check for.
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