CPU block bubble issue

[JayCobs]

After yesterday's post I took my CPU block down again and cleaned it with the tenacity of a mad man!! Back up and running over 7hrs I still have a tiny bubble, which is A LOT better than the entire top of my block holding a bubble!!! The flow through the block is much improved from what I can see. If I cycle the pumps the bubble will pass through and then come back a lot later, which is an improvement also. My question: Is there a better brush I can use to clean the fins on this block? I used a tooth brush and a vinegar soak. Could I use a copper bristle brush perhaps? It feels like I am just polishing the block instead of cleaning it. Thoughts?...

 

[JayCobs]

You gon' get clean TODAY!!

The weapon of choice

Before:

After:

Update later.

Stay tuned...

 

[JayCobs]

It lives!

After 15hrs+ of operation, to my utter disappointment the bubble has returned.

I restored the CPU block to damn near stock, checked the plexi for any imperfections. I mean, this thing almost looked the way it did when I pulled it out the box initially. I don't know what else to do.

I welcome any ideas as I am under the impression I have exhausted all solutions sans purchasing a replacement.

HELP!!!

 

[Surfie]

Well I'm no expert but if that crap hose did that to your cpu block could other blocks not also be effected? Perhaps the cpu block is merely where it (ie the bubble) is getting stuck?

What other blocks do you have?

 

[SuB]

Have you contacted the block's manufacturer about this?

 

[Surfie]

The only other thing I can think of is to try using a bright dye in your coolant and see if you have a micro leak somewhere. I.e. a leak whereby a couple of drops of liquid are essentially resealing the leak.

 

[JayCobs]

Well I'm no expert but if that crap hose did that to your cpu block could other blocks not also be effected? Perhaps the cpu block is merely where it (ie the bubble) is getting stuck?

What other blocks do you have?

I was also thinking along those lines. I have a Bitspower Memory Block. That one is acrylic and I can't see any blockage. Also, I have two Heatkiller GPU-X3 HD 79X0 blocks. Possibly those could be in as poor condition as my CPU block was. However I have two MCP655s with the Bitspower dual pump top and I doubt bubbles forming in the GPUs would be able to fight the flow back to the CPU. My CPU block is before my GPUs. I have watched the system closely when cycling the pumps and I've never seen any bubbles travel from the GPUs back to the CPU.

Have you contacted the block's manufacturer about this?

At this point I have not. However, that might change very soon if I clean my GPUs and this annoyance continues.



Thanks for the help gang. Wednesday I'm going to clean my GPU blocks [if needed]. Also I am going to run my loop with the CPU block exclusively to eliminate other blocks contributing to the bubble. If the bubble appears from that test, I will have to contact EKWB for hopefully on overlooked solution and | or replacement.

Stay tuned...

 

[Astaroth]

A while back I used some tubing from Home Depot. Lesson learned. Now I have Primochill LRT.

If it's advanced LRT, you can relax. If it's PRO LRT there are very good odds you will get plasticizer in your loop. They had some real horrendous batches of PRO LRT before they released the advanced. Still got 15 feet, completely useless.

 

[Warchild]

I just feel like there is something restricting your flow, otherwise the average pump would push that bubble out.

On a side not. Fantastic job on the cpu block cleaning. I never managed to get it that clean!

Could your GPU blocks also be block? What is the rest of your loop like?
Could it be that you have many 90degree fittings etc and restrict your loops flow.

Where does the water flow to from your CPU block? maybe there is some restriction after the cpu so the water gets to the block but then hits a wall so to speak.

edit** just went back and looked at your pics. Are you 100% sure mem block is gunk free?

Alternatively I would contact EK and ask for advice from them.

 

[JayCobs]

If it's advanced LRT, you can relax. If it's PRO LRT there are very good odds you will get plasticizer in your loop. They had some real horrendous batches of PRO LRT before they released the advanced. Still got 15 feet, completely fucking useless.

PrimoFlex Advanced LRT :rock:

I just feel like there is something restricting your flow, otherwise the average pump would push that bubble out.

On a side not. Fantastic job on the cpu block cleaning. I never managed to get it that clean!

Could your GPU blocks also be block? What is the rest of your loop like?
Could it be that you have many 90degree fittings etc and restrict your loops flow.

Where does the water flow to from your CPU block? maybe there is some restriction after the cpu so the water gets to the block but then hits a wall so to speak.

edit** just went back and looked at your pics. Are you 100% sure mem block is gunk free?

Alternatively I would contact EK and ask for advice from them.

I count 12 90 degree fittings out of the bunch. If it's slowing my flow I can't see it with the naked eye. The return to the res is visibly turbulent if my 150 is less than half full. When I am refilling the loop my res empties in 1 sec or less. Also, I previously mentioned in an early spot I rerouted the loop so that the CPU block was first after the pumps to eliminate fitting restriction as an issue. In that config I received the sinister bubble also. However, since cleaning my CPU the bubble has not grown as it did before. Prior to cleaning I would bleed the system, tilt the build to pass the bubble, and over the next couple of hours the bubble would grow so that the top portion of the CPU block would be bubbled. I could see the copper plate while the system was running!! As I write this the bubble has not increased. Funny thing is I've seen smaller bubbles get pushed around the sinister bubble during refilling and pump cycling - weird? :huh:

Pics of my current loop:
the beginning...

...the first 2 480s...

...the 3rd 480. The acrylic goes to the CPU block IN

The Loop:
150 Res - Dual Pump top MCP655 - 480 rad - 480 rad - 480 rad - CPU block - Mem Block - GPU block - GPU block - 150 Res

It's going to suck balls if cleaning my GPU blocks do not pop the bubble. :cussing:

*NOTE*
My coolant is off-colored 'cuz I'm running out of Mayhems Pastel White and adding distilled water 'til I place another order

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

Did you remount your cpu block correctly ?

By correctly i mean the fins in the copper base perpendicular to the jet-plate ?

Edit: Are you using the correct jet-plate ? I ask because in the pics below you seem to be using the one for 2011 Cpu's if i'm not mistaken ?! This could maybe cause the bubble ???

 

[JayCobs]

More pics:

*NOTE*
The Bitspower Black Sparkle extension at the bottom of the GPU block connector is to brace the GPUs - not part of the loop

Did you remount your cpu block correctly ?

By correctly i mean the fins in the copper base perpendicular to the jet-plate ?

Yes. I kept the original orientation from the factory.

I am using the J1 jet plate. Not the J2 or J3.

 

[Warchild]

One thing you can do before cleaning the GPU blocks its to bypass them altogether. If you have some spare tubing that is.

Might be worth cleaning or checking the Memory block though.

It could mean going back to absolute basics. Rip it apart and instead of fittings, buy some cheap masterkleer tubing and make a simple loop. What PWM % do you have your pump running at?

edit* Maybe using just dilled water without mayhem pastel can help locate the source of the trouble, visually.

 

[JayCobs]

What PWM % do you have your pump running at?

My pump model only has the red dial on the back. I was running them at 5 from jump. I just bled the bubble again and set them to 4. Hopefully I don't have the bubble when I get home from work.

 

[SparkleDJackson]

how on earth can you manage with the thing set to 5. i have mine set to three and its loud enough

 

[JayCobs]

how on earth can you manage with the thing set to 5. i have mine set to three and its loud enough

Strange. :huh: I can barley hear them on 5. I'm not sure what you consider loud. I have to put my ear close to them to hear anything.

 

[Feronix]

Strange. :huh: I can barley hear them on 5. I'm not sure what you consider loud. I have to put my ear close to them to hear anything.

That awkward plot twist when your pump was malfunctioning all along...

 

[SparkleDJackson]

Strange. :huh: I can barley hear them on 5. I'm not sure what you consider loud. I have to put my ear close to them to hear anything.

when i crank mine to 5 i can see the turbulence easy and the micro bubbles it creates.

That awkward plot twist when your pump was malfunctioning all along...

lmao

 

[Warchild]

That awkward plot twist when your pump was malfunctioning all along...

This!

Probably was pump flow all along. If you can't hear that at 5. Either you are losing your hearing or its not working right. Shame you didnt have a flow meter available.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong. are all EK waterblocks designed the same i.e inlet on same side for all?

One thing sprang to mind is that my CPU block is mounted upside down ergo, inlet on the left. I know its upside down due to the invert logo in top left corner.

That being said, if your block is upright and your inlet is also on the left, could it be that you got the in/out wrong way?

Here is mine, and even on 20% PWM my pump pushes water like crazy. MCP 35X ftw!

 

[JayCobs]

That awkward plot twist when your pump was malfunctioning all along...

There's is nothing wrong with the pumps. Trust they are PLENTY loud when there is air in the loop...and it's annoying! I have my loop configured currently to bleed fast 'cuz I can't STAND that gargling noise. It's not pretty, but, bleeds in less than 5mins. Once bled they are quiet. Now if everything else in my cave is turned off you can hear them, but it's definitely not as loud as the previous comments describe.

This!

Probably was pump flow all along. If you can't hear that at 5. Either you are losing your hearing or its not working right. Shame you didnt have a flow meter available.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong. are all EK waterblocks designed the same i.e inlet on same side for all?

One thing sprang to mind is that my CPU block is mounted upside down ergo, inlet on the left. I know its upside down due to the invert logo in top left corner.

That being said, if your block is upright and your inlet is also on the left, could it be that you got the in/out wrong way?

Here is mine, and even on 20% PWM my pump pushes water like crazy. MCP 35X ftw!

The pump you have is MAD powerful. My Supremacy is configured exactly the way it arrived in the box. Inlet on the left, outlet on the right. I watched a couple of unboxing videos, and they are configured like mine every time.