Help! Leak! :(

[wrenaudrey]

Ok built my loop and cable managed all day yesterday. Came to this morning and i decided i would fill it.
So i was filling along, it got to full water circulation and no leaks around the barbs.
So i decided to see if the speedo changer works so changed it. So from 3 went to 2 then 1. So it was pretty nice at 1 so i wanted to go to the other side, 5. So from 1 to 2 it was fine, got to 3(where i started), liquid started leaking through the locking mechanism of the pump and pump top, where the o-ring sits. So i stopped the power supply. Turned it on again and at 3 it leaks so i didnt go any further. Went back to 2 then 1, it was fine, go back to three, BOOM leaked again.

Here are the components used:
Alphacool VPP655T
Alphacool HF D5 TOP Plexi/Clear
Phobya 150 Balancer
Alphacool 60mm 360 & 240 rad
EK Supremacy Nickel Plexi
XSPC Razor Titan w/ backplate
XSPC Barbs, 1x90s & 2/3x45s
Primochill Advanced LRT


After it leaked the 3rd time, i just decided to empty it out and take out the res and pump combo.
Anybody know what is causing the leak because i did put the o-ring in the right place and i thought i did bolt them both down tight enough that this wouldnt happen.

When ove taken it out the case

Also, is it normal that the pump noise is fairly loud at 3?

 

[WYP]

are you sure you assembled the pump correctly?

 

[wrenaudrey]

are you sure you assembled the pump correctly?

Please expand. What do you think i havent put together correctly?

 

[airdeano]

sorry to hear of this type of failure, but that's why we leak check.

only thing that comes to mind on pump top leakage is:
did you use the O-ring from the original pump housing or the new O-ring included
in the pump top kit?
never used the Alphacool tops, but i did the same with a Bitspower top (used OE
O-ring) instead of the Bitspower supplied O-ring and i had a leak (hemorrhage).
plus, now i use a silicone lube on O-rings to prevent dry-fit distortion.

 

[WYP]

Please expand. What do you think i havent put together correctly?

sometimes when replacing a pump top even varying slightly from instructions can be very bad, as was said in another post you may be using the wrong o-ring or simply a bolt may not be tight enough. both of which are very simple mistakes to make.

 

[wrenaudrey]

I didnt have an oring come with the pump but there was one with the pump top, so im using that.


Leak checking? This was kinda my 'leak check' haha
But now that ive taken it out, ill leak check it.
Is this method good enough: assemble pump and top, add reservoir and make a loop, run it using DI water?

 

[WYP]

hmm, ok.
usually when an o-ring leaks its due to it being too small, or that there is little to no force on it to make it seal correctly. your o-ring should be correct if it came with the top!

if it continues to leak, you can always use some silicon to waterproof it

 

[wrenaudrey]

hmm, ok.
usually when an o-ring leaks its due to it being too small, or that there is little to no force on it to make it seal correctly. your o-ring should be correct if it came with the top!

if it continues to leak, you can always use some silicon to waterproof it

Ooooh silicon! My dad has alot of them haha Where would i apply this, outer side of the pump and top; where they're bolted together, inbetwwen the pump top bottom and pump top top; sandwiching the silicon together or where?


And about my way i explained way to leak test, will that be sufficient? Will that replicate the pressure(if there even is) when put in a full loop?

 

[mArTyN]

"O rings" can often become dried out. This can lead to the fittings not being able to compress it effectively (the surfaces are dry and drag on the ring). Usually a very small amount of petroleum jelly or vaseline rubbed well into the o ring will cure this and hence stop the leak.

hope this helps

mArTyN

 

[mArTyN]

***Don't use silicon from a tube*** I think what was meant was silicon grease (as used by plumbers)

 

[WYP]

your leak testing procedure is fine, it is literally the only way, leak cheaking is building the loop and keeping an eye on it for the first few hours of operation.
by pressure i mean when assembling the pump/pump top so that water cannot pass around the o-ring.

i would apply silicon to o ring, and yes i mean silicon grease! (thanks mArTyN for helping me clarify)

 

[wrenaudrey]

your leak testing procedure is fine, it is literally the only way, leak cheaking is building the loop and keeping an eye on it for the first few hours of operation.
by pressure i mean when assembling the pump/pump top so that water cannot pass around the o-ring.

i would apply silicon to o ring, and yes i mean silicon grease! (thanks mArTyN for helping me clarify)

Oh silicon grease! That's not the same as silicon sealant right?
And about the leak checking, if this problem in the first place dosnt occur i would be leak tesing like normal.
But what im saying is that, could i leak test JUST the pump and pump top without the restof the components like rads and blocks.

 

[WYP]

well you can make a mock loop out just of the reservoir and the pump if you just want the pump tested!

no sealant isnt the right stuff! use silicon grease, or alternatively vaseline or petroleum jelly. rub that into the o-ring and a small amount around where it makes contact with the pump/top.

PS: mArTyN, double post! tisk tisk!

 

[wrenaudrey]

Gahh! Gwtting really annoyed now!
I've disassembled it and put it back together tightening it even further without craxking the plexi.
And STILL when i turn the speedo to 3, it leaks! ARGHHH!
I still havent tried lubing the oring up cause 1. I dont have silicone grease and 2. I heard pretoleum jelly destroys rubber because some chemical reaction may take place

Any other suggestions? Or do i have to surrender to the faulty pump top and contact specialtech? :S

EDIT: because you're not allowed to double post :/

Here are some more pics:

Just uploading to see if you guys can figure out whether or not i have a thin oring or whatever

 

[WYP]

having never worked with that pump top i cannot say that the o-ring is too small.

i would return it and get another top, you could try and get a different o-ring but returning it may be less effort.

 

[SparkleDJackson]

I have used that top and pump combo for a year. When building I found the supplied o ring to be a little too thing so I used the oring that comes in the standard d5 housing. It was a few sizes heavier so the thing was tight to get on but I never ever had a problem with it. It even made tightening the screws harder. Try that test fit bud and go from there

 

[wrenaudrey]

I have used that top and pump combo for a year. When building I found the supplied o ring to be a little too thing so I used the oring that comes in the standard d5 housing. It was a few sizes heavier so the thing was tight to get on but I never ever had a problem with it. It even made tightening the screws harder. Try that test fit bud and go from there

Oh man! I could and would have done this but the damn pump didnt come with any accesory at all not even the o-ring i so desperately need

5th time ive tried to resit and readjust the o-ring and bolts and even the way the pump is positioned on the pump top and nothing, still leaks.

*sigh*

 

[WYP]

Oh man! I could and would have done this but the damn pump didnt come with any accesory at all not even the o-ring i so desperately need

5th time ive tried to resit and readjust the o-ring and bolts and even the way the pump is positioned on the pump top and nothing, still leaks.

*sigh*

you should be able to get a thicker o-ring that is compatible with your pump from specialtech. shame they didn't give you the correct o-ring with your pump

 

[SparkleDJackson]

I removed the one from inside the original pump. Did yours not even have that.???

 

[wrenaudrey]

No @sparkleDJackson, it was just the pump that came in the box.

Anyway, ive sent a support ticket at specialtech regarding the oring but ive changed my mind and im now wanting to return it.
I went down to OCUK today and picked up a XSPC D5 top and that had no problems hence why i now want to return the alphacool one.

Thanks all for your help