Leave custom loop uncleaned for long time..

[Kushiro]

Ok, so I recently dissasembled my watercooling loop, however unfortunately my 290x's are really scaring me with the temps so will likely rebuild it this week since it is the only time off I will have in a while (at least enough off to build it).

Anyways I know that you should clean it and all every couple of months, however unfortunately I do not think I will have the time and enthusiasm to do that every couple of months due to employment reasons. I know I could get aftermarket air cooling for the 290x but I just dont want to bother spending another couple hundred $'s when I already have the components for a loop that I paid around $900 for...

So the question is: Can I just leave it for 2 years or so? If so what should I do to help prevent crap from forming in my loop?

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

As long as you flush the loop properly and fully and refill using good fluids in a controlled dust free (as much as possible area) you should be fine for at least a year. I have had my custom loop going for almost 2 years now and its been cooling the old radeon 6990 with all clear components and distilled water with zero blockage. Gpu still idles at ~30c and loads at ~70c. Just to lazy, and it's at my other house lol.

 

[SuB]

Aye mate, as King said, use the right coolant, do it properly the first time you do it and you'll be fine.

I've had purple Feser One in a loop for about 4 years before, never had an issue with it at all.

 

[Kushiro]

I see, thanks for the advice guys. Will probably use the XSPC E6 coolant instead of distilled water with killcoil this time around.

 

[SuB]

I see, thanks for the advice guys. Will probably use the XSPC E6 coolant instead of distilled water with killcoil this time around.

Good choice, i hear good things about that stuff

 

[wrenaudrey]

I see, thanks for the advice guys. Will probably use the XSPC E6 coolant instead of distilled water with killcoil this time around.

I too have recently disassembled my WC loop as waiting for blocks/backplates and fittings for my 2nd 780.

As for the XSPC E6, i previously used the Clear version of it in my WC loop. I dont know if its my own fault or whatever but about 8 months after loop was complete, it started turning yellowish.
That's why i previously had a thread asking about DI or Distilled water for loops, as i hope it doesnt turn yellowish like E6 clear did.

PS. I have about 500ml left over of E6 Clear still in its original container. That's yellow too, i can take a pic if you want.

 

[Kushiro]

wow, thats kinda scary. If it wouldnt be too much trouble please upload a photo, hopefully it was a faulty batch or something, as XSPC has been known to offer some good quality stuff (though I think this specific coolant may be a rebrand of a tt coolant)

 

[Scoob]

I've been using the EK Clear pre-mix for a couple of years. I periodically check PH levels, but they've remained fine. The loop HAS been drained a couple of time (replaced GPU's, general tinkering) but not for over a year now. Checked the PH a couple of days ago and all was fine.

The horror story:

My friend swears by using car anti-freeze premix in his loops. Saying "nothing can live in that" so didn't bother checking his loop EVER. About a year ago I was helping him replace his GPU's so we obviously pulled his loop apart. I was *STUNNED* by the things living in his loop! They'd already evolved opposable thumbs and were basic tool-users lol.

Anyway, while pulling the loop apart we obviously disturbed something and his coolant looked more like a hearty veggie soup than anything...needless to say his blocks were clogged. Only the fact he ran TWO high end pumps kept things from dieing - not that his temps were even remotely sane beforehand.

So, in my experience, use a decent pre-mix made for the job, double check PH levels periodically and you should be fine for a year+ at a time.

Note: be aware though that how much of your coolant is exposed to sunlight via clear tubes, case windows, clear external Res's (like mine) can influence growth apparently. My res and pipe (external cooling) are exposed, but are tucked against a wall so never in direct sunlight.

Cheers,

Scoob.

 

[MrHorgen]

I've been using the EK Clear pre-mix for a couple of years. I periodically check PH levels, but they've remained fine. The loop HAS been drained a couple of time (replaced GPU's, general tinkering) but not for over a year now. Checked the PH a couple of days ago and all was fine.

The horror story:

My friend swears by using car anti-freeze premix in his loops. Saying "nothing can live in that" so didn't bother checking his loop EVER. About a year ago I was helping him replace his GPU's so we obviously pulled his loop apart. I was *STUNNED* by the things living in his loop! They'd already evolved opposable thumbs and were basic tool-users lol.

Anyway, while pulling the loop apart we obviously disturbed something and his coolant looked more like a hearty veggie soup than anything...needless to say his blocks were clogged. Only the fact he ran TWO high end pumps kept things from dieing - not that his temps were even remotely sane beforehand.

So, in my experience, use a decent pre-mix made for the job, double check PH levels periodically and you should be fine for a year+ at a time.

Note: be aware though that how much of your coolant is exposed to sunlight via clear tubes, case windows, clear external Res's (like mine) can influence growth apparently. My res and pipe (external cooling) are exposed, but are tucked against a wall so never in direct sunlight.

Cheers,

Scoob.

How much anti freeze did he use? I am currently using it and I have been told the same. That mixed with distilled or even boiled water and nothing should live in it. Granted you need a 15% or so atleast with anti freeze.

 

[Scoob]

He used the ready-diluted pre-mix available at places like Halfords etc.

When he first started using it I had no reason to think it'd not stop things growing in the loop, however, having pulled the loop apart the amount of stuff growing was just crazy.

Conversely, my loop has been fine for over two years now. Sure, I've taken it apart when upgrading my GPU's, but I re-use the original coolant as it's clean and Ph tests just fine. Nothing growing in my loop at all. He actually said I was daft for using the pre-mix I did.

Note: he didn't pre-flush his loop with de-ionised water either, I did that. Plus, it also allowed me to see the flow through the entire loop easily.

Scoob.

 

[Kei]

TBH, car coolant still requires changing, ideally every two years. It's abilities also depend on the chemistry of it as you have several forms of car antifreeze. Not all types necessarily use ethylene glycol which is highly toxic unlike propylene glycol. My antifreeze based coolant is now over 1 year old and shows no sign of anything untoward though i have added a fair amount of fresh since moving to a bigger case. (yes i reused what was drained out, using filter paper in the funnel)

One big thing to worry about with glycol based coolants is that they are not really compatible with plastics, acrylic in particular. My old xspc reservoir is crazed with a few cracks from the glycol content and that occurred in less than 6 months. Luckily the crazing is just cosmetic. Certainly wouldn't like to run a thin walled acrylic tube res or the solid tubing with glycol based coolant. I'm not sure how it reacts with pom acetal/delrin but from what i could find out, it seems to be significantly tougher.