Koolance 370 maitenence (Deton needed)

[Kung Pow]

So I opened up my 370 today for a little cleaning, and was really surprised how almost "rusty" it already looked.
I have been running my loop with distilled water and silver coil, and no aluminum, still it seems the block´s internals have corroted quite a bit.

I am not sure if it is really corrosion or just residual dirt and pollution from other parts, but it looks damn ugly.

Now I would really appreciate if you guys could help me identify this and present the best option to get rid of it in order to clean the block.

I have already been scrubbing the fins hard with dish soap/water and a toothbrush, but only gained small results.
Is it necessary to be careful when scrubbing the fins, due to sensitiveness?

[realneil]

You need to protect the rubber gasket parts first and foremost. Those should be gently cleaned.

I would clean the fins with Peal Drops toothpaste (sounds crazy doesn't it?) and a medium toothbrush. We used this toothpaste and toothbrushes to clean some special parts on the Space Shuttle program.
It worked beautifully too. It doesn't have enough abrasion to destroy the fins, but enough to clean the parts. Look at it closely after cleaning.
If the fins are degraded then it was rust and you need to find a solution for it.
If they're OK, you need to find something to keep the water clearer to avoid this problem, and you need to find ~what is~ degrading enough to spread that gunk throughout your loop.

Note that the picture on the right is showing particulate contamination in the fins. You need to address this too.

[Juggalo23451]

1. take off gaskets
2. get lemon juice in a containinger it no ketchup will work.
3. soak in lemon juice for 3-4hrs
4. take out parts use a tooth brush to clean the blocks
5. Use distilled water to rinse your block.
6. replace gaket if needed,if not assemble the block together.

If you have aluminum in your loop with that(cpu block) you can get galvanic corrosion. If not it is oxidation which is normal


Not the best video I made but I hope this helps. video editor was giving me problems

[Kung Pow]

First of all thank you guys very much!

Juggalo, lol you are famous^^ know you from youtube always talking about your phiance

After watching that video I am not concerned about damaging the fins by too harsh scrubbing anymore

I read both of your advices a little too late, but my methods came pretty close.
At first I started working the fins and block interior with a vinegar/water mix and a toothbrush.
After that I used Q-tips for the round inner indentations.
And lastly I pressed out lemons over both the fins and block and started scrubbing with the toothbrush.

The results show only a very marginal improvement, though
It really is corrosion yes, because I just cannot seem to get it off.
The copper is showing more and more.

Here are the results:

Before:


After:



With the fins it becomes quite visible, when observing the rather darker regions that corrosion has taken place.
With the block only when directly in the light, the different discolorations become perfectly visible, but they are there and it most definitely is corrosion too.

Is there anything I can do to fully remove it?
I do not have any aluminum in my loop, which is why I never chose to use anti-corrosive fluids, I guess I will have to add them now to prevent further damage?

Most importantly though, will this condition my block and fins are in now, affect the cooling performance?Attachment 2222

[Juggalo23451]

using lemon juice will help to clean it up up better. just let it soak for a few hrs

[Kung Pow]

I didn´t have pure lemon juice like you, but I pressed some out
The little lemon junks can be washed off I think, but I will let´em soak now.

But answer my question, will the block lose thermal performance due to these events?

[Juggalo23451]

I didn´t have pure lemon juice like you, but I pressed some out
The little lemon junks can be washed off I think, but I will let´em soak now.

But answer my question, will the block lose thermal performance due to these events?

with my block i dont think so. with yours I not sure. it looks like oxidation. you can use ketchup to if you dont have anu lemon juice

[Kung Pow]

The only thing that happened, was for the Nickle to flake and therefor for the Copper to surface, which should actually be a positive thing regarding cooling performance lol?

[Juggalo23451]

The only thing that happened, was for the Nickle to flake and therefor for the Copper to surface, which should actually be a positive thing regarding cooling performance lol?

if the nickel is flaking off you need to contact the manufacture

[Kung Pow]

Here are pictures of Skinee Lab´s review on the Koolance 370.
http://skinneelabs.com/cpu-370-review/2/

With his, the fins are nickle plated but also the block interior looks rather shiny.
Compared to my block, I think my fines don´t have any nickle plating on anymore and the block interior looks weird also, not just corroded.

I am no pro, what do you think, judging by my pictures compared to Skinne´s ?

[Juggalo23451]

Here are pictures of Skinee Lab´s review on the Koolance 370.
http://skinneelabs.com/cpu-370-review/2/

With his, the fins are nickle plated but also the block interior looks rather shiny.
Compared to my block, I think my fines don´t have any nickle plating on anymore and the block interior looks weird also, not just corroded.
I am no pro, what do you think, judging by my pictures compared to Skinne´s ?

i would call the manufacture.

[Kung Pow]

i would call the manufacture.

I have already RMA´ed the Koolance once, and this is the replacement lol.

Just stick with me for a second.

Nickle flaking is a RMA reason, that we agree on.
But does that only indicate for the block´s interior to flake, or also the fin´s nickle plating?
Because it seems to me the manufacturer would say, that nickle flaking of the fins would only be a minor problem.

One thing I can say for sure though:

By a comparison of the fins, I can clearly say that on Skinnee´s there is a full nickle plating, mine is completely off though.
With the block interiors compared, I am not so sure though.
Skinnes :

Mine:



Do you think fin nickle flaking will be enough to successfully RMA?

[Juggalo23451]

I have already RMA´ed the Koolance once, and this is the replacement lol.

Just stick with me for a second.

Nickle flaking is a RMA reason, that we agree on.
But does that only indicate for the block´s interior to flake, or also the fin´s nickle plating?
Because it seems to me the manufacturer would say, that nickle flaking of the fins would only be a minor problem.

One thing I can say for sure though:

By a comparison of the fins, I can clearly say that on Skinnee´s there is a full nickle plating, mine is completely off though.
With the block interiors compared, I am not so sure though.
Skinnes :Attachment 2227

Mine: Attachment 2228



Do you think fin nickle flaking will be enough to successfully RMA?

yes.

[realneil]

The only thing that happened, was for the Nickle to flake and therefor for the Copper to surface, which should actually be a positive thing regarding cooling performance lol?

Think. If the nickel is flaking off, where is it all going? Is it being ground up in the pump? Caught in the water channels and beginning to block the radiators? Maybe you should flush the system out?
This is all suspect as I see it.

[Kung Pow]

I will just hope that nickle flaking from the fins will be enough to successfully RMA.
I am going to send it in tomorrow.

Since I am gonna upgrade my loop anyway, by a Lightning 580 cooler, compression fittings, white tubing, D5 Top, second 480 rad etc etc ...I will have plenty of time to flush the rad.

Is there a special way or order I need to follow when flushing/handling watercooling parts which have been stuffed by flaked nickle?

[Irocing]

I will just hope that nickle flaking from the fins will be enough to successfully RMA.
I am going to send it in tomorrow.

Since I am gonna upgrade my loop anyway, by a Lightning 580 cooler, compression fittings, white tubing, D5 Top, second 480 rad etc etc ...I will have plenty of time to flush the rad.

Is there a special way or order I need to follow when flushing/handling watercooling parts which have been stuffed by flaked nickle?

As to the blocks, pump, Just take them apart and clean.

As to the Rads just alot of water flushing as things like I use to clean them, Such as vinegar, Will have no affect.


Might even use an in line filter for awhile if worried pieces could get caught in the impellers.
Later