Does Tygon tubing become disformed at the connectors over time, causing leaks?

I ask simply because a few months ago, I noticed I had a rather serious leaking problem at two of my barbs, but couldn't quite determine the source. I was really busy at the time, so I just disassembled my whole loop, and went back to stock air cooling for a while. Anyway, now I'm getting my WC loop setup again, and I'm wondering if my tubing could have been the culprit.

I don't think it was the barbs on the blocks, as water was escaping from the barbs on both my Storm G4 and Silverprop Fusion HL, so I assume that the problem was in the connection. Did I just have a bad seal, or is it possible that my tubing became mishaped and lead to leaks? I have 1/2" ID 3/4" OD Tygon R3603, so I would think it would keep a good shape, but is it possible that my tubing did become warped after about 6 months of use, causing leaks? I ask because I am ordering various other new components and such today, and I would like to know if I should order more tubing, or just stick with what I have.

I'm going to try to leak-test it a little later when I get the time, but before I can, anyone have any guesses what the cause could have been? Thanks!

Did you use any kinds of clamps? Most tubing will make a very good seal, sometimes so well that you don't need clamps however as a safety precaution, you should always use them.

The only tubing I've had experience with warping, and stuff like that, was the cheap $3 roll of 10' home depot stuff.

Achilles17 said:

Tygon R3603, so I would think it would keep a good shape, but is it possible that my tubing did become warped after about 6 months of use, causing leaks?

Click to expand...

No.

Yeah, I used worm clamps on all my barbs. I still don't know what caused the leaks, but I guess I'll find out when I get around to leak-testing again. I wouldn't think it would be the tubing either, but I just couldn't imagine what else it could be.

I've noticed that, depending on the amount of pressure generated by worm clamps, 3603 will compress to a fraction of its normal thickness. This is especially apparent over barb rings. I've yet to see a clamp actually scissor through entirely though, but I'd imagine that it's possible though.

^I would suspect that would happen with a worm drive clamp if the hose got moved around for quite some time, eventually tearing the tubing, but doubtfull.

I imagine all tubing will both stretch as well as thin out where the clamp is over time. I know when I used cheapo vinyl tubing from Home Depot when I first setup mine, after 3 months I did have a leaking problem, due to the barbs stretching the tubing out. The barbs pretty much stretched the tubing from 1/2ID, to around 5/8ID.

Something to consider I guess.

hmm...maybe I'll order another 3 feet of tubing or so, just to be safe. I did notice something a while ago where if I put too much pressure on the barb with the worm clamp, it sometimes caused more leaks than if I left it off completely. Not big leaks, but a drop every once in a while. Maybe that's why.