Foam...bubbles...how do I get rid of them?

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

Sorry for one of the most commonly asked questions...though I've seemed to developed some sort of bubble or foam in my loop and it isn't going away. Is it normal for foam to build up in your res? It seems that the pump pushes the foam straight through the res into the outlet then through my loop, wasn't like that when I started to leak test last night. What could cause this? To much antifreeze? to little? I have a rough estimate of 90% water, 10% antifreeze and a few drops of algecide. thanks for your replies.

Epox4life · Apr 4, 2006

I noticed the same thing in my system it happened overnight to. I just built it like 2 days ago... theres some type of build up, but I dont have any big particles going through, also my UV coolant lost its color! I hope someone knows why.

striker85 · Apr 4, 2006

The algaecide may have a little foaming properties to it. When I was bleeding my system last night(9/1 water/antifreeze) I had some crazy foaming for a little bit, but I just kept bleeding it and it eventually worked itself out. Make sure that all air pockets are out of your radiator and such and then just let it run. If it continues, maybe flush the system and try it without the algaecide.

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

Actually, I started leak testing and filling at about 1AM this morning. I just woke up this morning and noticed the foaming. So I decided to go grab the algecide and added a few drops thinking that is what caused it. So...not sure. Would UV Dye cause this? The foaming is pretty bad, I've tried leaving the cap off my res so it can get the air out, put it on, put it upside down, left, right, still no avail

striker85 · Apr 4, 2006

If you turn the loop off, does the foam in the reservoir die down or does is stay for a while?

If it doesn't go away, then it is something in the liquid. If it does go away, then something in your loop is causing enough cavitation that it is creating some serious foam. My guess would be your pump or radiator.

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

Well, the loop was crystal clear for the few hours I watched it, no bubbles or anything, you'd hear a few occasional noises in the rad but thats the air bubbles getting out if I'm correct. The foam doesnt die down and there is massive ammounts floating in my tubing if i turn it off. I decided to go ahead and drain it and try again. Just 90/10 this time. Would it be smart to 'rinse' the tubing out? As in let fresh water run through it for a few, drain that then put the good stuff back in?

striker85 · Apr 4, 2006

Yeah, running some tap water through and then refilling with your distilled water/antifreeze mixture would be a good idea. You may want to shake the radiator around while you bleed it so that you get the air out as fast as possible. I didn't do that and I came home yesterday to find the water flow stopped(but thankfully my computer didn't melt down). The culprit must be the algaecide I believe. Just do what you said and see what happens, if no foam then steer clear of algaecide. I heard that a few drops of iodine will do the same job as algaecide and it has no foaming properties.

-aDaM^ · Apr 4, 2006

Same thing happened to me this is what my problem was, Air was getting into the loop through the pump and making LOTS on little bubbles. It can also happen when a bubble goes into the pump, comes out like froth.

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

I ran tap through it for a few and refilled with 90/10 mix but there is still foam...but, it is not as bad.

Edit: I mixed some of the distilled water in with the anti-freeze and shook it up for a second, it causes foam...but it seems to break down sorta...is that a problem or normal?

White Runner · Apr 4, 2006

Exactly what additives are you adding to distilled water? I've used water wetter, couple different uv dyes, various antifreeze and never had such a problem with foam... though the water is cloudy from many many little bubbles, they disperse after a couple hours.... Maybe take some pics to illustrate the foam..

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

My setup is:

MCP655 > Res > BIP II > Apogee > MAZE4 > MCP655

I'm noticing that the inlet to the MAZE4 is clear but the outlet has a swirl of water...the noticable stuff. You will see in the pictures below.

http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam1.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam2.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam3.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam4.jpg

The coolants I used

http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/antifreeze.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/algecide.jpg

I found a tiny leak on the outlet of my BIP II...fixing.

White Runner · Apr 4, 2006

Ok, that is much more foam than what I was refering to... It looks like some cleaner or solvent was in the line somewhere, maybe dry, and when you filled it up, instants suds... I'd drain it, rinse it with some alcohol and water and refill it... imo.

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

White Runner said:
Ok, that is much more foam than what I was refering to... It looks like some cleaner or solvent was in the line somewhere, maybe dry, and when you filled it up, instants suds... I'd drain it, rinse it with some alcohol and water and refill it... imo.

Doing now.

-aDaM^ · Apr 4, 2006

ziggo0 said:
My setup is:

MCP655 > Res > BIP II > Apogee > MAZE4 > MCP655

I'm noticing that the inlet to the MAZE4 is clear but the outlet has a swirl of water...the noticable stuff. You will see in the pictures below.

http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam1.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam2.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam3.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/foam4.jpg

The coolants I used

http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/antifreeze.jpg
http://www.distantnetwork.net/images/computer/andromeda/wc/algecide.jpg

I found a tiny leak on the outlet of my BIP II...fixing.

when you refill it make sure your RAD is at the bottom of the loop

wow it looks like a freakin bubble bath right now LOL :bang head

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

-aDaM^ said:
when you refill it make sure your RAD is at the bottom of the loop

wow it looks like a freakin bubble bath right now LOL

LOL, that's the first thing I said dude hahahha, just cleaned out the res and everything else, going to fix the one leak, remount the maze4 and give it another go

-aDaM^ · Apr 4, 2006

ziggo0 said:
LOL, that's the first thing I said dude hahahha, just cleaned out the res and everything else, going to fix the one leak, remount the maze4 and give it another go

DUDE I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.........

This exact same happened to me like 2 builds ago, There wasnt enough water in the RES and it would suck in air with the WATER. Make sure you got lots of liquid in there. LOL I just remember I HOPE this helped.

Make sure the INLET part inside the RES in fully submerged, Tilting your RES while filling helps aLOT.

yokomo_ · Apr 4, 2006

mine WAS very foamy liek yours but it just went away !try just leaving it for a few hours , res open if you can to let the gas escape.

ziggo0 · Apr 4, 2006

YAY!@ After all that cleaning, remounting etc...I think I fixed it! There is still 'foam' or 'bubbles' but as soon as i turn the pump off they disolve...I think I added way to much anti-freeze, I tried mixing barely any, just a splash, and it is working perfect. Also, that stream of bubbles from the MAZE4 to the MCP655 is getting increasly smaller! Thank you guys for all your help, I appricate the headache you took from me !

White Runner · Apr 4, 2006

Not a problem; just give me 2 tylenol and we'll call it even

-aDaM^ · Apr 4, 2006

White Runner said:
Not a problem; just give me 2 tylenol and we'll call it even

ahahaha word

Foam...bubbles...how do I get rid of them?

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