Cleaning my loop?

[SuperDave1685]

Hey there guys. I'm thinking it about time I cleaned my loops. I built it back in August of 2007. I think I drained it sometime in January of 2008 to adjust the tubing, but that's the last time the system's been drained. I've noticed some buildup of dust on the underside of my radiator as well (from pulling air through obviously). I guess the simple solution to that would be to put some sort of filter on my intake fans, eh? Panyhose or some kind of foam filter I reckon would do the trick. I use just straight distilled water with a touch of antifreeze (about a 85-90% H20 and the rest antifreeze). I haven't noticed any temperature performance problems or really. I just figured its about time I drain my loop and clean the block, radiator, and the dust buildup. I'm just not sure how. I can take the radiator out because its bolted to my case :) And ideas on how to flush it and clean my tubing and block? Thanks guys!

-Dave

p.s. - My loop's specs are in my sig

[DarkFury]

theres wire tube brushes that i used to clean my salt water tank. i just boil the brush before i use it in my CPU loop.

some people use solvents but im too scared lol

[CGR]

1. Replace all the tubing with new tubing
2. Take block apart and clean inside with distilledwater/vinegar combo.
3. Use air can to clean dust out of Radiator

[SuperDave1685]

Thanks CGR. If I use a wire brush to clean the inside of the block, will I damage it? I'm kinda of afraid of taking it apart because I doon't know if I'll be able to put it back together correctly lol. The only thing about an air can is that the red straw is never long enough. I always have to tilt the can and it ends up blowing out a little liquid, which just traps the dust to the radiator. I'm thinking about getting an air tank and getting an attachment to blow air through the radiator. Is there some sort of cleaner to flush through the radiator to clean its insides?

[CGR]

Thanks CGR. If I use a wire brush to clean the inside of the block, will I damage it? I'm kinda of afraid of taking it apart because I doon't know if I'll be able to put it back together correctly lol. The only thing about an air can is that the red straw is never long enough. I always have to tilt the can and it ends up blowing out a little liquid, which just traps the dust to the radiator. I'm thinking about getting an air tank and getting an attachment to blow air through the radiator. Is there some sort of cleaner to flush through the radiator to clean its insides?

I wouldnt use a wire brush. In the past I have used a toothbrush on the insides of the block. If you dont want to take it apart, then let the block soak in the distilled/vinegar combo for a bit then just do a few flushes. i.e take it out dump it, fill it dump it etc etc.

Shake it a bit when its full as well.

You can do the same with the rad, assuming you take it out. Just soak it in the same solution and dump it out then fill then dump. Do a couple shakeups too.

Edit: Dont use too much vinegar, just a 10% solution. Also make sure once its clean that you flush it with only distilled water.

[SuperDave1685]

thanks CGR :) I will do that once i get back to NC. I'm here in 29 Palms, CA doing dome some pre-deployment training. I don't think I'll take the radiator out, cause it'll be a HUGE pita putting it back in place. Would you recommend running a distilled water/vinegar solution through the loop several times to help clean it?

[Conumdrum]

Clean your rad, you say you can't remove it? Best to set up a loop and run something through it for a long time. Are the barbs at the top or bottom of the rad? If at the top I'd only use distilled water since you can't drain it properly. I'd really take the time to unbolt the rad and fill with very hot water and shake it, rinse repeat till the water looksclear and no chunks etc when poured in a glass bowl.

rad exterior: Wash it with hot water and compressed air, the teeny can isn't enough. need to get it gently blow/washed to get all the gunk between the fins. Maybe a tiny brush, I dunno. Dry it really really well, even dry it with warm air for 30 min with a hair dryer.

Blocks and pumps. After this amount of time I highly suggest you open the pump and blocks up, clean gently with a toothbrush. If any discoloration in the blocks (not corrosion) soak it for 30 min or so in ketchup... yes ketchup and scrub gently.

Tubing, I'd almost think of replacing it, if not, run a rag on a coat hanger therough it with soap and rinse well.

Your barbs will have some buildup too, do those too.

If your gonna do it, do it all the way.

[SuperDave1685]

I imagine you recommend ketchup because it had vinegar in it as well. I'm not too sure of myself taking the pump apart. I'm not sure I'd be able to put it back together properly. Is there a diagram on the MCP D5 pump's parts?

[Conumdrum]

You unscrew the big round part, gently pull out the ball thingy, it's magnetized to the motor. Thats it. And yes, there is tons of documentation and discussions/pics of the inside of the pump on the net. Seen it here more than once.

It's a Laing pump, try their website.

[DarkFury]

its not actually WIRE bristles is more of a semi hard plastic bristles like a toothbrush lol sorry for the confusion

[Big Mike]

Yeah the pump is crazy easy, just don't lose or damage the O ring, there's only about 4 parts to the whole thing.

[CGR]

I imagine you recommend ketchup because it had vinegar in it as well. I'm not too sure of myself taking the pump apart. I'm not sure I'd be able to put it back together properly. Is there a diagram on the MCP D5 pump's parts?

The only time to use ketchup is if you have stains on a copper block and want to get rid of them. Otherwise, they dont do any harm to performance.

If your current fluid is clear and doesnt have any debris in it, then your pump should be fine.

[jr1]

i too would recomend to do it all the way and do a rinse on the whole system like conumdrum said
for barbs and inlet/outlet of the pump you can use those toothbrushes that looks kind of like a toothpick