SolidxSnake said:
I think this is a good way to put what we are talking about. The frequency of water to air is what I was referring more to in that I don't have to mess with anything nearly as often as I did on air, but when you do need to clean everything out, it obviously takes more time.
I however don't mind the occasional taking everything apart and cleaning since I don't have to mess with my system as much in between.
As far as leaktesting goes, ever since I started leaktesting with air I have found it to be SO much simpler (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=478351). For instance, on my current loop, I put the barbs in my res and then attached the tubing, which on one barb takes a sharp turn from the res to the rad. The pressure from the tubing broke the RTV seal. I found out in about 2 seconds once I got some air pressure on the system as I could hear the hissing. I took it apart, resealed it this time with the hose on, and after drying retried it with air pressure with no problems. If I had only leaktested with water, it would have taken me much longer to fix the problem and clean up the leak. Using air is nice also in that I pump everything up to 10psi, and if it holds 10psi overnight, it isn't going to leak. I can't add pressure like that just leaktesting with water. I also don't have to even mess with powering on the pump.
I usually leaktest with air overnight to make sure it holds the pressure, and then add the water and I'm done.
