Clogged radiator?

[MrBlah]

So, apparently my computer has gone out of commission temporarily. The radiator for my liquid cooling system has become clogged? With what, I do not know. Whatever particulate was dissolved in the water as it was dropped out of solution during the cooling process, causing this clog, basic chemistry on that one.

Without the access to a hose at the current time(I live in an apartment) does anyone have any suggestions to getting pressurized water through it? The pump that normally runs the system obviously isnt strong enough to do anything about it.

[MrBlah]

However, I can still run my computer with out the use of my radiator as long as I am not doing any processor intensive actions, meaning no gaming.


So, until then!

[Fraulein Arztin]

I always watched my dad set up cooling system in his computer, and I wasn't even sure how much it cost.
He always picked orange-colored tubing and light pink distilled water. I always thought those set ups were funky and cool.

The only thing I can recommend, right now, for declogging is canned air. Perhaps that's strong enough?

[MrBlah]

BTW Frau, it's not light pink distilled water. It's distilled water and likely an additive that is used to kill algae.

Canned air might sound like a good idea because the velocity of the air is fast, but it cannot provide a high enough pressure or ability to carry an object.

I blew through my tubing and was able to get air to pass through it, but when I put liquid between my blowing end and the radiator, I couldn't get it to pass. I might go get some HCL and run that through it, or maybe vinegar.

[Rigges]

Vinegar would work good it tends to dissolve minerals that have solidified from water.

I have used Vinegar in my Tea Kettle it works better and faster than Lime Away and CLR and it should not hurt the metal of your cooler.

Then I would suggest using a coolant that is for Liquid cooling rather than Water or distilled water Ummm you were just asking for trouble using water.




-==-=

[Bash-man]

Blah,

I used to work in an automotive radiator shop, and we used to pull the radiators apart and "Rod" them out. Driving close fitting rods through the water passages. That's the ONLY way to really clean one out. Additives and junk might make a little difference, but in the end, if you don't completely clean every tube out, you're going to have less and less time between problems.

Not knowing the heat exchanger in question, I doubt you can take it apart and perform a "Rod out", but if you can, that's the thing to do.

I've never had a problem with a good air cooler, and the maintenance is dumber than a bag of hammers simple. Dust it off every once in a while.

Worse come to worse, you might have to replace the radiator, but if you have junk in your radiator, how do you know you don't have junk in your heat blocks? Maybe the flow rate through them is enough to drive the junk into the radiator. Who knows.

Good luck.

[TheCarpe]

I never understood the appeal of running WATER through an ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when air cooling works just fine...

[Masakari]

[quote="TheCarpe";p="237822"]
I never understood the appeal of running WATER through an ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when air cooling works just fine...
[/quote]Overclocking, lower thermals, a quieter system, and aesthetic reasons are the obvious answers.

It really isn't as deadly as people make it out to be. Very rarely do water cooling systems go haywire.

[TheCarpe]

Overclocking.

Meh, I never mess with that stuff.

lower thermals

I state again, air cooling works just fine.

a quieter system.

Marginally, I guess. I barely hear my system and it's right behind my monitor.

aesthetic reasons

I think the same of computers and cars. They are there to serve a function, not to sink money into to look pretty

I know, all simply opinions, I just never saw the value and still don't. *shrug*

[MrBlah]

Whether I use tap water, ethylene or propylene glycol, distilled water, whatever, it doesn't matter. There is nothing that is purely non-conductive of electricity other than liquids 3m makes that cost a lot of money.

Honestly, I don't care much how it looks. I run an over-clocked machine so it benefits. As well, it is quieter.

[quote="Bash-man";p="237821"]
but if you have junk in your radiator, how do you know you don't have junk in your heat blocks? Maybe the flow rate through them is enough to drive the junk into the radiator. Who knows.
[/quote]

I know I dont have anything in the block because I can visually inspect the inside of the block, its clean. Also, flow rate means nothing. Its all about head pressure. My pump doesn't produce enough pressure to push everything out of the radiator.



Also, Rigges, I was planning on using vinegar. Haven't gotten around to it yet, but as I looked into it more last night, it looks like the best idea.



Oh, and also Carpe, I like my cars to look pretty and sound good. My car is not just a mode of transportation, it keeps me sane on more than just 1 level. Just like I like my computer to make something look pretty and sound good.

[TheCarpe]

[quote="MrBlah";p="237845"]Oh, and also Carpe, I like my cars to look pretty and sound good. My car is not just a mode of transportation, it keeps me sane on more than just 1 level. Just like I like my computer to make something look pretty and sound good. [/quote]

I still don't see the appeal. A car *is* a mode of transportation. That is the sole purpose it exists. You can sink hundreds and thousands of dollars into it, but it's all down the drain if someone misses a stop sign

[Cpt._Keyes]

[quote="TheCarpe";p="237822"]I never understood the appeal of running WATER through an ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when air cooling works just fine...[/quote] because water is just a name now...granted there are people who use distilled water (which btw doesnt conduct electricity in and of itself) but most of it is non conductive fluid...its very good for focused cooling...and works better than air cooling...

and everyone purchases for aesthetics and whatnot...even if you claim something is for function...there is a reason you got it the way it looks...otherwise...why dont you just have a circuit board sitting out (ill even grant you protected in a box)


also

Overclocking.

Meh, I never mess with that stuff. This will apply later

lower thermals

I state again, air cooling works just fine. because you dont (see above)

a quieter system.

Marginally, I guess. I barely hear my system and it's right behind my monitor. because you dont have the mass of fans required to cool the above



This i guess keeps my views true however...most people only know what they experience...and are unable to see that which is beyond their limited scope of the world

You cant say something is useless and not worth it...because you either refuse to acknowledge...or don't know about its uses...


you opinion is allowed to be had...but is nullified when applied to something non-applicable...you don't do the things that require liquid cooling...ergo liquid cooling is useless...only applies to you...not blah

[TheCarpe]

Let's play a game. This game is called "Find the place where I used the word 'useless' in relation to liquid cooling"



I never said that. I simply said I don't see the value. He's entitled to his opinion and can build his computer however he likes. As can I

[MrBlah]

A big part of why I use liquid cooling or why I prefer a vehicle that goes fast and sounds good is because it is just more fun.

It's kind of like saying video games aren't fun for anyone just because you don't think they are fun, ergo, they are useless.

I find enjoyment in dealing with my computer and making my car look good. It's all because it makes me happy Kind of like eating potatoes.

[TheCarpe]

[quote="MrBlah";p="237864"]A big part of why I use liquid cooling or why I prefer a vehicle that goes fast and sounds good is because it is just more fun.

It's kind of like saying video games aren't fun for anyone just because you don't think they are fun, ergo, they are useless.

I find enjoyment in dealing with my computer and making my car look good. It's all because it makes me happy Kind of like eating potatoes. [/quote]

We all know potatoes are a whole other level of happiness for you