TFC Water Cooling Radiator problems

[AD-15]

hello,

I recently purchased a TFC radiator (360 size) for my water cooling set up. However, I'm having some issues with it.

Looking into the inside of the chambers, there is a large amount of 'gunk'. Mostly black. There is also something that looks almost like pink dye on the brass.

I figured this was probably normal for a radiator (I've heard all kinds of stories), so I followed advice and used hot and then boiled water to try and flush the stuff out. However, neither worked. No matter how long I left it to soak, or how many times I would shake it. In the end, I purchased some distilled malt vinegar, and left filled the radiator with it. I left it to soak for 10 minutes. I then emptied it (later flushing it with hot water), however, all that came out was water with a blue-ish tinge. No 'gunk'. More worrying however, is the fact that copper acetate is blue. Does that mean the vinegar has corroded the copper from inside the radiator?

If the radiator isn't damaged, is it OK to use in a loop, considering I haven't been able to get rid of the gunk?

Thanks!

[GoNz0]

if its full of gunk return it and buy a decent rad, i say decent as i hate websites that shove audio in your face at 9am on a sunday morning when you forgot to turn the volume down the night before ARGHHH

anyway, you have removed a bit of copper but thats ok as theres still plenty more, it looks like you have a high build up of flux in there and personally i wouldnt trust a product with that.

why would you want to use something full of gunk, its going to prevent the rad doing its job and work its way round your system.

[NoPrisoners]

hello,

I recently purchased a TFC radiator (360 size) for my water cooling set up. However, I'm having some issues with it.

Looking into the inside of the chambers, there is a large amount of 'gunk'. Mostly black. There is also something that looks almost like pink dye on the brass.

I figured this was probably normal for a radiator (I've heard all kinds of stories), so I followed advice and used hot and then boiled water to try and flush the stuff out. However, neither worked. No matter how long I left it to soak, or how many times I would shake it. In the end, I purchased some distilled malt vinegar, and left filled the radiator with it. I left it to soak for 10 minutes. I then emptied it (later flushing it with hot water), however, all that came out was water with a blue-ish tinge. No 'gunk'. More worrying however, is the fact that copper acetate is blue. Does that mean the vinegar has corroded the copper from inside the radiator?

If the radiator isn't damaged, is it OK to use in a loop, considering I haven't been able to get rid of the gunk?

Thanks!

From experience with Thermochill radiators that they still have flux in them which needs cleaning out with vinegar and boiling water. You shouldn't have damaged the rad leaving it for just 10 mins. I left mine for 30 mins to soak and it removed the flux.

You could try using some solvent, like meths, it won't react with the copper, but it mite be able to remove the gunk.

It would be best to remove the gunk before using the rad in your water loop.

[AD-15]

hello,

Thanks for your advice guys.

I ended up RMA'ing it, and just bought another. The new one is much cleaner. I just mixed some vinegar with boiling water, flushed the radiator, and then flushed the rad repeatedly (about 6 times?) with hot.boiling water. I'm just about to flush it with distilled and then hook it up, but I've noticed something on the bottom of the rad.

It turns out it's a bleed valve (it's basically a spring/screw assembly). Any ideas on what I'm supposed to do with it?

[GoNz0]

the bleed valve needs to be the highest point on the rad, but below the res, if its not below the res you can hook up a pipe to the res to blow air in to bleed the rad.

[AD-15]

Thanks for the quick reply!!!

Don't the inlet/outlet normally go on top though? So that the bubbles rise and leave through the tubing?

Is there any way I can have the radiator mounted this way, as I've already cut the tubing having made this assumption.

[GoNz0]

if the ports are at the top you are correct, mine are at the bottom and i need the bleed valve

[AD-15]

Ah, excellent. Had me worried.

Thanks for your help mate!