Custom loop-Res question. plz help

lafleurrussel

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Feb 2, 2015
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I have put together a custom loop the other day and the water level in the res keeps dropping about 3-4mm i fill it up and wait about an hour and its back down to the same level. The thing is its not leaking anywhere and the water level never drops below this point. What do you all think the problem is.
 
Solution
OK. It's sounding like it may be air pockets since your not seeing water anywhere that it shouldn't be. When I fill my system, I keep adding the water until it makes it back to the res with a good bit of water in it. Next, I run just the pump using my spare PSU while simultaneously I tilt my entire case back and forth, side to side pretty far. By doing this, you can hear water sloshing around in my radiators back and forth meaning air's inside the system. I would do this quite a few times while monitoring coolant level, checking for leaks, and listening to pump as you can when it's pulling in air + water vs just water as it sounds different. After awhile, the sloshing sound would be gone. I'd also have to add more water after...
How long in total has the system been powered up & running? It's not going to evaporate at a rate like that. How many times have you added coolant to your reservoir since you noticed the level drop? The only two possible causes are a leak, which you mentioned that you don't seem to have, or air pocket(s) somewhere that have to work themselves out. How did you work on purging the air out of the system when leak testing/filling your cooling loop? When I drain/refill my system, which is usually about every 6 months or so, my water level will drop a small amount(maybe a 1/2" at most) over a few days use due to air introduced back into the system for filling, so I may top off ONCE, but that's it. My level stays the same after that, and I monitor it out of habit to play it safe.
 

lafleurrussel

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Feb 2, 2015
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i leak tested friday night and its been up and running for about a total of 12 hours so far i didnt do anything to bleed the air besides tap the sides of rad res and water blocks...like i said i checked all my fittings and hoses and no sign of water anywhere and it wont drop below the 3mm that i mentione...i also took note that when i unscrew the cap to top it off it releases air pressure you can hear it.
 

lafleurrussel

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Feb 2, 2015
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4,510


sorry i also forgot to answer your question i added about 4ml two seperate times which is less than a tsp
 

lafleurrussel

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Feb 2, 2015
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4,510


it only drops after i top it off and only drops 4mm every time and doesnt drop any further
 
OK. It's sounding like it may be air pockets since your not seeing water anywhere that it shouldn't be. When I fill my system, I keep adding the water until it makes it back to the res with a good bit of water in it. Next, I run just the pump using my spare PSU while simultaneously I tilt my entire case back and forth, side to side pretty far. By doing this, you can hear water sloshing around in my radiators back and forth meaning air's inside the system. I would do this quite a few times while monitoring coolant level, checking for leaks, and listening to pump as you can when it's pulling in air + water vs just water as it sounds different. After awhile, the sloshing sound would be gone. I'd also have to add more water after awhile. Once my PC is up and running again, like I mentioned earlier, I might have to add a small amount of water after a few days, but that should be it until drain/refill time comes around again.
 
Solution