Must read info on Swiftech MCP600 pumps
 

I want to make sure everyone is aware of an issue that has cropped up recently where some MCP600 pumps are dying after a few weeks of use. I have seen a quote directly from Bill Adams at Swiftech on this issue:

“The problem affecting 2-3% of the pumps has been identified as a failure of the thrust bearing (a Ryton washer) between the impeller and the front shaft support hub (the pump motors are fine)
- the hub is being redesigned to utilize a ceramic bearing face

In the meantime, failed pumps are being replaced with a new pump head assembly having a slightly reduced diameter impeller
- this reduces the deadhead pressure capability ~0.5m, the actual effect on the CPU temp will not be noticeable in most systems.

when the revised pump heads are available they will be provided to all who wish them w/o charge of course.”

from here


So at this moment performance of the MCP600 may be slightly less than the pump that I have been testing. If so, though, you will be able to eventually get a new pump head from Swiftech at no charge that will return your pump to its rated performance.

I still am recommending this pump (and in fact I am running the MCP600 in my main PC), but I recommend that you ask retailers whether the pump is the original version, the temporary fix version, or the redesigned ceramic bearing face version. You want one of the latter two.

I can't fault Swiftech for the way they've handled this issue though. Bill actually even did a tolerable job of customer service (someone check the thermostat in Hades, please).

unfortunately there is no way that a retailer can identify the original pumps from those with the 'temporary fix' as the pump heads look quite the same

all pumps shipped from Nov. 10 have the cut down impeller, and this will continue for some time
these pumps will not fail

for any RMAed pumps we are mailing a replacement pump head, no need to return the motor (zero failures)

the conversion of the thrust bearing to ceramic is rather involved and because of the tooling will not occur for some weeks
- when these pump heads are available they will be sent to all purchasers who wish them

on a positive note, the changes implemented a month ago to reduce the motor noise have been VERY effective, the pump now compares quite well to an Eheim 1048, and better than a 1250

please pHaestus, we always do well at customer service
but not at kissing butt when the problem is of the customer's creation
the thread here was nothing, you should see the rabid crowd at hardocp

Craaap I just ordered one of these... but I guess since it's after Nov 10 I should be ok.

Wasn't questioning the quality of Swiftech's customer service. I was referring specifically to your bedside manner :)

I presume you saw the 'title' the mods over there gave me ?
- for meritorious service I presume
kinda like JoeK's here

hi ho

heh I considered changing your title to Swiftech CSR, but I figured that 90% of the time your posts did not represent the official stance of Swiftech, Inc :)

for sure, Gabe is generally quite dismayed
often with good reason
but life is for living, eh ?

Billa,
If I understand correctly ( I get things wrong alot) Swiftech is gonna offer the replacement head to anyone that has an original 600 pump free of charge?

My question is this, do the bad pumps need to be RMAed and sent in for repair or is it something we could get sent to the customer and the customer change himself?

Both my 600's are fine so far but I dont have 10 hours running time on either, just some testing time as the rest of the project parts are supposed to be in next week.
Aardil

yes, replacement heads at no cost (once we have the ones with ceramic thrust bearings)

in the meantime if you have a problem (less than 2%); get an RMA # (after talking with me), and we will send just the pump head
no, you can change out, 4 Phillips head ss screws

Is there going to be any cost hike for the revised pumps when they are released?

we don't know at this time, and would inform our distributors before the public in any case

we look forward to the change as it will greatly enhance the yet to be determined MTBF value,
but it is difficult to 'sell' longevity in a price conscious market
- the MCP600 will remain a 'high end' product

*Bump*

It isnt revised yet?

well, we know some things - but not others
the final re-design is completed, tested, and now shipping (for some time),
and the pump price did go up $5

what we do not yet know is a real shipping schedule for the replacement heads in quantity;
when we have them it will be announced

in the meantime anyone whose MCW600 pump fails should contact us
(562) 595-8009

BillA, spotted this on a vendor's site (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com./pumps.html)
The new revision (rev 2) of the MCP600 is now shipping. The new pumps can be distinguished from the previous by the serial number on the label; the revised series have a serial number beginning with "S".
can you confirm this method works? thanks.

yup
not too enthused about calling it Rev.2 as the specs are exactly the same as initially described,
but the serial # starting with an 'S' will identify those with the new pump heads

yes i thought it was a bit odd too...

cheers

hey i havea mp600 that died and have to admit that swiftech did a awsome job with my rma had a new head with in 3 days and was not questioned at all just for that alone i will will stick with swiftech they are a awsome company to deal with wish all companies were that forthright thanks for all the work u do billa

Can someone help me out I have the MCP600 Early ones and my pump will work fine for 30 mins then die and my temps shoot up.

I CONTACTED SWIFTECH BY EMAIL
AND CONFIMED NEED NEW REPLACEMENT HEAD
THEY SAID NO REPLACEMENT HEAD WITHOUT RECEIPT ALSO.

I bought this pump over 1 year ago and don't have the receipt I supply them with my
pumps serial and they refuse to send out a new replacement..


ANYONE HELP ME !! Get a new head or can I fix it mySELF
Don't plain on shelling out $20 more since it's a deisgn flaw on their part..
If I HAVE to get a new pump IT won't be a swiftech product.

Should have saved the receipt. I bought mine from frozencpu.com and I just had to print out the invoice from their webpage when I had to get a new head for my mcp600. Thats your fault for not saving it. Blaming a company for not RMAing a product that you have no proof of purchase for is pretty f'ing stupid. Name a company or store that will take a product back if you cannot prove that you bought it!

Billa 1 - 0 DJ_MIX

let see... Asus, Abit, Maxtor, Western Digital to name a few.
all of which i have RMA'd to in the past and not once have they asked for a reciept or any proof of purchase...
Sell it to your self and give yourself a reciept...
that is a proof of purchase... Legal.. yes...
moral... probobly not...

Did the pump fail because DJ_MIX lied about how he purchased it or did it fail because of the faulty design? Is it possible for the pump to be past it's two year warranty?

As the legal owner of a swiftech product, DJ_MIX is still a swiftech customer, regardless of buying the pump on the forum. Unless it's swiftech's policy that all second hand swiftech parts should be considered junk and that no one should ever buy one.

Warranty
Our products are guaranteed for 12 months from the date of delivery to the final user against defects in materials or workmanship. During this period, they will be repaired or have parts replaced provided that: (I) the product is returned to the agent from which it was purchased; (II) the product has been purchased by the end user and not used for hire purposes; (III) the product has not been misused, handled carelessly, or other than in accordance with any instructions provided with respect to its use.

dj has no warranty rights as he did not purchase the pump from Swiftech or a distributor,
and I will not reward a 'customer' jerking around with the RMA system

people who buy used parts should expect a used part, no more

None of this has anything to do with why the part failed. The fact that the warranty is not transferable is "BULLSHIT". The fact that alot of companies hide behind this kind of bullshit doesn't make it right. Did the act of buying the pump on the forum cause it to fail? The early version of the pump has a known design flaw and therefore should be repaired regardless of warranty. At least that's what a company that stands behind their products would do.

The reason why I am going all the way out is because it was KNOWN to be a defective head assembly PERIOD.

I gave swiftech the serial # and even was going to ship my bad head to prove that it had a deisgn flaw. If I was my fault for breaking it I would take responsibilty and purchase their replacement head...

I'm not going to even buy another swifttech part ever and WOULD tell others to do the same.

PEOPLE HOLD ON TO YOUR RECEIPT BETTER YET INSIST on A nEW head NOW if you have the earlier MCP600 PUMPS...

Hold on, im sure this is still being discussed at swiftech.
Give them a break.

EDIT: is it on warranty yet?

from what was said it would apear that waranty will not be covered on the item known to be defective because he doesn't have a piece of paper that sais reciept...

WD made me give a copy of a receipt to get an RMA # :( Well sorry I shouldnt have said that no company allows it. Just all the ones that I've dealt with.

the reason why a lot ( :) ) of companies dont take products that were bought from a 3rd party is because there is no guarantee of what the 3rd party did with it. I could run an MCP600 dry and sell it on the forums. Regardless if the buyer has a receipt its not fair to have a manufacturer or retailer pay for something that wasnt used properly.
Sure that may not be the case here. But can you prove it? You cant even prove you bought it. If companies open their doors and waive all warranty restrictions it just invites those "immoral" people.


Yes the rev1. mcp600 had a known problem. Because of that the seller should either of dealt with that before selling it or the buyer should have been smart enough to not buy it.
Someone made a dumb decision, dont think Swifty should have to pay for it.

Oh and lets see, you by a used car and all of us suddenly the manufacturer discovers a flaw in that specific model. All you have to do is bring it back to ANY of thier dealerships and they will replace the part FREE of charge. see here

Government-Initiated Recalls and more importantly After-Warranty Assistance Programs

really its up to swiftech, they know that its a defect with the pump, they know that its not the users fault (dont BS me here about abusive use, its a known problem), Its up to them to decide whether to Honor the RMA or not. If they decide not to and do this to one too many people, word will start going around, and you cant stop that. You should know that better then anyone Bill. I know that you dont have to replace it as per your stated warranty, and that the user might have lied to you, but it doesnt change that you initially sold a defective product.