Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

My cooling loops are comprised of the following parts in a Mountain Mods UFO2 case:

DD TDX, BIX, D4, 1/2-inch Tygon tubing
DD Maze4, BIX, D4, 1/20-inch Tygon tubing

Well, last weekend I heard funny noises coming from one f my D4 pumps, looked down at the temperature display, and noticed that my CPU temp was 6C above what it normally was, so I opened the case. Imagine my horror at finding out that the cooling solution (water/antifreeze) was almost completely gone from the loop. The pump was running, but wasn't pushing any water.

I immediately shut the system down and started pulling out components, but nothing was wet. As I dug deeper, I noticed that the tubing on both the GPU and CPU waterbocks was REALLY loose. When I built the system, I chose the white plastic hose clamps - a decision I now regret.

Since anti-freeze doesn't evaporate, and there was no puddle of fluid under the case, I knew it had to still be in the case somewhere. I found the antifreeze laying in the bottom of the case. It doesn't appear to have caused any problem on the motherboard, but I'm replacing everything anyway (what a great reason to upgrade).

I used pliers to tighten the plastic clamps as far as they would go, and that still wasn't enough. I'm changing to stainless steel metal clamps on all fittings.

I think a flow meter would have alerted me to the problem much sooner (or a pump rotation indicator).

I'm replacing the D4 pump with an AquaExtreme 50Z.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

That's odd. I have an 18month old system using those white plastic clamps and it is fine. No leakages exist.

It has a DD RBX (silver), D4, 1/2" Tygon tubing, DD Maze4 GPU block, homemade reservoir and heatercore. Distilled water and antifreeze.

I do need to vacuum off the rad intake though. Getting dusty.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

I will NEVER use the plastic clamps, they suck ass. If you use metal worm type hose clamps you will never have this problem again, provided you tighten them correctly.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

I prefer spring clamps, because they cannot loosen. McMaster has a good selection.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

Yeah, go with the worm clamps and follow the advice of nikhsub1.
Don't over tighten them if your running any metal mult-barbs, and be sure to
use teflon tape.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

I'm surprised that the system was not affected by the water being spilled on the electronics.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

Not quite sure I understand; you re-clamped it, and it was still loose? Did the tubing shrink or get stretched? Did you have the right size clamps? Or did the barb shrink? Was the barb cracked, then collapsed on itself?

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

I hate plastic clamps. Just look at how they work. They leave a huge gap open and they wiggle!

I used worm clamps but zip ties are great. Used in racing for quick repairs and by cops for arresting convicts.

Zip ties are easier to install. Disposable and very cheap. $2 for like a hundred 7cm black ones and $4 for fifty 10cm. You can even use two them.

Come in multiple colors too!

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

I like using 7/16" tubing on 1/2" barbs for just that little extra "snugness". I hate the look of SS worm clamps, and when over-tightened, can do more harm then good. SS spring clamps, or High tensile nylon ties for me.

Re: Disaster Averted and Hose Clamp Advice
 

After years of trying almost all possible clamps, i'm now a big supporter of zip ties.
Put 2 zip ties on each barb, each in opposite direction. Tighten them with pliers. The result is neat, and survives trips to LAN parties with water in the system. Highly recommended.