MCW5000-P leakage. Anyone else?
 

I've got a MCW5000-P block and all was going fine until I removed the setup from my system to add a video card block. After re-connecting everything, I know have leakage around the area where the 1/2" barb insert fits into the block.

No matter how many times I remove it and re-seat it, it still leaks. I have no idea if the problem lies with the 0 ring that appears to sit inside the fitting of the block or with the barb. I only just bought the block on 6/20/2003, so something isn't quite right.

Anyone else ever experience leakage in the same area with this block?

I just got an MCW50 GPU block. I haven't leak tested it yet, but I have concerns about the same area.

The barb inserts seem to be held fairly loosely in the press in fitting. I don't feel very secure about using the block/barbs as is. I need to do some more investigation to understand the situation though. I may end up just JB welding the barbs in.

Tip:

Quick-connect fittings can NOT have the slightest lateral pressure on the tubes, may need to shorten or lenghten tubes as necessary. Make sure tubes are going in straight, and also is a good idea to cut away 1/2 of tube ends that have any irregularities (need to be 90 deg straight cut).

These aren't the quick connect fittings though. My leakage is occuring where the barb plugs into the fitting on the block, no where near where the tube is attached to the threaded end of the barb.

Attached is an image (not mine) that shows the connection and what the barbs look like. I put an arrow where my leakage is occuring.

Swiftech is sending me a new block (hopefully the dropped deck Revision 2) and 2 new barbs, since I don't know which piece has the problem.

Yes, the area you indicate in the picture, is the same area I am concerned about.

It had been running fine for about 1 month, but after taking it all apart to add a video cooler that connection started to leak.

Since that part of the barb is straight, plumbers tape won't really help. Maybe silicone rubber after in place just to be sure?

I got this response from Swiftech regarding the leak:

The seal in quick-connect fittings is solely provided by the o'ring. The leak in the area you showed is due to a damaged or defective o'ring. This is quite a rare occurence in itself, but it happens. Replacement of the o'ring is quick and simple: remove the collet by gently pulling it out at an angle. This will provide easy access to the o'ring. Remove the defective o'ring, replace it by the new o'ring and re-insert the collet.

They were going to send me a new o-ring and collet free, except I have already RMA'ed the entire block.

I'd put a tiny bead of silicone around the barb before pushing it home the last couple of MM's, as well as changing the o~ring...

i'd say just buy from some one else. swiftech continues to amaze me with how much thier products and they as a company suck. i had 2 VERY bad experiences with them and it seems no matter how many times i say this people continue to buy thier JUNK.

when your replacement comes just box it up and send it back. thats the ONLY way you will be able to trust thier product not to FUBAR your pc.

Ok, so you've had bad experiences with Swiftech.

My impression, having read a lot of watercooling posts over the last year, is that you are in a fairly small minority. I see a lot more quality complaints about most other manufacturers. My impression is that the only manufacturer that has a better quality track record than Swiftech is Little River Water Blocks.

The O-rings in the Swiftech blocks can be damaged by sharp edges on fittings that are inserted and/or no lubrication on the hose or fitting causing them to tear. It could have been just one of them things too.

I've got a pair of Swiftech MCW5000 blocks that have numerous installs and hose changes with no problems.

I also have Swiftech blocks in my system, and I for one WOULD buy from them again. Specifically, I have two MCW5000's and one MCW50, and I have never had a single problem. I think their blocks are very nice, I would just never buy their pump or rad...

--Ferdi