Clean a water-cooling loop

Antony Leather shows you how to clean your loop to prevent deposit build-ups.

Antony Leather shows you how to clean your loop to prevent deposit build-ups.

1. The first step is to drain the system. All systems are different (you may have a T-line or quick
draining, or a separate port on your reservoir), but take care not to spill water in the case. It can help
to blow on one end of the tubing to force out as much of the old coolant as possible.
2. Perfectionists may now want to flush the system with deionised water; alternatively, you can just
tip the system on its side to drain the radiators and the pump. If you have a Thermochill radiator,
you’ll have a convenient bleed port that comes in very handy for draining water-cooling systems.

3. You’ll now need two bottles of Alphacool Sysclean (£4.20 each from www.specialtech.co.uk), a
measuring jug and a 5l bottle of deionised water. If you haven’t cleaned your system for a year, make
a 1:5 ratio solution of Sysclean and deionised water. For regular cleans (every six months), a 1:10
solution is ample.
4. Sysclean has inhibitors to prevent corrosion to metal rubber and plastic parts. We left a rubber O-
ring seal from a common water-cooling pump and a plastic barb in Sysclean solution for a month, and
it had no effect. Just dip a penny in for a few seconds to see how well it works!

5. Sysclean isn’t hazardous, but make surfe spills are mopped up. Once you’ve made the solution,
reconnect any loose tubing and fill the system with it. The radiator(s) will be empty and will fill up
when the pump is on, so don’t throw away your solution yet, as you may need more.
6. Remove any power connectors, and use an ATX Power Jumper (from www.componentsuk.co.uk)
to power on your pump without switching on any other components. Leave the pump running for 30
minutes with a 1:5 ratio solution, or an hour with a 1:10 ratio solution.

7. You’ll see the colour of the water change as the limescale, oxides and deposits are removed. Don’t
leave the solution in the system overnight or for long periods, though, as it may damage certain
surfaces. It’s also worth checking for leaks at this point.
8. The next step is to flush the system. Open the loop at a location that allows it to continue filling as
it drains. We opened it after the GPU block, but you’ll have to decide on the best location for your
setup. Remove as much solution as possible, and then fill the reservoir with deionised water.

9. Run a length of longer tubing from the opening to a bucket, and turn on the pump with the ATX
Power Jumper. Refill the reservoir with the remaining water and turn off the pump when it’s empty.
Then reconnect any tubing and fill the system with a coolant mix. Finally, bleed the system to remove
any air bubbles.