Source
r/watercooling•
speculationn

Coolant Levels Decreasing Too Fast?

Question

I've been using my current watercooled PC nearly every day for 2 and a half months now. Over the course of this time, the coolant level has dropped about 2 cm. I got most of the air out when i filled it; filled res, ran pump, filled again, ran pump more etc until the level didn't go down anymore, then just topped it off. Is the 2cm a small enough amount where it could still just be air trapped within, or is there a small leak or something that I didn't catch. If so, no actual liquid is leaking anywhere and it's just air I guess? I'm not so sure how these super small leaks work. If it's the latter should I be worried?

Posted Mar 2, 2019, 5:48 PM UTC

26
skingun•

Likely still air trapped but it wouldn't hurt to check your fittings and stop plugs.

1
speculationnOP•

Thanks. I figured it was just trapped air still (It's my first loop) but I'll check to make sure everything is tightened.

1
tetchip•

A 2 cm drop is nothing to be concerned over. Doubly so if it was your first loop and you haven't bled your loop well. Don't worry about it.

1
grassfedchicken•

I dropped about 3 cm over 4 months in mine, don't sweat it.

1
Overencucumbered•

What's happening is permeation of water through the tubing, primarily. This happens naturally through most types of tubing, rubber and plastic but rubber is by far the worst.

There could also be microgaps in interfaces here and there. If the evaporation rate of the escaping water is faster than the "leak" rate then you will never notice as there will be no drops. Unless you use corrosion inhibitors and other goodies, then these will form white blemishes.

1
EKJake•

Radiators can hold far more air than expected. If you can't see a leak anywhere, it's likely still air bleeding out.

1