Cleaning Water Cooler ?

kbrady1979 said:

The only problem I see with these coolers are the fact that the pump heatsink and the radiator material are dissimilar metals, usually copper and aluminum. Over time galvanic corrosion might set up and cause some problems. I'm sure all precautions that could be taken were, and it would take a few years or more for it to happen. We'll see!

Yes Kelly there is but one has to remember there has to be an electrolyte in the cooling solution for any significant erosion to take place and without looking I don't know if the manufacturers use distilled water or demineralised water (basically the same thing) or even if the glycol solutions allow that reaction to take place.

Interesting subject though. Galvanic corrosion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My own LC is an Intel and it looks almost all a hard injection molded plastic (pump housing and internals to me the only metal parts obvious is the radiator and I am wondering if it a one metal dedicated construction ie tanks and tubes all aluminium or all copper. Judging by the weight of the thing when I installed it I would say aluminium.
I suppose if the manufacturers were wised up to any possibility they would have included a sacrificial anode somewhere:)

kbrady1979 said:

I'm sure the manufacturers put in an additive that combats corrosion, but over time it will be less and less effective. Almost all pump/heatsinks are copper(one or two are aluminum) and almost all rads are aluminum. I don't think it's a problem we're all going to have with our units, but it IS possible that over time it could crud up lol. Nothing you can do about it though as most are completely sealed. I think if this Intel lasts until I get ready for a new build, it's been worth it.

Yes mate when you think about it they wold be mad not to. Anyway like you say if it goes the distance for a few years like a car's cooling system which I reckon would have to take a far worse beating than our machines it will be fine.

It's simple to me. If you know your fan is working properly and the radiator is clean and of course the cooler is installed properly. If your temps are not right it is time to replace the cooler. My cooler (H-50) and every thing I have read of other peoples coolers they will work for years. The OP's concern was about a sealed water cooler for a cpu.

I understand you are in the (what if mode). What I don't know is if it is confusing the OP'S knowledge seeking post. The question has been answered for 20 hours. That is the purpose of post #14 to try to make sure the OP leaves this thread knowing the proper answer and not confused by a bunch of what if's.
Have a nice day.

I understand perfectly well. And I value everyone's input :)