14MM Hardline fittings Leak

[cbpagent]

I have a new custom loop I am building and I went all in on Corsair three radiators, 13 RGB fans, one CPU block, 14mm hardline tubing, XD5 pump and reservoir, and about $400 of hardline fittings.  The 14mm Corsair hardline fittings leak, All of them. It is very slow leak takes about a couple hours for all the air to escape. I tested them using the EKWB air tester and couldn't figure out the leak finally put some of them under water and I saw the bubbles coming out of the bottom twist down ring and the cap, each one I tested they all leak air. Why is nobody talking about this? Ughhh!!!

 

Also their caps are garbage and strip easy I am having to change everything to EKWB after investing hundreds in Corsair fittings. I have been a huge Corsair fan but the water-cooling side of the house is substandard.

[LeDoyen]

Corsair is all Bitspower fittings, and they are pretty high quality to be honest.

But they will leak if the tubes are not chamfered and deburred correctly, no matter what brand. Usually that's where the problem lies, since it'sz very easy to snag and damage the seals.

[Suisakul]

On 11/26/2021 at 2:02 PM, cbpagent said:

Why is nobody talking about this?

I guess because many people (me include) build their corsair systems without having this Problem. 

As mentioned These are bitspower fittings, and they are generally high quality. 

If I were in your place I would reconsider my handling with these fittings because it is super unlikely all of you 400$ fittings leak because of Bad manufactoring. 

A few points that might be worth evaluating:

- Way of deburring. And check if the seals are damaged. 

- Tube diameter (maybe is not exactly 14mm). 

- inserting the tube completely into the fitting before screwing the second part on

- also I dont get your loop in the picture: is the three way piece closed Apart from the tube to the radiator? Then you would great over pressure in the System, that might cause the "leaks"

Before you sink another 400$ into other fittings I would find out where the Real Problem is first. 

[Mark_T]

On 11/26/2021 at 1:02 PM, cbpagent said:

I tested them using the EKWB air tester...

What pressure were you using for the test?

[LeDoyen]

2 hours ago, Suisakul said:

 

A few points that might be worth evaluating:

- Way of deburring. And check if the seals are damaged. 

 

 

When i started hardline tubing I found out that using the deburring tool wasn't enough. the sharp 45° chamfer can still cut your orings easily sometimes, or damage them.

Now i debur with the tool, then polish the ends rubbing the tube on my trousers quickly.. a bit ghetto but it makes for smoother, rounder edges that slide easier in the fittings.

Cleaning the o-rings prior, and wetting the tube end with water also helps. Painted fittings can sometimes have small paint flakes on the o-ring surface.

 

But having ALL seals leak is definitely extremely unlikely to be caused by the gear itself.

[LockDots]

On 11/30/2021 at 11:31 AM, Mark_T said:

What pressure were you using for the test?

If i had to guess, he's probably testing in the "green" area which is much higher than recommended for a loop to begin with.

[Mark_T]

1 minute ago, LockDots said:

If i had to guess, he's probably testing in the "green" area which is much higher than recommended for a loop to begin with.

That would be my guess too, but was giving the benefit of the doubt 🙂

[LeDoyen]

most gear is rated up to 1.5 bar. the green zone shouldn't be a problem tbh ^^

the reservoir will pop open long before the fittings give up as the mad man showed 😛 

 

 

[LockDots]

He proved that it can hold higher pressure for a shorter amount of time. Not necessarily that it can hold high pressure indefinitely. That being said, I'm thinking his fittings are finger tight, but could be tighter considering they're leaking from the secondary O-ring