How do you clean a liquid cooling system?

1 Gather the tools

Before you start, make sure you have the following tools and materials ready: a soft cloth, a microfiber cloth, distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, a syringe or a squeeze bottle, a funnel, a drain pan, and a screwdriver. You will also need some spare coolant or distilled water to refill the system after cleaning.

2 Drain the system

The first step is to drain the old coolant from the system. To do this, you need to power off your PC and disconnect it from the power source. Then, locate the drain port on your reservoir or radiator and open it carefully. Use the syringe or the squeeze bottle to suck out the remaining coolant from the tubes and the components. Collect the coolant in the drain pan and dispose of it properly.

3 Clean the reservoir

The next step is to clean the reservoir, which is the tank that holds the coolant. To do this, you need to detach the reservoir from the mounting bracket and unscrew the cap. Then, rinse the reservoir with distilled water and wipe it with a soft cloth. You can also use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove any stains or residues. Make sure the reservoir is completely dry before reattaching it.

4 Clean the radiator

The radiator is the component that dissipates the heat from the coolant. To clean it, you need to remove it from the case and blow out any dust or debris with compressed air. You can also use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the fins and the tubes. Do not use any liquid or abrasive materials to clean the radiator, as they can damage it. Reinstall the radiator in the case and reconnect the tubes.

5 Clean the pump

The pump is the component that circulates the coolant through the system. To clean it, you need to disconnect it from the power and the tubes. Then, rinse it with distilled water and wipe it with a soft cloth. You can also use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove any stains or residues. Make sure the pump is completely dry before reconnecting it.

6 Clean the water block

The water block is the component that transfers the heat from the CPU or GPU to the coolant. To clean it, you need to remove it from the motherboard and the graphics card. Then, rinse it with distilled water and wipe it with a soft cloth. You can also use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove any stains or residues. Make sure the water block is completely dry before reinstalling it.