To drain coolant from your PC's liquid cooling loop, you will need to prepare the system and open the drain valve, ensuring the collected coolant flows into a container positioned below the loop.
Draining your PC's liquid cooling loop is essential for maintenance, changing coolant, or disassembling the system. The process involves turning off the power, preparing for cleanup, and opening the loop at a designated drain point.
Here are the general steps involved in draining your PC's liquid cooling system:
Preparation Steps
- Turn Off the PC: Crucially, you should probably turn off the PC. First. This is a critical safety step to prevent damage.
- Gather Supplies: You will need a container to collect the coolant (like a bottle or bucket), towels or paper towels to catch spills, and potentially tools like an Allen key or screwdriver depending on your drain valve type.
- Position the Container: Place the collection container lower than your liquid cooling loop. According to the reference, the bottle should be lower than the loop. This utilizes gravity to help the coolant drain efficiently.
- Protect Components: Place towels strategically under the drain point and around vulnerable components like your graphics card and motherboard to absorb any drips or spills.
Draining the Coolant
- Locate the Drain Valve: Most custom liquid cooling loops have a dedicated drain valve installed at the lowest point of the loop. This is typically a ball valve or a similar mechanism.
- Open the Drain Valve: Open the valve to allow the coolant to flow out. Based on the reference, this might involve opening the valve by sliding this part. The exact mechanism will depend on your specific valve type.
- Allow Coolant to Drain: Let gravity do its work. The coolant will flow from the loop into your container. This might take several minutes.
- Tilt the PC (Optional): Carefully tilting your PC case in different directions can help trapped coolant flow towards the drain valve, ensuring a more complete drain.
- Close the Valve: Once the coolant has drained, close the drain valve tightly.
Post-Drainage
After draining, you may want to flush the loop with distilled water to remove residual coolant before adding new fluid. Always consult the manuals for your specific liquid cooling components (radiators, pumps, blocks, fittings, etc.) for model-specific instructions.
| Step | Action | Important Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Power Off | Turn off and unplug the PC. | Probably turn off the PC. First. |
| Prepare Collection | Place a container below the drain valve. | The bottle should be lower than the loop. |
| Open Drain Valve | Activate the drain valve. | Might involve sliding this part. |
| Drain & Tilt | Let coolant flow; tilt PC to help. | Be careful not to spill. |
| Close Valve | Securely close the drain valve. | Prevent leaks when refilling. |
Remember that specific component types and loop configurations can vary, so identifying your drain point and valve type is crucial before starting the process.
