Watercooling making really weird noises - did it break?

[StayTuned]

it went from super silent to this in a heartbeat and it won't stop. Shutting down and running it up again only causes it to start these sounds once more. It almost sounds like bubbles or something in the circulation, or as if something is scratching on the inside. Then it sometimes stops making sounds for a moment, only to restart again soon after. It has never done this before today.

It's a really old setup, well over 8 years old. I think I've kept it in good shape but damn this is really loud and annoying. What to do?

[Deleted]

Not experienced enough with all in ones but coming from an engineering background it sounds as though the pump is running dry but maybe I'm wrong. Can you check temperatures and post back?

[StayTuned]

Not experienced enough with all in ones but coming from an engineering background it sounds as though the pump is running dry but maybe I'm wrong. Can you check temperatures and post back?

Doing right now, I just figured it would probably be nice to know if the CPU is overheating or something. Gimme a sec

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Itel Core i7 920 (Bloomfield) OC from 2.67 to 3.99 - 64°C on all 4 cores

It seems as if it goes quiet when I'm only on my desktop. But just as much as going back to the browser makes it start up again. (or it could really be just my imagination - it comes and goes as it pleases)

[Deleted]

is that idle? I think it is quite high if idle but will wait for another opinion.

[StayTuned]

is that idle? I think it is quite high if idle but will wait for another opinion.

Checking it in WOW right now. Hanging around in SS it goes up to 72 on average

[Ornerybear]

while i'm not super versed in water cooling on PCs, I am familiar with fluid pumps.

My thought is as stated, its running dry, air in the lines?

also could be a bad bearing, can you rebuild this pump?

anyway, just a thought. someone who actually knows about pc watercooling can hopefully chime in

[Ealyssa]

Really sounds like a bearing problem in your pump.

And not really on topic, but THAT DUST O_o Respect your hardware dammit !

[Lathais]

Doing right now, I just figured it would probably be nice to know if the CPU is overheating or something. Gimme a sec

- - - Updated - - -

Itel Core i7 920 (Bloomfield) OC from 2.67 to 3.99 - 64°C on all 4 cores

It seems as if it goes quiet when I'm only on my desktop. But just as much as going back to the browser makes it start up again. (or it could really be just my imagination - it comes and goes as it pleases)

That seems kinda high for an AIO, though I am not really familiar with that CPU and it's temps. Here is a post of other people with that CPU and their temps:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2050140

Yours does seem high. That would lead me to believe that yes, something in the pump is failing or there is not enough water in there. As old as that is, I would recommend just replacing it if possible. Today's air coolers are much better than they were in the past and can actually compete with AIO coolers, in some cases even outperform them. Something simple and cheap like a be quiet pure rock would likely work well for you, or you could spend more on something like the be quiet dark rock pro or a noctua NH-D15. If you want to stick with liquid cooling and an AIO, Corsair makes some great ones.

[Evildeffy]

I can tell you up front right now that the issue is located in the actual pump and it's the bearings that are worn.

Can't fix other than replace it.

Had the same on my Corsair Hydro H100 (the original revision) after 4 years.. it drove me insane listening to it.
Corsair luckily offers 5 years warranty and since the H100i wasn't on stock I got a H100i GTX which was released just like a week before.

Awesome timing.

As far as 64°C goes ... are those idle temps or load temps? If idle then even for old AIOs it's quite high and probably not pumping the water well.
The pump speed has likely halved or even less so that will explain stuff.

Solution: RMA if it has Warranty, if not ... buy a new cooler.

[Vash The Stampede]

Yep, the bearings are worn out. You could look to see if there's replacement bearings, but good luck refilling the system afterwards.

[StayTuned]

yea could be that its worn out. it really is old, i guess ill just replace it with a cooling fan. gotta check out which one, someone already posted a suggestion so ill check that out first.

and yea its a bit dusty but meh, cannot bother cleaning that shit every week. its an old setup, and will work until it breaks apart lol. i'm cleaning it quaterly this has to be enough haha