EK Waterblock screw issue

[repsol23]

I must admit that I cannot for the life of me see how this got past me two years ago (been running in my system since July '22) but I have a EK waterblock for my 3080ti and it is missing two screws that attach the acetal to the block itself. I am attaching two photos for comparison and hoping someone can chime in with some advice for me. The block with the three arrows is my block and missing screws have red arrows, the blue arrow is a screw that is actually loose somehow and dripping ever so slightly (was how I noticed leak, caused by PSU to shutdown).

Anyhow, my question is this. I have a photo of my EK block for a 3080ti and a block for an rx6800 and I am hoping the screws that have red arrows are compatible between the blocks. I need to find replacements and I don't know of any other way other than buying a cheap used block to scavenge. I have emailed EK but am not sure if they will be kind enough to assist me and I want to get my PC up and running. If anyone knows the specs of the screws in question that would be amazing though I am sure I would have to order online either way.

After posting this, I began searching web and found this. Anyone else experience anything like this with EK blocks?

https://www.reddit.com/r/watercooling/comments/axtd3c

 

[ir_cow]

I think they are just standard m3 screws. Take one out, go down to the local hardware store and buy screws that are the same. Not the first time I've done it with waterblock.

 

[repsol23]

I think they are just standard m3 screws. Take one out, go down to the local hardware store and buy screws that are the same. Not the first time I've done it with waterblock.

I wish it were that simple. I have a Lowes and Home Depot available here and the smallest M3 screw is this one and I know it won't work. I can't even venture a guess at the length. The best photo I could get was from the manual that showed the screws to attach but the length looks long to me for what I need. I circled the screws that I think correspond to the ones I am missing.

Thanks for the feedback though. Very much appreciated!!

 

[ty_ger]

It won't work because of the length? Or the diameter? Or the head size?
If length is the problem, cut it shorter. Buy a screw and a nut, thread the nut on, cut the screw shorter, knock off the burrs with a file, and then unscrew the nut to clean up the threads.

 

[repsol23]

I found something more along the lines with a little bit of refining on my search. My last issue is that is it zinc and I already know water passes by the screws as I had two drops on my PSU last night. I use distilled water with around 5 - 10 mL of 50/50 antifreeze but I hate the idea of possibly mixing metals in my loop!! Even scared to do as a temp fix as I don't know how long I would need to have it on there before I get issues.

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

They are M4X8 DIN 7984

as per manual

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/EK-IM/EK-IM-3831109832981.pdf

 

[repsol23]

They are M4X8 DIN 7984

as per manual

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/EK-IM/EK-IM-3831109832981.pdf

Wow, I swear I searched all their manuals and never noticed that particular exploded view of the block. I wish I could buy you a beer my friend, thanks a million!!

 

[cvaldes]

If you can't find these screws in your local hardware big box stores and you have no other stores nearby that sell hardware (including ones that cater to commercial customers), just buy them online from AliExpress. Maybe $3-4 and you'll have 49 spares.

 

[repsol23]

Well, I must admit I am a hoarder of all my spare parts so I would normally have said I will go and grab one off one of my old GPU's in my garage boxed up. But, over a year ago I took all my metals to a recycle shop in town as it was just collecting dust in my garage. I had several bent aluminum rims (old 20's from back in day), aluminum cans, and I think 3 huge water blocks along with two old aluminum rads that leaked. Sadly, the blocks were EK and I know I could have most likely scavenged them. LOL.

I plan on taking my block off when I get home and inspecting all the screws. I am hoping that tightening the lone screw between the missing ones will stop the leak temporarily until I source the proper screws!!

Thanks all for the feedback!!

 

[A Computer Guy]

Well, I must admit I am a hoarder of all my spare parts so I would normally have said I will go and grab one off one of my old GPU's in my garage boxed up. But, over a year ago I took all my metals to a recycle shop in town as it was just collecting dust in my garage. I had several bent aluminum rims (old 20's from back in day), aluminum cans, and I think 3 huge water blocks along with two old aluminum rads that leaked. Sadly, the blocks were EK and I know I could have most likely scavenged them. LOL.

I plan on taking my block off when I get home and inspecting all the screws. I am hoping that tightening the lone screw between the missing ones will stop the leak temporarily until I source the proper screws!!

Thanks all for the feedback!!

At least it's a somewhat standard screw. I lost a small screw gasket by mistake because I couldn't see it against the black acetal and it washed right down the sink.

 

[Ruru]

Haha, my 3080's Vector TUF waterblock has the same issue. Though haven't heard a "glonk" yet that a screw gets loose and drops during use, but during cleaning etc. they're always more or less loose.

 

[xrobwx71]

I've never installed a water block and is why I ask; can you use a dab of (blue) Loctite on those screws?

 

[repsol23]

I am not sure what rock I have been hiding under but I have been watercooling for nearly 2 decades and this is the first I hear of screws loosing on their own essentially. At least in a non moving parts type of setting. Heck, my tubing isn't even rigid, I use the cheap 3/8 tubing from Lowes so I can replace often. No joke, the pump I have is an old swiftech pump, mc-xxx or along those lines and is the first and only pump I have ever purchased and has lasted me over 2 decades. Knock on wood.

I've never installed a water block and is why I ask; can you use a dab of Loctite on those screws?

I recall removing screws (over all my years) from blocks and seeing the blue loctite many times but not all the time! So I would presume it should be ok but I am not a pro at this by any means.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

If I am to assume the water dripped into the power supply, the screws also dripped into the power supply. I'd take that out flip it over and shake it, see if any pocket change falls out, or perhaps the missing screws instead would be cool.

 

[repsol23]

If I am to assume the water dripped into the power supply, the screws also dripped into the power supply. I'd take that out flip it over and shake it, see if any pocket change falls out, or perhaps the missing screws instead would be cool.

Funny you should mention that. I had to double check my credit card but in September of '23 I had to replace my old corsair 850 Watt PSU. Bought an corsair RX1000 from best buy as I couldn't wait to have one shipped. Less than a month later, one night early in the AM was playing Tarkov and heard the loudest explosion (made me jump in my seat) along with the bright white flash. I have a glass side case and could clearly see flash from PSU but was so loud my daughter woke up and came to me wondering what happened. Anyhow, when removed PSU could clearly see exploded capacitor but I also noted hearing a small rattling sound that wasn't there was I installed in weeks earlier. I am wondering if at that time one of the screws feel into the PSU and shorted it out.

Last night when I saw water drops my PSU would not stay turned on. When power button hit the rgb would flicker then nothing and I would hear a click from PSU maybe half second later. After waking up this morning I turned my PC on and booted up just fine. I shut it down right away as I still want to remove the PSU and make sure i see no moisture in there anywhere.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Funny you should mention that. I had to double check my credit card but in September of '23 I had to replace my old corsair 850 Watt PSU. Bought an corsair RX1000 from best buy as I couldn't wait to have one shipped. Less than a month later, one night early in the AM was playing Tarkov and heard the loudest explosion (made me jump in my seat) along with the bright white flash. I have a glass side case and could clearly see flash from PSU but was so loud my daughter woke up and came to me wondering what happened. Anyhow, when removed PSU could clearly see exploded capacitor but I also noted hearing a small rattling sound that wasn't there was I installed in weeks earlier. I am wondering if at that time one of the screws feel into the PSU and shorted it out.

That funny story sounds like that's exactly what happened!

Blue lock tight is ok. Or you could try anaerobic gasket maker, might not hold as tight. I use it on gear case bolts and covers. It doesn't dry hardened, it's more tacky than anything.

 

[ty_ger]

My last issue is that is it zinc and I already know water passes by the screws as I had two drops on my PSU last night.

Those screws are outside of the loop. They should not get wet. I think the only reason it is dripping now is because the o-ring is leaking due to lack of clamping pressure because the screws are missing.

 

[kapone32]

When I got deep into Watercooling. I paid the premium to get a EK Waterblock for my 6800XT. It was great in that it was truly single slot. The manual stated that if you did not use EK parts they were not responsible. Well is not G 1/4 universal? Well yes, life was great with my Alphacool quick connect tubing. I was happy for about 4 5 months when one day the O ring failed. My PC looked like Niagara Falls at night. When I contacted EK. They wanted me to pay essentially for another block just to send it for RMA. Get Aplhacool or Byiski and be happy. I had a Byiski block on a Vega 64 that sat for years and just needed a flush out and we were good.

 

[Shrek]

My last issue is that is it zinc and I already know water passes by the screws as I had two drops on my PSU last night. I use distilled water with around 5 - 10 mL of 50/50 antifreeze but I hate the idea of possibly mixing metals in my loop!!

Use stainless steel screws.

 

[ty_ger]

Use stainless steel screws.

They aren't in the loop.

 

[repsol23]

When I got deep into Watercooling. I paid the premium to get a EK Waterblock for my 6800XT. It was great in that it was truly single slot. The manual stated that if you did not use EK parts they were not responsible. Well is not G 1/4 universal? Well yes, life was great with my Alphacool quick connect tubing. I was happy for about 4 5 months when one day the O ring failed. My PC looked like Niagara Falls at night. When I contacted EK. They wanted me to pay essentially for another block just to send it for RMA. Get Aplhacool or Byiski and be happy. I had a Byiski block on a Vega 64 that sat for years and just needed a flush out and we were good.

Well, I would say I have been knee deep in watercooling for at least 20 years. To the point that when I buy a new gpu I am already sourcing waterblocks. And when I say new, I tend to mean used but new to me as I can't afford current gen prices. So, all my stuff is used which is why I initially thought the block was missing screws when purchased but now I am second guessing that. I have been fortunate in that I have always used EK gpu blocks and this is my first bad experience/leak. But I was able to acquire some screws from my local Home Depot for less than $2 and I am back up and running. PSU showed no signs of water in there so I am going to assume it evaporated in the 18 hours it stayed idle.

Thanks for all the help.