How to remove CPU cooler with old liquid metal from the CPU ?

[iZip]

So I got my hands on a secondhand PC with a custom water loop, and I'm in the process of cleaning everything, repasting, etc. The issue is that I don't know how to remove the CPU waterblock from the CPU/motherboard.
According to the seller, there is liquid metal underneath the block, and there wasn't any mention of how long he had it in there. I read on Reddit that liquid metal can crystalize and cause damage, so now I'm kind of afraid the CPU and block are now forever stuck on the motherboard. So far, I tried to heat up the CPU a bit, but based on the motherboard errors, I didn't even make it to Windows.

Any ideas on how to get the cooler of ?


i9 9900k
EK-Velocity
ASUS Maximus IX HERO

 

[iZip]

Is that metal on the board rather than a hole?

It's 100% a hole (you can see the copper sticking out of the sides).

 

[Lei]

I might try tomorrow, as I don't have these on me at the moment.

I tried the hairdryer, but it didn't work out. The picture is what I'm stuck on.

I had a gpu with heatsinks glued to the VRMs. I had to remove them to attach a waterblock. Any method I used was almost tearing the chips off, finally tooth floss did the job ridiculously well.

 

[Shrek]

I had a gpu with heatsinks glued to the VRMs. I had to remove them to attach a waterblock. Any method I used was almost tearing the chips off, finally tooth floss did the job ridiculously well.

Always good to learn new techniques.