Aurora Desktop Liquid Cooling Leak

Yes, the stock Asetek cooler has leaked on users before.

However, be sure that's not just thermal paste you are seeing ... sometimes they are pretty sloppy with it.

Booting to Dell Diags (outside of Windows) will tell you if the pump and radiator-fan are turning. Yes, if pump is stopped, it only takes a few minutes before thermal shut-down. Verify problem ... could be something else causing shut-downs. Recently, also heard of MIO-Board going so bad they prevent a good pump/rad-fan from turning.

Easiest thing is to replace with stock cooler (so MIO-Board/Command-Center interface will again work).

Yes, you can install stock cooler. However, you will interface directly to MB (like normal computer) or use it's bundled dedicated pump/fan controller and/or software.

Search forum. There are many threads over the years.

Yes, you must clean off old and re-apply thermal paste.

That one is used (bad choice). You already have a used one and you see how that worked out. Get a new one from Dell parts.

However, you really should verify the problem first. Either in Dell Diags or Command Center ... see what is says about the Pump running/turning. Anyone can randomly change parts and hope for the best. Usually a slow and overly-expensive process.

Thanks

If I were to purchase a replacement cooler such as

www.ebay.com/.../190593840354

would assembly simply consist of screwing/unscrewing and reattaching the two pin connecters, or would I also have to re-apply thermal paste etc.

Ya, selection of the real custom parts is non-existent online. You will have to call Dell Spare Parts 1-800-357-3355 .

If there is still some on there, smear-it-around-even and re-attach. Don't leave it like that forever, but fine for testing.

Thanks again

Unfortunately I looked around the dell parts website and I wasn't able to find a liquid cooler.  

I'm reluctant to turn it on again, at least for the moment, without applying a new coat of thermal paste, as I had previously removed the heat sink to make sure the cpu wasn't fried / no coolant had leaked to it.  However, I'm fairly certain it's the cooler that's busted; the amount of white residue is excessive and seems to match the description of others who've had leaks.  Similarly, when I was able to keep the machine on for a few minutes the fans would ramp up to jet-engine levels.

After a quick diag check it turned out to be the the fan/pump that failed. I was wondering, if I were to get a stock Intel 1366 fan/heatsink - turns out to be a few bucks on amazon - could I simply power it using the unused 4 pin 'CPU FAN' near the sys fan pins.  Would there be any notable issues / hurdles installing it; I don't mind losing control center to control the fan, never really used it before, just woud like to know if it'd work

I've read about people installing aftermarket coolers successfully. How exactly? ... you will have to search and read the post threads.

Also, you might lose more MIO-Board/Command Center functionality that you bargained for. Some of those fan headers are required for proper MIO-Board operation (control of other things).

If you are sure the Asetek cooler is dead, fine.

However, don't throw it away just yet ... it might still have a purpose in life. Don't change or destroy it. Please put in ziplock bag so you can examine it later (after you get your system up and running).

On a somewhat different note, there is some coolant residue on the top plate of the mobo's north bridge heatsink.  Since the plate is just metallic / no actual transistors are present, I know this won't pose an immediate problem; however, don't know if it would affect temps at all, so wasn't sure if I need to clean it off.

- to be clear not actually sure if the heat sink  I spoke of actually has anything to do with north bridge, it's simply the heat sink immediately below the cpu, and above the gpu -

So the stock intel cooler arrived, managed to score it for a few bucks.  Sadly the securing push pins won't push down to secure the cooler.  As hard as I try, the push pins won't budge down.  I'm not sure if the mobo is specially fitted for the retention ring on the liquid cooling system or what, but I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet and just get a replacement liq. system : \

Well, I know others have installed (socket 1366) after-market coolers. Not sure what you got there. Be sure you are turning and pushing the pins correctly.

If there is something on the back of the MB, I think you are suppose to remove it because it is really part of the stock liquid cooler.

Ah, yeah I believe you're correct about a retainer plate on the back of the mobo that's used for the retention ring screws.  Though, I'm not sure how I can reach the back of the mobo without taking the whole thing out, also a semi-bummer.

The other side panel comes off also. Get Service Manual PDF.