Leaking Capacitor Exploration


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One of my machines has been experiencing the symptoms of a leaking capacitor (random instability). Prior to considering that a cause I did the usual troubleshooting things. I swapped out the video card (as the instability tended to happen in games), tested the PSU with a PSU tester, tested the RAM, cleaned; inspected; and reseated the CPU, etc.

 

When none of that fixed the issue I pulled out my flashlight and canvased the board surface. I noticed the capacitor in the picture which lead me to assume this was a leaking capacitor. Asus claimed they fixed a leaking capacitor when this was sent in for a warranty RMA, but it came back still looking the same...

 

I'm interested in others thoughts on this. My limited understanding of capacitors on a board such as this (Sabertooth X58) is that they are solid capacitors so there really shouldn't be anything to leak. But this seems to suggest otherwise.

 

Also not happy that Asus RMA didn't appear to do anything. The board arrived back today and is undergoing stress testing...

 

zhYBzFl.jpg

 

You can look at the rest of the images @ http://imgur.com/a/HG2rc

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hum.. all am i seeing is just capacitors, where is the leak?

I should have annotated the image. I have attempted to do so in this post.

 

post-16763-0-53453800-1392091297.png

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Those are solid capacitors so there isn't anything to leak. (No top break points)  You would need a capacity tester to find out for sure.  To clarify, Asus was able to verify a failure?

 

Did you try a different set of memory yet?

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Those are solid capacitors so there isn't anything to leak. (No top break points)  You would need a capacity tester to find out for sure.  To clarify, Asus was able to verify a failure?

 

Did you try a different set of memory yet?

That is my understanding as well. I'm wondering what really is attached to this capacitor...

 

Asus stated they replaced a leaking capacitor. Just not the one in the picture...

 

I'm not really able to find any solid information on solid state capacitor failure. As they supposedly can leak, but it is highly unlikely.

 

As suggested here at least: http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=71726

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Just replace the cap yourself.  Ive done that with a video card and a motherboard.  Fixed them 100%... but it helps working with electronics and having the parts on hand.

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Hello,

Is it still a complete cylinder shape or does it have a bulge?

And LogicalApex, I hate you :p I read "Leaking Capacitor Explosion" and I just came for the "explosion" part :laugh:

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I can't seem to confirm if ASUS's TUF caps are Nichicon tantalum (true solid) or Fujitsu's Functional Polymer which can bloat/leak.  If they used the word 'leak' I assume the latter.  That thread also seems to indicate that poly caps should generally just pop on failure.  Sounds like yours might be in the grey, I'm surprised ASUS repaired it vs just sending you a different one.

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^ After looking it up, I'm going with Dashel. These could be FPCAPs which aren't solid but look like solid. That being said, can you get a better shot of the cruft.

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^ After looking it up, I'm going with Dashel. These could be FPCAPs which aren't solid but look like solid. That being said, can you get a better shot of the cruft.

I don't have a great macro lens so I put the best shots I could take in the album I linked to. I attempted to capture it from a few angles.

The cruft is only on the capacitor. Not the hestsink next to it.

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In the close-up shot it looks like there's brown crud around what appears to be a resistor package that is located under the corner of the heat sink and chip. It's a bit difficult to tell because it's out of focus. If that's one of the chipset components it's likely that cap goes to the DIMM slots due to the placement.

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Hello,

 

Do other capacitors on the motherboard exhibit the same "popped straight up from the motherboard" effect?  It's possible the seal at the bottom of the can might have ruptured.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

Edited by goretsky
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I should have annotated the image. I have attempted to do so in this post.

 

attachicon.gifPotential Leak.png

 

I saw the leak. that has to be a serious issue because that liquid could cross circuits and MAYBE!?!, short circuit or permanently destroy the board.

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I can't tell. The one in focus seems to be all right.

 

I'd like to see a top to bottom view of the area and the reverse side of the circuit.

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