MSI MAG Coreliquid 360R FAILURE

[michael.cogbur151f02cc]

My 360R MAG cooler failed last week. Everyone experiencing irregular temperatures should look directly into the cooler if no other settings have been changed on your systems. High idle temps was my first red flag paired with hearing unusual pump noise that hasn’t always been present. My AIO reached extreme temperatures to where the CPU would shut down when hitting 100* C. At the time, I was unaware that these coolers had a recall for certain batches. My cooler, even though it was purchased new from MicroCenter, in December 2021, doesn’t fall into the batch that MSI deems bad. So I don’t get to be a part of the exchange program. If I wanted a new cooler, I would have to PAY to ship mine in, wait 10-30 days for them take action, and then they would send a new version back. What rubs me the wrong way about that is the fact I have to pay anything out of pocket for THEIR PRODUCT failing especially when this is a very known failure that MANY are experiencing. The action I’m taking is to purchase a cooler from another company. Hopefully others do the same. My MSI motherboard works perfect, the cooler however, as a product whole is JUNK.

 

[keith3_16]

I did an RMA on my 240R, didn't have to pay anything. I guess this has to do with where you live I guess? I got mine back in 2 weeks, and had to go to a different country as well. So spent most of its time in customs.

 

[michael.cogbur151f02cc]

I did an RMA on my 240R, didn't have to pay anything. I guess this has to do with where you live I guess? I got mine back in 2 weeks, and had to go to a different country as well. So spent most of its time in customs.

I’m in the US. When I said pay, I’m referring to shipping cost, which should be covered IMO. They send a pre paid label with a new unit to users with S/N’s that fall in their “bad batch.” How do they know that other units outside of their parameters aren’t bad? Clearly, based on my experience, there is a definite issue that they are saying shouldn’t be. The situation isn’t even about the money, $150 isn’t going to break me, but more so on principal. I buy this cooler at retail, doesn’t work as intended, I lose money and time to send it in for repair/replacement, etc. A faulty product shouldn’t cost the consumer anything if it’s inside of their limited warranty time frames. I don’t care if it’s only $1.

 

[keith3_16]

I live in the UK, my cooler had to go to Poland, I didn't have to pay anything for shipping, as soon as I had the RMA confirmation, I got sent a link to get the item picked up by DHL, and all I had to do was pack it in the retail package and cover the box fix the label, I paid nothing, MSI covered everything. I guess in the USA things are different.

 

[michael.cogbur151f02cc]

I live in the UK, my cooler had to go to Poland, I didn't have to pay anything for shipping, as soon as I had the RMA confirmation, I got sent a link to get the item picked up by DHL, and all I had to do was pack it in the retail package and cover the box fix the label, I paid nothing, MSI covered everything. I guess in the USA things are different.

Must be

 

[gbaeten537115cc02f0]

Something is not right...

You shouldn't have to pay (anything) to get a defective AIO fixed under warranty.

 

[keith3_16]

Something is not right...

You shouldn't have to pay (anything) to get a defective AIO fixed under warranty.

He had to pay shipping, a lot of companies do that. Its a way to get people not to claim on the warranty. Also if his had been in the recall, he probably wouldn't have had to.

 

[gbaeten537115cc02f0]

He had to pay shipping, a lot of companies do that. Its a way to get people not to claim on the warranty. Also if his had been in the recall, he probably wouldn't have had to.

I am not sure how the computer market works - but I have never had to pay anything to have a defective item fixed under warranty.

 

[michael.cogbur151f02cc]

I am not sure how the computer market works - but I have never had to pay anything to have a defective item fixed under warranty.

I agree, anything that falls under warranty, especially with a product that has a massive recall, no consumer should have to pay anything. MSI obviously thinks differently. They seem to just hope you go away, buy a new one, fix it yourself, or pay.

 

[Alan J T]

In Australian and I have never paid for shipping on a warranty Claim, or on a Amazon Return , Have had Retailers just go OK and send out a new unit with request to destroy the previous item once photo proof of damage or fault is supplied.

 

[magdalina.miha15a102de]

I live in the UK, my cooler had to go to Poland, I didn't have to pay anything for shipping, as soon as I had the RMA confirmation, I got sent a link to get the item picked up by DHL, and all I had to do was pack it in the retail package and cover the box fix the label, I paid nothing, MSI covered everything. I guess in the USA things are different.

You give me hope, i live in NL and i hope is the same process in Europe. My AIO started failing in the past weeks, but only noticed it today. At idle i have 70C and while starting the game i immediately reach 90C and then thermal throttle.
I just filled in my RMA on the website from where the AIO was bought and contemplating my option if i should wait for a reply or just buy a 10-20 Euro air cooler until this one gets fixed

 

[michael.cogbur151f02cc]

Update: For anyone that is still experiencing overheating issues and are unable or unwilling to send their AIO back to MSI for repair or exchange. You can fix it yourself for roughly $20 US dollars if you have the technical ability and means to do so. The job does not require any specialty tools. Normal hand tools, and time. After disassembly of the cooler, copper plate, pump, bleeder screw, you can flush the unit with warm water. Drain water or blow out with air nozzle. Will require multiple flushes depending on how clogged the cooler is. Reinstall the pump housing, leave bleeder screw loose and begin filling at the hot plate ports. This will take patience as air will need to work it’s way out of the system. Bubbles will form at the bleeder screw on the reservoir indicating air is evacuating the system. Once the bubbles are no longer showing at the bleeder; the reservoir side is filled and now the hose side and hot plate is all the remains to be filled. You will have to move the reservoir around to get air trapped in the hose side to exit the highest point (hot plate ports). After the air is bleed from the system, simply reinstall the hot plate and gasket. Be sure to clean any coolant outside the gasket area as the hot plate will trap it but will not be contained, it will drip out. After reinstall, idle temps are 32* and under load is 58* max from what I’ve seen. I’ve added pictures of what coolant I used and fill bottle. Good luck.

 

[darkhawk]

I'll be honest, I've usually had to pay for shipping an item back for warranty service. Even if it was defective and a known problem. It sucks, but it is what it is.

That being said.....there's a reason I've personally stayed away from MSI's coolers.....Not so much that I've known they're bad, but getting one isn't easy where I live in the US, and honestly, by the time I could, I had already started seeing enough posts about them that I'll stick with more tried and true manufacturers.

Now, I like your overall solution. It sucks that you basically had to fix it yourself, but if I'm honest, I'd almost prefer to do that at this point, since at least you'll know it's fixed right. Bravo on your part, and I'm glad you were able to get it working again.

 

[michael.cogbur151f02cc]

I appreciate it. It was one of those things where you can guarantee it will be correct doing it yourself. Any future AIO or water cooling items with be from other brands that are more established in that arena. I was tempted to walk into MicroCenter and buy another cooler but there really was no need being I had already spent the money on the MSI unit. It almost gave me an excuse to do a custom water loop but that was going to be expensive and didn’t have the case for it. I hope others who are in a dilemma on what course of action to take, consider fixing it themselves.

 

[Alan J T]

Bottle of CLR and a flush would fix most of them, Then just refill with ready mix Anti Freeze anti Corrosion.

Some of the Videos I have looked at seem to show once cleaned they run well again.

And it is not just a MSI Problem but a industry one several Manufactures have had the problem.

Add not sure who is responsible for the Shipping cost as it seems to be different in each region or each each State. Guess it all depend on what your local Consumer protection laws are weather MSI have to Coff up or you do for Shipping, and for all I know they may not be able to supply you with free shipping due to local laws and such.

Check you local Consumer laws and see and if you or MSI or the Retailer are responsible for shipping, and if it say Retailer or Manufacturer then push the issue and inform them they legally obliged to supply you with a Shipping ticket.