Alphacool Eisfluegel Aurora flow indicator stuck?

[Makkan]

Hello

Just finished assembling a new Alphacool loop in a previously air cooled case.
All parts are new, Eisbecher Aurora 150mm VPP Apex D5 pump and a Eisfuegel aurora flow indicator, new blocks, only tec protect 2 clear fluid in the system etc.
The first 24hours the flow indicator was spinning fine and then it suddenly stopped.
I can't find/see any air bubbles, I've squeezed the tubing to move any possible air bubbles, I've opened side ports on radiators and on the pump tank and tried running with max water in the reservoir and with slightly lower volume in the reservoir. I've ran the pump at max and minimum speed and I've laid the computer down on left side, right side and even leaning it back and forth without letting the pump run dry while the pump was running in hope of releasing air pockets but no luck. It looks like the loop is 100% filled with water every time. The system is also cooling just fine, 52c max load on the rtx5090 during extended stress test so there is proper flow in the system even though the indicator is standing still.

-Is there any common trick or fix to the flow indicator before i disassemble the loop to investigate what is wrong with it?

Picture of the system from when filling it up and the indicator was spinning.

 

[Eddy]

I am afraid there is not much you can do except replace the flow indicator.
At best, you can try setting the pump to maximum speed and hope that the indicator starts spinning again. After that, you can turn the pump back down.
Either the axle has somehow become jammed, or something has gotten between the axle and the impeller that sits on it. Either way, there is not much you can do other than replace the part.

 

[Makkan]

Ok, thanks for the reply.

I did try "tapping" on it quite intensely with the back end/the plastic handle of a screwdriver which actually made it start spinning, but it only runs for 15 minutes or so before it stops again. So most likely the impeller/plastic wheel does have some play laterally and tapping on the outside of the indicator makes the impeller/plastic wheel get unstuck from one side and run "in the middle" for a while until it starts touching either the inside/outside wall and that friction causes it to stop again. So indeed the solution is to replace it since the pumpflow of the D5 Apex should be adequate and the positioning of the flow indicator would not make a difference.

 

[Eddy]

Your explanation sounds plausible and also matches your observations.
It is annoying to have to open the loop again, but unfortunately there will be no other way. I am sorry about that. I know how frustrating something like this can be.