Class II reactor removal issues.

[hooligan4hire]

Hi everyone, I was just curious if anyone else is having issues with class II reactor removals? With or without a key I can get the thrusters and the hull clear of any path dangers but the moment I touch the cooling system things go sideways in a hurry. I cannot seem to find the pattern or process of removing the class II reactors effectively. Any tips or advice is appreciated. Love the game, have a good one.

[Summercat]

Originally posted by dpyro:

Just tried removing the ECU coolant thinking there'd be enough in the pipe for a minute or so, but also got an instant meltdown.

Are you guys cutting the coolant pipe first? The mechanics of this are so confusing where a long term coolant pipe leak isn't an issue but trying to disconnect the coolant nicely results in an instant meltdown. If we can't remove any cooling, then unless we can send the whole reactor + coolant pipe + ECU assembly into the barge together it's unsalvageable. If we can remove cooling (if only temporarily) then why are there no indications as to what is allowed and what isn't?

You can yank the reactor out without flushing the coolant.

What happens is the reactor has 5 health to start.
Remove the fuel? +5 health.
Remove the coolant? It's supposed to add another +5 health.

I've literally, before yesterday, never properly cleared the coolant pipes when salvaging class two reactors. Yanking the reactor out doesn't cause a coolant breach.

[Sir Prometeus]

Originally posted by dpyro:

Just tried removing the ECU coolant thinking there'd be enough in the pipe for a minute or so, but also got an instant meltdown.

Are you guys cutting the coolant pipe first? The mechanics of this are so confusing where a long term coolant pipe leak isn't an issue but trying to disconnect the coolant nicely results in an instant meltdown. If we can't remove any cooling, then unless we can send the whole reactor + coolant pipe + ECU assembly into the barge together it's unsalvageable. If we can remove cooling (if only temporarily) then why are there no indications as to what is allowed and what isn't?

I have done the same with other geckos, and now it always happens the bug. I think the Stargazer is bug-free, but not 100% sure

In theory, once you remove the coolant from the ECU, the meltdown will start, slowly destroying the reactor from 100% health to 0%. But there should be plenty of time if you already have made some space to take it out

[burnouttx]

I've had one suddenly explode on me when I processed the entire aft of the newest ship and just pulled the canisters out of the ECU. No countdown. Nothing. Just BOOM. Luckily the only thing it shredded was some coolant pipe and the catwalk connecting the front to the back.

[Talmar]

Originally posted by taeles:

just finally removed one successfully.

1, turned off purple pipe flow (key / console)
2, removed side panels around the reactor (careful removing these, they can damage coolant pipe)
3, removed the reactor cap (top) (careful removing this, they can damage coolant pipe)
4, pulled reactor from top once cap was clear
5, meltdown begins, moved reactor clear of ship and tethered it to barge

i did not turn off coolant or disconnect it or remove it. i did not disconnect anything from the bottom of the reactor housing

This is basically the way I do it as well. I pull off the side panels, and just grab it and put it on the barge, without turning anything off. Once it's out of the way, the rest is easy. Just don't forget what you are doing and pull the ECU before the reactor!! I did that on my last ship, and blew the whole thing to hell! Dumb mistake that cost me millions!

[Dante]

It's been added to the list of known issues: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1161580/discussions/0/2527030866874013626/
> General: Sometimes, Gecko reactors explode right after enter entering a meltdown state.

[Paladynian]

Folks who said they had success by doing everything except the coolant steps appear correct: I've now gotten several class 2 reactors out by simply doing everything except touching the ECU. Only clearing the fuel and the power, then getting the top reactor plate out so the reactor can be tethered out the top has been successful for me. Issue certainly appears to be triggered by shutting down the ECU setting the bottom reactor plate on fire. Thanks for the advice folks!

[grivus11k2]

From my experience you could salvage ECU or engines first. It makes no difference. But after you disable second system reactor starts shooting that electric arcs and BANG! I learned that in a hard way - whet this arc struck reactor plate my shipbreaker got vaporised. This electric arcs occurs after 5-7 seconds after meltdown REGARDLESS reactor integrity. My solution is salvage all valuable but ECU or engines. Then remove protecting casing around reactor and yank it to barge with tethers.

[DeShadowfyre]

I'm actually avoiding Class II Reactor ships until this 'Insta-boom' bug is resolved. Going to miss dealing with them in the meantime.

[larry_walsh]

In my experience, the reactor system is fine as long as you don't interrupt coolant flow. use the key, cut the fuel pipe, strip away the rest of the ship, then remove the reactor. I haven't had one blow up in quite a while now.

[taeles]

Originally posted by larry_walsh:

In my experience, the reactor system is fine as long as you don't interrupt coolant flow. use the key, cut the fuel pipe, strip away the rest of the ship, then remove the reactor. I haven't had one blow up in quite a while now.

Originally posted by DeShadowfyre:

I'm actually avoiding Class II Reactor ships until this 'Insta-boom' bug is resolved. Going to miss dealing with them in the meantime.

DeShadowfyre there is no need to avoid the bigger ships, I use Larry’s method and pull the reactor out the top of its housing. No booms, most of the successful approaches in this thread is the “leave the coolant system alone” method

[Catastrophy]

It's a bug. Nasty one and I don't really want to play right now. On the other hand my runs have become mostly uneventful and seeing the whole thing blow up doesn't get old - but it should really be fixed before they go on vacation.

[Sir Prometeus]

My guess is this bug is related to another one. When I separate the external hull of the ship's rear, and then remove the fuel tanks. Sometimes they fly at great speed the moment they are dislodged. I think the reactor may be colliding with another item, it only explodes if you give it a health bar by cutting the coolant first. If you remove it from the top, it can have some space from the nearest objects

[larry_walsh]

This issue is caused by the centers of gravity of these objects getting shifted weirdly whenever the ship gets nudged by something.
The solution is to go through the ship and pop off all the fuel tanks, coolant, and computers BEFORE you start cutting up the ship.

[Summercat]

Originally posted by larry_walsh:

This issue is caused by the centers of gravity of these objects getting shifted weirdly whenever the ship gets nudged by something.
The solution is to go through the ship and pop off all the fuel tanks, coolant, and computers BEFORE you start cutting up the ship.

Haven't had that be a thing.

Honestly, the solution is super simple: DONT PULL THE COOLANT UNTIL AFTER THE REACTOR.

[larry_walsh]

Yeah, sorry - I didn't mean the reactor coolant, definitely leave those til last - I meant the big coolant tanks.