Blocked Manifold

[Seah0rse]

Hi all
I have a 50 year old Ford Tractor engine marinized by Parsons.
The Manifold seems to be clogged and I wonder if a dose of kettle descailer would do the job. I can't undo some of the bolts as they tend to shear off. I am attempting a photo and if you can see water comming out it is from the bolt hole not the outlet!
Thanks.

 

[VicS]

Hi all
I have a 50 year old Ford Tractor engine marinized by Parsons.
The Manifold seems to be clogged and I wonder if a dose of kettle descailer would do the job. I can't undo some of the bolts as they tend to shear off. I am attempting a photo and if you can see water comming out it is from the bolt hole not the outlet!
Thanks.

Yes worth a try. Some kettle descalers are only relativley weak acids.

A sulphamic acid based descaler such as Fernox DS3 ( used for central heating boilers) would perhaps be a good choice

A hydrochloric acid based brick and masonry cleaner would be even quicker but more likely to cause damage.

 

[2Tizwoz]

As VicS has said Fernox is the most appropriate descaling acid.

You may not have the facility but welding a piece of steel to the studs rather than trying to undo them cold heats up the stud well and gives something to turn them with. I've found that method very successful.

You do then need to renew the studs but as its 50 years old a thorough inspection seems appropriate.

 

[Seah0rse]

Cirilo Desincrustante

Thank you both for your posts.
We are in Portugal now and bought some of the above from a hardware shop for € 2.50. Tried it on the Kettle first. Don't know what's in it but it worked a treat on the manifold which is now unblocked and we are mobile again. No ship should set to sea without it!
Thanks again.