Cleaning freshwater side of Heat Exchanger

[robertager1962]

Hi all I wonder if someone may be able to help with some advice please.

I have a Bukh DV36 with a Martec Heat Exchanger. I am noticing that the temperature gauge is starting to creep up a little higher than I would normally expect. This could be for a number of reasons which I will gradually investigate system by system.

My motto is to always start with the simple things first so I am going to change the anti-freeze and replace with a summer coolent but would like to ensure the heat exchanger is clean prior to doing this. Can anyone recommend any products that work without being too aggressive. I had thought of using a kettle descaler.

I have trawled the net but most of the products seem to be for raw water cooled boats.

I am in Northern Spain currently but will be heading south as soon as I can,

 

[VicS]

I'd try a car cooling system cleaner such as Holts Speedflush but I've no idea how effective it will be

Isn't the seawater side of the HE more likely to need cleaning

Other more obvious things include the pump impeller and the injection point into the exhaust

 

[robertager1962]

Thanks Vic.

After sleeping on it, I have decided all change this morning!

No point in poncing about on this one and I have decided to open up the heat exchanger and have a look at what I am dealing with.

I always flush the raw water system after every trip (I have set up an automatic freshwater flush system) so hopefully it should be reasonably clean, but I shall see.


Rob