Cleaning Volvo Penta D4 heat exchanger

[volvopaul]

The problem with the D4 is that there isn't much room between the back of the oil cooler and the HP pump, so its very cramped, also the end cap on the oil cooler is held on by a mixture of bolts and pin bolts with nuts which don't give you enough room to pull the oil cooler housing off the back off the heat exchanger. Its a while since I last did a D4 and I ended up taking the whole oil filter table off which then gives more room to work. That requires quite a few assorted O rings in itself. Maybe Volvopaul knows of a short cut but its definitely easier on a D6 as its a longer block so more room between oil cooler and other engine components.

Hi there is no shortcuts on the D4 as there is no room to extract the Allen head bolts there about 8 inches long . Remove the whole assembly and do it properly as a good engineer would.

 

[spannerman]

That's good to know my memory served me correctly, as it was 4 yrs since I did a D4 and remember everything had to come out, have managed to dismantle D6 coolers in situ.

 

[kennyh]

Thanks Volvopaul,

So do I drain oil and coolant, remove the whole assembly and then dismantle and clean from there (and then re-assemble and refit).

There appears to be a myriad of seals and the service note I've got says I need to pressure test (with specialist tools).

So is cleaning the exchanger/cooler a realistic project for a non-professional (although reasonably skilled with tools/engines)?

 

[volvopaul]

Thanks Volvopaul,

So do I drain oil and coolant, remove the whole assembly and then dismantle and clean from there (and then re-assemble and refit).

Yes as long as you get the o rings in the correct place and the ones where it mates up to the engine block.
No need to drain oil just coolant.

There appears to be a myriad of seals and the service note I've got says I need to pressure test (with specialist tools).

So is cleaning the exchanger/cooler a realistic project for a non-professional (although reasonably skilled with tools/engines)?

 

[tom52]

Paul
I am on the edge of my seat here ! Was that last answer a yes, no, or maybe ?

 

[volvopaul]

Paul
I am on the edge of my seat here ! Was that last answer a yes, no, or maybe ?

Yes as long as you grab the assembly built correct and o rings in the right place .

 

[tom52]

Thanks Paul ��

 

[zimski1]

Hello to all! Reading about cleaning D4 heat exchanger, have the same problem or worse, have noticed I have salt water where sweet water should be So I have dismantled everything, broken housing of heath exchanger... Can someone tell me what is one hole on front of the pipes? there are like 50 tubes from front to end but one hole is linkage between salt and sweet water?! its on the middle. Is something mising there? cap? someone Tnx for help!