Heat Exchanger Cleaning

[Divemaster1]

Anything that can be done to get rid of the Salt Deposits without removing the unit?

Thing is that the unit is a bit of a pain to remove (weigt wise), and as I have plenty of access on both sides, I can easily fill the unit up with something and flush through in situ, rather than removing...

Or should I bite the bullet and remove the lot and have it professionally cleaned? (Intercooler, Oil Cooler, and Exchanger)

 

[ians]

Alf
I cleaned my system in place with the below Rydlyme solution and it seamed to work ok,
Set up a system which circulated the solution for 4 hours on each engine.

Have a look at web site

ian



web page

 

[Divemaster1]

Thanks !!

Presume you did not use the raw water pump for circulation, but set up circulation pump after this and up to exhaust elbow?

 

[ians]

Alf
Yes as you say, used a bucket with bilge pump, circulated round after the water pump, back from a pipe connected to the exhaust elbow, pipe into a filter before going back into the bucket, then sat and put a afternoon film on for 4 hours !

Ian

 

[mainshiptom]

I might have to do the same thing! how much is this stuff? or can (should) use lime scale remover?

Tom

 

[ians]

Tom

I came across the rydlyme as a few people had recommended it on the boatdiesel forum,
I think it was something like £40 for a gallon, was not cheap.

There was alot of chat about all sorts of stuff that will do the same job, like brick cleaner and several other things you could mix together, I thought I would be safe and stick to this stuff.



Regards

ian

 

[mainshiptom]

Ian

Where do you buy it?mail order or swindlery?

Tom

 

[ians]

Tom

Right, I bought it from Motortech Marine
www.motortechmarine.co.uk

paid 34.00 + vat for 5 litres

Hope this helps

Regards

Ian

 

[longjohnsilver]

Ridlyme works, I've used it and it's not expensive.

Recommended.

 

[volvopaul]

Yes its works really well but on old heat exchangers it causes leaks at the weak points so beware.

 

[mainshiptom]

Paul

how can you find out if they leek? what are the signs?

Tom

 

[Divemaster1]

Loss of raw cooling water quickly leads to salt deposits at leak points... Raw water system is relatively simple to follow through..

 

[mainshiptom]

I have lost you ? does the heat exchnger not sit inside the fresh water,oil or air intake system in order to cool it down?

Tom

ps I have pressure in one engine fresh water system is it possible that salt water is leaking into the fresh water?

If I disconnect the belt for the sea water pump and test ? that would prove it?

Tom

 

[Divemaster1]

Two separate things!!! I have cleaned the fresh water side ... ca a 40 min run with cleaning agent in place of cooling liquid circulated that around (will get part no from Finning for some excellent stuff).. drain, flush & repeat.... refill with new stuff.

De-scaling is needed on the salt water side for the exchanger, intercooler etc. Salt water cools down the fresh water in the exchanger and it is the salt deposits in this I want to get rid of to improve effectiveness of the salt water sde of the cooling system.

Would not think you would have a leak between salt & fresh water. The fresh water side will be slightly pressurised by the heat buildup (hence expansion tanks). If you have excessive buildup of pressure here it may be something very different.