Heat exchanger help

[englishrobs]

Looking for someone with more nous and better tools and strategy than me to get a heat exchanger out of a beta bd722. Front cap no problem. Rear I cannot shift in spite of a number of approaches. Any recommendations for engineer who can sort this,Ipswich area

 

[PetiteFleur]

Speak to Beta marine - that are usually very helpful. Does yours have a central bolt each end or 3 bolts?

 

[Bodach na mara]

Both end caps of my Beta 30 are a PITA to remove due to difficulty of access. The front one requires the removal of the alternator and the rear one needs removal of the exhaust riser. Only then can you get an Allen key into the sockets of the bolts. Your troubles are not over after the caps are off. The tube stack of mine was jammed in and required some delicate work with a wooden block as a drift and a mallet. Before reassembly, a little straightening of the brass plates that hold the tubes in place a filing to remove high spots on the plates was needed.

Good luck!

 

[Habebty]

I have a BD722 20hp with the single bolt at each end. Make sure you remove the water hose at the far end first as it makes reassembly easier. Remove the alternator end cap first ( after sliding over the alternator) then very gently tap the far end cap in a rotational direction to break any limescale seal. Then remove the far cap and withdraw the tube matrix. Bung the whole lot in some brick cleaner and enjoy watching the limescale fizz away for a few minutes, rinse in clean water. Refit with new O rings ensuring the caps are situated correctly in the heat exchanger grooves. Do not over tighten the cap bolts as they should be bronze (m6 I think?) Lindsey Rufford is your man at Marine Power Woolverstone if it all goes tits. Be aware the limescale can form into sharp edges so look out.

 

[englishrobs]

I have a BD722 20hp with the single bolt at each end. Make sure you remove the water hose at the far end first as it makes reassembly easier. Remove the alternator end cap first ( after sliding over the alternator) then very gently tap the far end cap in a rotational direction to break any limescale seal. Then remove the far cap and withdraw the tube matrix. Bung the whole lot in some brick cleaner and enjoy watching the limescale fizz away for a few minutes, rinse in clean water. Refit with new O rings ensuring the caps are situated correctly in the heat exchanger grooves. Do not over tighten the cap bolts as they should be bronze (m6 I think?) Lindsey Rufford is your man at Marine Power Woolverstone if it all goes tits. Be aware the limescale can form into sharp edges so look out.

Thanks, gave me a laugh too!

 

[Poecheng]

The bronze bolts have a service life and are not that expensive from Beta.

 

[PetiteFleur]

One of my cental bronze bolts broke when I started the engine after lift in - fortunately I had the lid open and immediately stopped the engine. Beta recommend replacing the bolts after 10 years.