salt crystals in the cooling system

[Talbot]

This is a big problem for saltwater cooled engines - particularly small outboards which have small water passageways.

In the past I used to pull the engine apart every so often and physically scrape out the salt. My new (to me) outboard has just cost an arm and a leg during a service due to this.

Does anyone use any chemical cleaner run through the engine to remove these crystals and does it work.
(Perhaps central heating pipe cleaning fluid?)

 

[VicS]

There is a product called "Salt-away". Not seen it in the uk but probably available from e-bay.

Salt is soluble in water though.

Regular flushing with fresh water should be all that is required.

 

[NickRobinson]

Hi-
Is the white stuff inside engine passages really ordinary salt (NaCl)?

If salt is present in a less than saturated solution, it dissolves.

My guess (non technical, non Google etc....) is that the salts are non soluble compounds of aluminium?

Continuing controversy- carbonned exhaust elbows.. Can anything other than cherry red heat or mechanical methods 'dissolve' carbon?

Sublime question

Nick

 

[BlueChip]

Continuing controversy- carbonned exhaust elbows.. Can anything other than cherry red heat or mechanical methods 'dissolve' carbon?

Sublime question

Nick

Caustic soda will remove it, will take a few days soaking.
My father used to strip the oven at home before we went on holiday, he'd put all the shelves and panels in the dustbin and soak them in caustic soda solution while we were away.
Two weeks later when we got home a quick rinse and they were like new.

 

[NickRobinson]

oops.. thread hijack...

Caustic soda will remove it, will take a few days soaking.
My father used to strip the oven at home before we went on holiday, he'd put all the shelves and panels in the dustbin and soak them in caustic soda solution while we were away.
Two weeks later when we got home a quick rinse and they were like new.

I'm a fan of caustic too. However, carbon in its native form is pretty inert unless burnt.
Sodium hydroxide and all the other cures seem to work on the oil based tars from incomplete combustion but won't touch 'C'. I think which is why oven grills come up gleaming.

Hmm.. lumpwood charcoal and NaOH crystals in garage.. can I dissolve one with the other?

Apols to original poster- will start fresh thread if more comes in!

N