acid dipping heat exchangers and after coolers

[Squidnation]

I have never had this done but it was recommended by my mechanic and a good friend that it should be done every couple of years. Any info on this process would be appreciated

[Shortfin]

Yes have it done and NO do not try it at home

[Questsportfishing]

on the engine maintenece sheet... also does not tell you of the cost involved on doing inner coolers... actually it's almost a yearly thing... small diesels need cooling!

[Satans_Chariot]

Bill, coolers/chillers/exchangers out here will actually shut equipment down.

If I can sit here and over the course of 10 min, watch the discharge temp on one of my thrusters rise 3 degrees with out the thermostat opening, I am making sure that the chiller is getting cleaned at the very least. Our gear gets cleaned every 30 days on the upper end, and more as needed.

[CaptD]

not sure what motors you have but the acid clean is only needed when the crud sets in... checked mine today..coincedentally... and they were perfect except for a piece of Zinc and some seaweed in there... The transmission coolers seem to take more abuse for some reason and will shut you down... I am only at 300 hrs on my cats but i do not think it is just the hours it is the water you run in the zinc maintenance and other factors.. I was just checking the heat exchangers to see how they were... i am probably a few years from acid dip.. now your aftercoolers will require some research... I just replaced one of mine because i could not get it clean enough..cat now recomends ultrasound for these.. One thing I learned is that I am better than most mechanics i have hired at maintenance. and the hardest part is getting to the part that requires checking.. i would not just acid dip because someone suggested this.. look at them yourself.. the acid dip does deteriorate the metal just like improper Zinc maintenance.. Good luck...

[craigwill201]

Bill read this article.http://boatdiesel.com/Articles/Artic...ler.cfm&Y=2005
Craig

[seapower]

I don't. Can't begin to tell you the number of guy's that acid dip their cooler's, only to end up causing themselve's serious expensive problem's. I know if "I dip it in muratic acid and then dip it in baking soda, it'll neutralize the acid", take it for what it's worth, the acid keep's on working. The failure is generally not immediate, but just like "ragu" it's in there. I take all my cooler's whether they be aftercooler's, heat exchanger's, transmission oil cooler's, engine oil cooler's to one shop that does all my work. They do not use acid. One other word to the wise, after cleaning your cooler's pressure test them (with nitrogen if available). Corrosion and scale can seal up a potential leak, after doing your cleaning you have exposed the crank or hole, allowing a leak. Frank

[Banshee]

Bill I do not know what you have for power. but acid dipping an aftercooler bundle is a no no, brake cleaner and lots of it works fine as well as simple green. Heat exchanger I think a product called redline is what Edward uses and you can do it in the boat if need be.
JW

[homewrecker]

Originally Posted by Banshee

Bill I do not know what you have for power. but acid dipping an aftercooler bundle is a no no, brake cleaner and lots of it works fine as well as simple green. Heat exchanger I think a product called redline is what Edward uses and you can do it in the boat if need be.
JW

JW,I think you may be referring to Rid-Lyme.

Bill,go to Boatdiesel like was suggested,best 25 you will spend on your boat.