eof.myfreeforum.org

Slipf18 · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject: Flushing Engine Coolant

Greetings from the hot, humid state of Florida. I'd like to flush out the cooling system on the Perkins 4-108 in our E-37 "Obsession". At the same time, I'd also like to open up the fresh water heat exchanger and take a close look at tube passages in the stack. I've got a feeling these things will need to be reamed out with a wooden dowel, or cooked in some kind of cleaning agent. Sad

It'll be the first time I've had to thoroughly examine the cooling system. Has anyone had experience with this procedure? Any tips? Advice on tools, parts or necessary chemicals? Cautions? Encouragement? Horror stories? Thank ya'll in advance! By the way, for the life of me, I can't tell whether there is ANY sacrificial zinc located either on this engine or as part of the cooling circuit ... am I just blind? yes? no? Shocked

ssteakley · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Austin, TX

I recently read in Practicle sailor that a good way to clean heat exchangers etc is to pull them off and take them to a radiator shop and have them dip them in there radiator cleaning devices...they just reccomended to be sure and flush it with fresh water afterwards to clean out any chemicals....
_________________
Steve & Lynn Steakley
87' E42 "Wand'rin Star" #205
Corpus Christi, TX

tim@compasssecurities.com · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Quincy MA

I opened mine while trouble shooting an overheating problem and found the excanger to be in perfect condition. But the tubes are pretty small and I did poke thru with the bamboo sticks that I sue to skewer BBQ food.
_________________
Timothy F. Shanahan
617-435-3966

kindred spirit · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 15 Location: florida niceville

yEs there is a zinc inside. It's the pencil type. I bought the replacement from westmarine and had to cut off about an inch in length. If yyours is like mine the pncil zinc is located on the back. From outside it looks like a bolt head. Best take the thing to a radiator shop and have them mess with it. If it's really nasty. Mine wasn't so I just cleaned it in salt away and then blasted it with compressed air.

_________________
Kindred Spirit A 37