How do I clean a sticky dirty heat exchanger on the coolant fresh water side?

Discussion in 'Powerboats' started by sdowney717, Jul 14, 2025.

  1. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,525
    Likes: 464, Points: 83
    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member

    I hope you don't discover why stop leaking was used.
     
    philSweet, sdowney717 and kapnD like this.
  2. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,600
    Likes: 118, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    Who knows but it is not leaking out any gasoline yet.

    When it is clean, I will pressurize it with the hose, which out city pressure is maybe 60 psi. and that is kinda high seeing the radiator cap is 7, I will figure out something.
    Well the cap will release the excess pressure.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2025
  3. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 8,779
    Likes: 2,038, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Boat Builder

    Copper oxide is a weak base, and vinegar a mild acid, so the vinegar might be acting on the oxide layer and carry away
    you aren’t gonna close it up and pressurize to 60 psi, the flush is open, so the pressure is not much unless your relief is tiny
     
    sdowney717 likes this.
  4. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,600
    Likes: 118, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    yeah, its a 1/4" copper tube coming off the rad cap.
    I figure it will blow off the excess pressure so as not to explode the heat exchanger.

    The gasoline is working well.
     
  5. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,600
    Likes: 118, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    Today, dumped the gas and spray rinsed with hose, then refilled with the vinegar.
    The tubes look pretty clean what I can see of them. The upper chamber has a super soft slimy feel of this stuff when putting fingers in filler and feeling around the very top inside of upper chamber.

    Will post pics tomorrow
     
  6. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,600
    Likes: 118, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    Very clean now. Final vinegar soak and spray out, feels clean inside.

    upload_2025-7-18_18-40-54.png

    The 1/8" drain port, tube is clean, this is in middle bottom of the unit

    upload_2025-7-18_18-42-45.png
     
  7. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,600
    Likes: 118, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    Here they are fixed, and painted with blue Rustoleum
    upload_2025-7-21_8-59-40.png
     

  • Loading...
    Similar Threads
    1. SWIFTWATER KID
      Replies:
      6
      Views:
      3,521
    Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
    When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.