Water Passages Clogged

[CaptGum]

I have a Volvo Penta MD2002 diesel engine. My water passages under the exhaust elbow are packed tight with salt crystals, sand etc. I have tried flushes. Dripped some acid on them to break them loose to no avail. I hate the idea of taking off the head to clear them so I'm looking for ideas from my fellow experts. Can they drilled straight down??

CaptGum

[JimsCAL]

If back-flushing with something like oxalic acid doesn't work, I suspect you are going to have to take it apart.

[CaptGum]

Thanks for your note! I can't break it loose with anything and I really don't want to pump muiratic acid through the system.

CaptGum

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by CaptGum

I have a Volvo Penta MD2002 diesel engine. My water passages under the exhaust elbow are packed tight with salt crystals, sand etc. I have tried flushes. Dripped some acid on them to break them loose to no avail. I hate the idea of taking off the head to clear them so I'm looking for ideas from my fellow experts. Can they drilled straight down??

CaptGum

Try flushing with a mixture of fresh water and a product named "Saltaway". I have found it very effective for removing and preventing salt build-up. We use it on our out-board and in a very dilute solution in our heads every tme they are used and it has proven very effective.

FWIW...

[klem]

Another product that works well for this sort of thing is Rhydlyme. They now make a special marine version but I don't know what the difference is.

[Cptken]

might want to ask the question here

Ask a boat mechanic

[Capt Len]

Salt water will build up a crystal deposit after 140 degrees F. I think you have to run the engine cooler or put in a heat exchanger and raw water pump. None of this helps you with your deposit problem and ' boiling' at an engine shop will .Not cheap and not easy.

[RichH]

Use a commercial 'boiler de-scaler' such as RydLyme® ... essentially buffered organic acid that wont attack the engines base metal. Apex - RYDLYME Marine is a safe, biodegradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive marine descaler. RYDLYME Marine is designed to dissolve the toughest water scale, lime deposits and rust deposits.

Carbonates precipitate out of salt water at ~155 deg. F. Its impossible to keep an exhaust elbow or raw water cooled exhaust manifold at below this temp. .... so youre going to have to 'de-scale' often.