Flushing Scale

[MIKEMCKEE]

I've got a Perkins 4-108 and I was thinking about flushing it to remove the scale that has built up in it over the years. Does anyone have an idea of how to do it or have done it?

[Rockter]

There should not be much in the way of scale unless the motor is raw water cooled.
Is the motor raw water cooled?

[bsfree]

I did this to my Perkins 108 and used a chemical cleaner. However, unlike I did, if you use a chemical cleaner, and have a water heater plumbed to the the engine you should disconnect it and join the two ends together before flushing. Reason is the chemical fried my aluminum water heater and cost $200 to replace.
I only used the chemical once and then flushed 5-6 times until the water came out clear. I used distilled water as I believe it is better than tap water for the engine.
There was a product called Marsolve that cleans engine waterways and heat exchangers safely and effectively.
Lastly I filled with 50-50 antifreeze.
Hope this helps

[MIKEMCKEE]

Which way did you hook up the flushing system and how did you drain the fluid out after you were done, or did you just put it into the header tank and let it run through the engine?

[bsfree]

I ran the engine per whatever the chemical additive said, then drained it via the bottom most hose, in my case below starboard side of the heat exchanger. I also used a hose from the dock faucet to put water pressure through the system via the disconnected engine hose, both ways. That helped bring whatever loose scale out, then refilled with distilled water, ran the engine to hot, then drained again when cooled enough not to scold me.
Did this till the water ran clear, then filled with 50-50, and if you have a water heater leave one hose disconnected from the engine side and use a funnel to pour antifreeze into it till it overflows out. This helps purge air from the system, and remember to further bleed the system via the small bolt on the top of heat exchanger, the one in the middle. Of course the level must be checked again at the header after a run, and you can feel ok about the job if all the hoses feel hot to touch, cold ones tell you there's still air in the system.
All the best