Cleaning heat exchanger

[Don Crowther]

Hi
Does anyone have any tricks for pulling the heat exchanger apart?
I have both end caps off and have tried to push the core from the back to the front. It doesn't move .0001 of an inch.:cussing: I've used a soft blow hammer. The exchanger is still mounted to the engine and I'm hoping on leaving it there and just removing the core and replacing all the gaskets and o-rings.
Any suggestion would be great
Thanks
Don

 

[Steve Dion]

gun cleaning kit

 

[jtm]

Have you tried spritzing it up with PB Blaster to loosen things up???

 

[RJ9757]

Same problem

If it's any consolation, I had exactly the same problem several years back, while troubleshooting an overheating problem (which turned out to be a clogged mixing elbow, and not the heat exchanger).

Since I couldn't get the core out, I just ensured that there were no obstructions in the tubes (and a gun cleaning brush is a great idea, Steve) and then put it all back together, and it's running just fine all these years later.

Incidentally, I occasionally pour a gallon of distilled white vinegar into the sea water strainer while the engine is running at idle, and then shut down and let it soak for a day or so. I've been told that it helps to keep the heat exchanger from getting clogged up.

Good luck!

 

[Don Crowther]

Thanks RJ1

With the end caps off I'm able to see though the core and the tubes look fine. What I'm thinking is that the water on the engine side is somehow getting into the exshaust side.
Without being able to pull the core out I can't check and change the O-rings. It's looking like I will have to pull the heat exchanger off the engine and get it onto a work bench.

Don