How Do I Know if My Marine Heat Exchanger Needs Cleaning? #
A marine diesel heat exchanger allows engine coolant to transfer heat into the vessel’s raw-water system.
Over time, the seawater side of the heat exchanger can accumulate material that reduces both water flow and heat-transfer efficiency.
What Builds Up Inside a Marine Heat Exchanger? #
Common contaminants include:
- Salt deposits
- Mineral scale
- Marine growth
- Corrosion
- Zinc debris
- Broken impeller pieces
- Sediment and other debris
As the internal passages become restricted, the cooling system becomes less capable of removing heat.
Signs a Heat Exchanger May Need Service #
Possible symptoms include:
- Engine temperature gradually increasing
- Overheating at higher RPM
- Normal temperature at idle but overheating under load
- Reduced raw-water flow
- Long-overdue cooling-system maintenance
A heat exchanger can appear perfectly acceptable from the outside while being significantly restricted internally.
What Does Heat Exchanger Service Involve? #
Depending on the component and condition, service may involve:
- Removing end caps
- Inspecting internal passages
- Cleaning the tube bundle
- Removing scale or marine growth
- Replacing zincs
- Replacing seals
- Pressure testing
The complete raw-water circuit should also be considered because the heat exchanger is only one part of the system.
A restriction elsewhere can create similar symptoms.
All Tech Diesel provides comprehensive Marine Diesel Cooling System Service throughout Southwest Florida.
Is Your Engine Running Hot Under Load? #
A restricted heat exchanger may be only one possible cause.
We can evaluate the complete cooling system and determine where cooling performance is being lost.
