[Russf]

I am seriously considering using this to clean out the raw water part of my 6.0L Crusader engines. I have done a lot of research but have not yet definitively determined whether the raw water impeller will be damaged. If it has to be removed then there must be another way to pump the mixture through the system.

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

[trit21]

Barnacle Buster is just phosphoric acid, you can check the MSDS and the active chemical is phosphoric acid. Impellers should not be damaged by the acid especially phosphoric as it is a fairly weak acid. Phosphoric acid is what is used as a rust converter or rust remover. Typically the raw water pump is not used to circulate the cleaning agent through then engine. Another pump is used and a closed loop is created to recirculate the cleaning agent around the engine. The impeller is removed if you connected at the seacock side of the impeller housing. 

[Russf]

Barnacle Buster is just phosphoric acid, you can check the MSDS and the active chemical is phosphoric acid. Impellers should not be damaged by the acid especially phosphoric as it is a fairly weak acid. Phosphoric acid is what is used as a rust converter or rust remover. Typically the raw water pump is not used to circulate the cleaning agent through then engine. Another pump is used and a closed loop is created to recirculate the cleaning agent around the engine. The impeller is removed if you connected at the seacock side of the impeller housing. 

Thanks Tom. In a 6.0L Crusader the raw water impeller does circulate raw water through the heat exchanger oil and emission coolers, and the risers. That is why I was concerned about the impeller.

[trit21]

I understand but the impeller would need to be removed as it will block the flow of cleaning agent. 

[Russf]

I understand but the impeller would need to be removed as it will block the flow of cleaning agent. 

Tom. As i understand it the impeller is what circulates the fluid. You use the raw water system with the raw water intake valve closed to suck in the BB solution until it runs out the exhaust at which point you turn the engine off and then let the solution sit in the system while it does its work for about six hours. Then with the raw water intake valve opened you start the engine and then the incoming raw water pushes out the BB solution with the material that it has dissolved.

[trit21]

That is not the most effective way of cleaning as there will many spots I would think that are not sitting in the cleaning solution. The best way is to create a closed loop system and circulate the cleaning agent for 2-3 hours then flush. 

[johnhesch]

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Russ:  I use this pump setup from home depot.  Basically plumb in at exhaust hose, then from back of Impeller housing, then back to a large storage tote.  The pump is put into the tote along with 5 gallons of BB.  I like to circulate it backwards from normal seawater flow so anything lodged goes upward and back to bottom of tote.  Had to buy some large hose barbs\ couplers\ clamps.  Barn bust is some nasty stuff, wear good eye protection.

The tote makes a nice place to store everything for next use too.

John

[Russf]

Thanks Guys. All good suggestions/information. Will let you know how it goes.

[RMS]

I have done this a couple times.  I bought a small bilge pump (360GPH?) and submerged the pump in a 5 gallon bucket filled with 2 gallons of RidLyme which is similar to BB.  Hose from pump outlet went to the tranny/oil cooler inlet after removing hose from engine raw water pump to oil cooler.  I also removed the HX outlet hose and installed a temporary hose from the HX output to the bucket.  Let it run a couple hours.  This also works well on the air conditioners.
Bob

[trit21]

Same basic set up I use except I use my old 800GPH pumps from my shower sump. I replace my shower sump once a year and the old pump goes to duty as acid flush. Works really well.