(Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

[Mr. Demeanor]

This test was to see the effectiveness of using vinegar to remove salt and scale deposits from a marine engine.

I know there are effective salt removing products available. I chose vinegar for this test.

The test subject is a salt water used 1994 Yamaha 130 V4 with unknown history of maintenance until about 18 months ago. At that time I purchased the engine and have used it about 80% in salt and flushed thoroughly after every use. I recently ran the boat for about 50 miles in fresh water and then a nice salt water run about a week ago.

I filled a large heavy duty garbage can about 2/3 full with water and added 4 gallons of vinegar. The boat has a nosecone and uses a transom mounted water pickup so I disconnected the house, primed the pump, and dropped it into the water then lowered the lower unit as far as possible. You would likely just have to submerge your lower unit until the pickup grates are covered.

Yes, that is a little grass stuck in the t-stats. Last time out I ran through a lot of floating grass in Charlotte Harbor that gets pickup up by my transom mount pickup. I have since added a sea strainer.

These are pics of the test subject, thermostats, and housings prior to the test.

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: (Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

I ran the motor for about 20 minutes and then the temp started to creep up due the water in the garbage can getting hot. I checked one thermostat and found most of the salt gone.

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: (Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

These are before and after pics of the same t-stat after 20 minutes. I did not scrape or brush anything.

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: (Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

I continued to run the boat on and off all day for maybe an 1-1/2 hour total but didnt see whole lot of improvment. When I finished I pulled it apart again and this is the result.

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: (Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

When I started, the scale (not salt) buildup was hard as iron. I noticed when I was done it was very soft...kind of gooey. There was no way I could have removed it prior to this test but after, most of it easily came out with a spray from a garden hose and I scooped some out with a screwdrive. I think going for a good run in the boat right after this treatment would remove a lot of that loosened material that just didnt get washed away idleing in a bucket.
This is the t-stat housing before the test and after a good squirt with a hose and a little cleaning.

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: (Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

Heres some video I took before and after. I saw a small improvement in water pressure but I wouldn't put a lot of weight on that. Probably caused by a small change in how it was idling and the fact that it was hooked to a hose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txPss8dJa30&feature=player_embedded

 

[Mr. Demeanor]

Re: (Spring Cleaning) How to: Cleaning your cooling system with vinegar

A few words of caution:
1. Remove your prop to avoid a potential accident.
2. The water GETS HOT.
3. Dont leave your boat idleing unattended.


Here is the garbage can. The water started clear. When it all settles, I will pour off the top and post pics of what came out.

New pics added. There is a lot of "gunk" the the bottom of the can which was cleaned before the test. The white stuff came out of the opti and is pretty fine like powder. The grey and grit came out of the Yamaha. The pics dont do the amount of crud removed from the engine justice and I am sure the salt was all suspended in the water I siphoned off.