Anode broke off in heat exchanger

[Radiowave]

While tuning up my Kohler 5ECD part of the old anode, which was very brittle, broke off and is still in the heat exchanger. The new anode will not slide into place. I was thinking I should remove the heat exchanger and fish it out (I am not a mechanic but can do basic maintenance). Or, should I just leave it in until it desinegrates? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[endless seas]

Ask Frank Webster.....he knows all.

 

[pyro]

Getting the heat exchanger off is a pain due to the rear bottom screw on the heat exchanger. Getting it back on is near impossible - probably took me 45 min alone on that one screw. Your access may vary, but you are mostly blocked by the generator's access.

An alternative method is to remove the inlet and outlet cooling hoses and flush barnacle buster with a small pump recirculating in a bucket. It will eat up the anode fairly quickly, as well as clean the heat exchanger pretty good. Getting the inlet cooling hose off is fairly challenging since it's so short from the fuel pump. Easiest is to just cut it and replace it.

Neither are quick and easy. Not sure what to say about leaving it in for a while. Perhaps you could buy a 2nd one and incrementally cut it down until it fits. That way you at least know there is some protection?

 

[Radiowave]

Getting the heat exchanger off is a pain due to the rear bottom screw on the heat exchanger. Getting it back on is near impossible - probably took me 45 min alone on that one screw. Your access may vary, but you are mostly blocked by the generator's access.

An alternative method is to remove the inlet and outlet cooling hoses and flush barnacle buster with a small pump recirculating in a bucket. It will eat up the anode fairly quickly, as well as clean the heat exchanger pretty good. Getting the inlet cooling hose off is fairly challenging since it's so short from the fuel pump. Easiest is to just cut it and replace it.

Neither are quick and easy. Not sure what to say about leaving it in for a while. Perhaps you could buy a 2nd one and incrementally cut it down until it fits. That way you at least know there is some protection?

Thanks for the advice. Very helpful.

 

[mnm99]

And don't forget to bleed the system after you put it back on. Just a FYI.

 

[juggernaut1]

Same thing happened to me the first time I replaced my annode. I was able to tap it into the hx and install the new annode.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Do yourself a favor and do what ever it takes to get the old anode out. If left behind it will not just disintegrate completely, it will become encrusted and cause blockage of the heat exchanger tubes. I found several broken off and abandoned zincs in all three of my cooling systems and they had created as much as 50% blockage in a couple of the exchangers. I like the Barnacle buster plan if the access to the exchanger prohibits removal and disassembly in your case.
Good luck
CD

 

[Irie308]

Do yourself a favor and do what ever it takes to get the old anode out. If left behind it will not just disintegrate completely, it will become encrusted and cause blockage of the heat exchanger tubes. I found several broken off and abandoned zincs in all three of my cooling systems and they had created as much as 50% blockage in a couple of the exchangers. I like the Barnacle buster plan if the access to the exchanger prohibits removal and disassembly in your case.
Good luck
CD

What he said...that thing is like cement when it sits there and starts to break down.

 

[JVM225]

While tuning up my Kohler 5ECD part of the old anode, which was very brittle, broke off and is still in the heat exchanger. The new anode will not slide into place. I was thinking I should remove the heat exchanger and fish it out (I am not a mechanic but can do basic maintenance). Or, should I just leave it in until it desinegrates? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Is there an end cap you can take off of the heat exchanger to get to it?