Barnacle Buster/ Rydlyme Concentration/Ratio?

[dtfeld]

Going to flush/descale my engines raw water side using Barnacle Buster or Rydlyme concentrate. Normal ratio is 4:1 BB or 3:1 for Rydlyme, however, I don't know how much volume the systems requires (I've never done it before). Trying to decide how much to purchase.

If I mix it greater than 4:1 or 3;1, will it still work? Work slower? Not at all?

 

[Korkie]

Barnacle Buster, mix as per recommended - 4:1. You will need 7.5 gallons per motor. I believe the process is run it in until through (i put some food coloring in mine to know when it was coming out exhaust) Leave set for 4 hours and then flush. when I flushed the motors the exhaust color was quite dirty. Also did my genny and AC..
AC - you will need to do a loop and keep it running through. Not sure why, just that's what everything I read advised.

 

[ttmott]

Barnacle Buster, mix as per recommended - 4:1. You will need 7.5 gallons per motor. I believe the process is run it in until through (i put some food coloring in mine to know when it was coming out exhaust) Leave set for 4 hours and then flush. when I flushed the motors the exhaust color was quite dirty. Also did my genny and AC..
AC - you will need to do a loop and keep it running through. Not sure why, just that's what everything I read advised.

7.5 gallons for raw water side?

 

[Korkie]

That is what I use as I draw through the out drives. Usually will turn motor off after seeing it come out the exhaust and pulling in an additional gallon.

 

[ttmott]

I'll tell you how I did it for the Cat 3116's; the only real difference the 3126 has a raw water aftercooler. If circulating through strainer then around 5 gallons if bypassing the strainer then around 4 (plus aftercooler).

1. Engines are cool and strainers are clean.
2. Close seacock and remove hose from the strainer.
3. Adapt a 1" minimum ID hose (I used 1.25 inch) to the strainer inlet and place the loose end at the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket that is elevated to the engine top surface; make sure the hose is at the bottom and will remain securely there. This hose must be stiff enough to not collapse as it is the suction side of the engine's pump.
4. Remove the engine raw water discharge hose from the underside of the exhaust and adapt another 1" minimum ID hose to it and place the loose end overboard.
5. Fill bucket with fresh tap water.
6. Start the engine and draw the fresh water down in the bucket but don't dry the bucket and allow the engine's impeller to run dry. It is important here the engine runs a minimum time (maybe 30 seconds) as there is no cooling water in the exhaust. Repeat this a couple of times to fully displace any raw/salt water in the raw water side.
7. Empty the bucket and refill with the appropriate concentration of the Barnacle Buster.
8. Place the hose from the system discharge (was draining overboard) into the bucket bottom; both hoses in the bucket bottom.
9. Again start the engine and allow to run (around 30 seconds) to allow the mix to fill the engine raw water side of things then shut down the engine and allow the mixture to do it's work for about an hour. Replenish the bucket with the Barnacle Buster mix as needed until it is fully circulating and not drying up the bucket.
10. Start the engine again and repeat the above.
11. After around three times circulating the Barnacle Buster disassemble the cleaning arrangement and reconnect the seacock hose to the strainer and the cooling discharge hose to the exhaust discharge.
12. Remove the end cap (starboard side only) from the heat exchangers and inspect/remove any loose debris (grass, zinc remnants, old rubber pieces from impellers, etc) and replace the cap with the O-ring lubricated with silicone grease with a new zinc installed. Note this cap is plastic so tighten the bolts with caution.
13. Barnacle Buster will dissolve the zinc anodes so either plan to replace all or remove them and plug with appropriate plugs.
14. Once everything is back together open seacock and run the engine making sure leak free, all of the Barnacle Buster is purged out, and you have ample water flow.
15. Done….

 

[Craig]

I've always just filled a 5 gallon bucket per engine for my inboard 350's and its worked ok for me.

 

[ttmott]

And - BTW this can be done with a separate pump in the bucket but the engine's impeller must be removed.
Also - the taps for the shaft bearing cooling must have their hoses disconnected and plugged.

 

[Korkie]

It all works. Important thing is to get enough in the motor to fill all areas. Good point about the zincs, they do need to be replaced after.

 

[dtfeld]

I'm planning to recirculate, do both engines at once. Impellers are removed, anodes removed, shaft seal lines plugged. Going to use utility pump set in 20 gal trash can. Pump will inject on the port exhause elbow, and exit at the strainer, and do the same on the other side.

I guess I'll have to set it up and measure how much, then order the BB or rydlyme. I'm thinking at least 7.5 gallons/side + plumbing so 20 gallons isnt out of the question...

Hate to set it up twice...ITS COLD!!!