Heat Exchanger (internal design help!)

[hbishop3]

I was checking my heat exchanger due to a reduced water flow (expected blockage but found the seawater side clear). So, noting that there were bolts on the OTHER end of the cylinder, I took them out. When I started to pull the end cap away, all of the anti-freeze I owned in the engine exited the exchanger. So, I reattached the end-cap (opposite the seawater side) and went back to the sea-water end and now noticed that I had anti-freeze coming from the sea-water tubes.

My question: how in the world can anti-freeze get to the seawater cooling tubes in the heat exchanger? Did I break a seal at the other end? Or is there a gasket? Hoping someone reading this has taken one apart and can help determine whether I need a mechanic to come and save me.

Thanks in advance,

Bud
Hi-Jinx

 

[fwebster]

Yes.....

There are o-rings on the other end. You have just pulled the end cap off enough to let the antifreeze run from the coolant side into the sea water side. Do not try to reassemble it without new o-rings installed in the right place.

 

[JC3]

Bud, I did the same thing. Thank goodness for FrankW. Followed his advice and ran my ole girl to Bimini and back with out problems. Good luck, JC

 

[northern]

I took the exchangers to a rad shop and they cleaned, inspected, put them back together then tested them. It was 120 each including gaskets. The generator was all pluged up they charged 200 for it as all the tubes were 99% blocked.