Engine Flush Products?

[Amphibiographer]

Hi All. It seems that there are many products on the market now that claim to break down salt crystals.
CRC:Salt Terminator,
Pure Oceans:Salt Off with PTEF,
Salt Away uses TSP,
50% Blue Coral Wash + 50% Vinegar

Has anyone tried these products? Which ones are best and cost least?

[joe_db]

I used cheap vinegar last time I flushed my engine.

[Amphibiographer]

Did you dilute it? How long did you leave it in the engine?

[Dave Neptune]

Straight vinegar for 24~48 hours and if that doesn't work time for an acid wash.

Dave Neptune

[Al Schober]

I've used muriatic acid for a flush. The stuff in the jug is about 20% or so - I diluted it down to 5%. You only need about a gallon of mix in a bucket. Water pump takes a suction on the bucket and the discharge goes back to the bucket. Run the discharge through the foot of an old nylon stocking to keep the chunks from recirculating. The bucket got dirty quickly, and didn't seem to get any dirtier after about 5 or 10 minutes when I quit.
Neutralize with baking soda before disposal.

[Amphibiographer]

Thanks for advice everyone.
Muriatic acid = Hydrogen Chloride and is extremely toxic even at a 30% solution in water.
My boat is in the ocean. I don't want to kill critters or pollute the harbour. Don Moyer says in his post on Engine Flush "NOTE: Some of the acid solution will find its way into the exhaust system"
Where is the best place to disconnect the exhaust system so I can catch the acid solution in a bucket or direct it with another hose to a bucket in the cockpit?

[ndutton]

Depending on the concentration of the muriatic acid solution you purchase, following the acid flush instructions found on page 2-5 of your Moyer Manual, after dilution you're actually flushing with more like a 1%~3% acid solution.

[joe_db]

Thanks for advice everyone.
Muriatic acid = Hydrogen Chloride and is extremely toxic even at a 30% solution in water.
My boat is in the ocean. I don't want to kill critters or pollute the harbour. Don Moyer says in his post on Engine Flush "NOTE: Some of the acid solution will find its way into the exhaust system"
Where is the best place to disconnect the exhaust system so I can catch the acid solution in a bucket or direct it with another hose to a bucket in the cockpit?

That gets pretty complicated. Here is what I did last time:
1. Bought a couple of jugs of cheap vinegar.
2. Ran the engine until hot, then sucked the vinegar in until it started coming out the exhaust.
3. Shut the engine down.
4. Let it sit overnight.

[Amphibiographer]

The vinegar and 1% muriatic acid sound like good solutions (no pun intended). Can someone tell me at what temperature the salt begins to precipitate out of sea water? Is it better to run the Atomic 4 cooler so this doesn't happen?

[joe_db]

The vinegar and 1% muriatic acid sound like good solutions (no pun intended). Can someone tell me at what temperature the salt begins to precipitate out of sea water? Is it better to run the Atomic 4 cooler so this doesn't happen?

145 F is the usual limit for salt water. One of my A4s ran around 180-200 and needed a vinegar flush every year to keep from getting worse.

[Sam]

Backing up Joe, boats with early A 4's built in Florida, mine included, came with a Dole thermastate set up w/ a 140 F Tstat which was designed not to perticapate salt from water. Been running at that temp in fresh water Lake Michigan for 40+ years.

[romantic comedy]

Muriatic acid, or hydrochloric acid can be neutraized into a harmless form. Can use sodium bicarboante (baking soda) or sodium hydroxide.