[ShaunL]

Hi everyone,
I've got an old spitfire which I havn't descaled since I had it 2 years ago. It's not heating up properly now so I'm assuming theres buildup in the heat exchanger.
any advice on descaling these? Would this be the problem. Everything else runs fine.

[Raymondo]

We have a spitfire 3.2 and descaled it over Christmas. Got some descaler from HM run it round the system and flushed it out 3 days later.

Worked a treat.

[ShaunL]

Thanks for the reply. Did you have any issues with thr machine like temperature prior to this?

[Raymondo]

I had replaced one of the heat exchangers with a good second-hand one 6 months before.

About 2 weeks before xmas we suddenly had a big problem with scale  it was blocking the filters and jets and we got the point where we could only work for 10 minutes only before the wand jet blocked up.

The descale fixed it.

[John Kelly]

If its got to the point where its affecting the heat it will need a major descale. You need to fill the whole system with descaler and leave it for a good while. Best to do this on a Friday night and flush it all through either late Sunday or Monday morning. You are best off unscrewing the female quick connect before flushing it as this can block with all the rubbish that comes out. We sell Prochem Truckmount Descaler which does a good job.

[ShaunL]

Hi John,
Thanks for the reply.
I will look to order some of this by the end of the week as I need some of that algex from you aswell.

I've been looking at the prochem descaler but the instructions seem to relate to descaling and flushing soon after.
Would I just put this into the main water tank, run it through the system using a wand and then just leave it for 3 days? Excuse my lack of knowledge, this will be the first time I've done it, plus I've read mixed articles about internals getting ruined by the chemical.

Thanks
Shaun

[David Ware]

Normally if you have a header tank, put the descaler in the header tank and run a small hose from the machine outlet back to the header tank and let it build up to normal temp. Shut down for the length of time that is required then make sure you flush the system thoroughly and clean all in line filters.
David

[peter maybury]

The best way to descale a truckmount is to get a hose made up with a connector to to water inlet on the front of the machine to the water outlet pipe this way you are also descaling the valve into the header tank as well as the inlet connectors.  If you are unsure about what I mean speak to Hydramaster and they will explain it a lot better and even supply the parts if needed.
It is important that descaling is done on a regular basis as it affects the machine considerably. You could also do with getting some piano wire to unclog the small tubes in the exhaust outlet as that will also affect the temperature of the machine on a spitfire.
You will find hyramaster very helpful at giving advice , these machines have been out for some time and they have a lot of experience at diagnosing faults. You really do have to look after these machines and service them reguarly or you cannot expect reliabiity and good performance from them, it will end up costing you a fortune in the long run.
I probably live in one of the softest water areas in the up but decaling is still required.

Peter

[garybristow]

Use fibre and fabric rinse as your chemical of choice for a few jobs, it really cleans all the nooks and crannies and your hoses as well
If you have a 20 litre tank add5 litres of f and fab
Also trunk mount de scaler is a good product
Gary

[mark shannon]

So leaving descaler in the system for 48hrs shouldn't damage internals?
Mark

[John Kelly]

shouldn't do Mark. Its only a mild Acid. Plenty local guys here have done it with no detriment but did clear their exchangers.