QSC Heat Exchanger Core Removal

[Brian Will]

I have the end caps off the heat exchanger and was wondering if the core needs to be removed in one direction? Is the core typically service off engine like the aftercooler with the same Seaboard protocols regarding Alco Metalube, etc.? I looked through the forums but didn’t find a lot of info on the QSC HE servicing.

Thanks.

Topic

[Brian Will]

My HE core looked like your picture with the divider on the end cap and the bronze strip on the core. Here are these parts just prior to putting the end cap back on.

[Tony Athens]

Divider seal

Look at this picture.. Tell me you installed the plastic/rubber divider seal,  or did the core look the the pic with the hard fin attached to the core..    

[Brian Will]

No gasket for the thermostat and I didn’t make one. On all of the other pipe connections, I used the o-ring kit from Seaboard and made sure I greased them up good with the Alco Metalube. No leaks noted running after the service.

[chrism6784]

Hey was wondering if you could answer couple questions regarding the reinstall of the pipes.

 

the pipe from heat exchanger to engine where the thermostate is, has no gasket?? Did you use any time of make a gasket to seal?

 

also only replaced gaskets on pipes no other type of sealant for the pipes

[Brian Will]

HE Reinstalled

The port heat exchanger is reinstalled. I got the cleaned and tested core back from the radiator shop and in my opinion, the HE is a bit more challenging to install than the aftercooler. The unit is heavier and bulkier and simply mounting the housing requires either two people or you have to put the empty housing in and then install the core separately. This second option is the one I took.I removed the alternator and bracket to make room to slide the core in from the front end of the engine. I lubed the housing the same as the aftercooler with one exception, there are bands inside the housing that the AC doesn’t have so I put Alco Metalube on these as well. 

For others doing this, let me save you an hour – the core has a top and bottom side that isn’t marked or mentioned in the Cummins manual. After no luck trying to get the end cap bolts lined up I realized that the core had to have a top side. I reversed the core (spun it by hand in the housing) and viola, the bolts lined up. The online manual for servicing this component is in need of a refresh. The only item left to service in the raw water system is the starboard heat exchanger Space is a lot tighter on that side so I went to school on the port engine.

1 user thanked author for this post.

John

[Brian Will]

Good observation Tony.

I’m still curious as to how to get the QSC HE core out and back in. The housing geometry doesn’t allow the core to come out the back (turbo/exhaust elbow in the way) or forward (alternator bracket). When folks say they service their QSC heat exchangers, what’s involved and how’s it done? 

Thanks.

[Tony Athens]

You don’t really think the tech /book guy that writes the O&M manuals has ever done any of the procedures he writes about, do you? Good chance “he or she”  has never even been on a boat.   Tony

[Brian Will]

I removed the heat exchanger from the engine today. Kinda funny the the Cummins manual makes a big deal about the weight of the aftercooler but simply says to remove the heat exchanger from the bracket. The HE is every bit as bulky as the aftercooler and may weigh a bit more. Not a biggie, but you should be ready for it. This will be impossible on my starboard engine as there simply isn’t enough room to get the HE out even if I remove the mounting bolts. Looking at the geometry, if I pull the alternator I might be able to drive the core out to the back end of the engine for servicing. Has anyone done this before?

Thanks.

[Author]

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