Boiler Cleaning inside

[Ron HancockParticipant @ronhancock63652]

We have a super Simplex 5" with hydrostatic Lubricator.

The Loco has not been run for 6 years and inside the Boiler is oiley.

It passed Hydrolic test and steam test but problem on the track our boiler guy said it was the boiler needing cleaning to get the oil out.

Has any one tried using Truck wash solution to clean inside a boiler to get the oil dirt and grime out.

We wanted to try this then clean with Epson Salts and blow down to get final clean done.

Just worried about trying anything new just in case it may make more problems as it's my friends loco not mine.

Any thoughts please

Ron

[Ron HancockParticipant @ronhancock63652]

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

BIOX would seem to be a good candidate. Enzyme based, degreases, also removes scale. Non flammable. Unlike detergents, you shouldn't be washing bubbles out for ever afterwards.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

A soak with caustic soda or even washing soda will break down most oils.

Neil

[BowberParticipant @bowber]

Jizer degreaser? It's water soluble and leaves parts oil free far better than things like gunk etc. It doesn't like parts already being wet though.

Steve

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi ron,

ive had to do this a number of times with badly maintained club locos. it is rather laborious if the boiler is on the loco.

pour soda crystals into boiler through a suitable opening such as safety valve bush using a plastic funnel. boil up quite a few kettle fulls of boiling water and add to boiler. slosh about a bit as much as possible. keep the regulator closed!

drain down with as great a flow as possible. open both boiler drain valves fully.

you probably need to do this 4 or 5 times, and then repeat with just boiling water 4 or 5 times. then do a couple of static/stationary tests/steam ups of the boiler draining down after each time.

the drained waste can be collected in a bucket each time and examined till it is perfectly clear of muck and oil.

old marine enginners will know a lot about this!

do not run the loco till all the muck/oil is removed otherwise you will may get uncontrollable priming and damage the loco.

i knew Gordon Howells quite well and have very fond memories of him. those who also knew Gordon would perhaps agree he didnt look after his locos as well as some of us do!

cheers,

julian

[Ron HancockParticipant @ronhancock63652]

Thank you all for your help been very useful we will need to spend some time and make sure we now get it really clean before trying to run it again.

Ron

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