Heat Exchanger

[carver355owner]

I just flushed my heat exchanger - a friend at the dock suggested using a product on the inside of the hose ends before sliding them back on and tightening the clamps to help with the seal. Has anyone used such a product? If so, what's it called?

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum.....I use dish soap on the inside of the hose to assist in getting a tight hose on .......then just tighten the clamp......do not over tighten the clamp or it can cause a leak. Afterwards you will check all the fittings for watertight/function etc and adjust if necessary then good to go.

I would avoid gluing hoses on with sealant....remember you may have to take it apart again......

The beauty of dish soap is you can see it in the exhaust discharge so you know the system is functioning.

[carver355owner]

Thank you! I was thinking that sealing it would be a pain when it needs to be removed again... lol

[KyleR]

SeaBoard Marine recommends Rectorseal #5 on seawater connections in their videos and on their website. Helps the parts slide together easily, provides a good seal (along with clamps obviously) and yet the hoses will still separate easily when needed. I used it when I replaced most of my seawater hoses on both my main engines and have had no issues. YMMV

[bud37]

Source of the post Rectorseal #5

Unless I remember wrong is that not simply pipe dope designed for threaded fittings lube and seal.

[KyleR]

Unless I remember wrong is that not simply pipe dope designed for threaded fittings lube and seal.

Basically, but I trust those guys at SeaBoard and it has worked well for me. Call it an "off label" use.