Fuel Cooler Service Interval?

[bobk]

So, I'm sitting in the condo, boat-less for the summer and getting cabin fever for two weeks of my three week chemo interval. What to do? Why, worry about the engines of course.

I have 1981 6V92TA's at rated at 425 HP. These puppies have about 5000 hours total time. The starboard is at perhaps 1100 hours SMOH, the port about 2200. I have no records of fuel cooler maintenance. I did have the cooling systems cleaned in place, but do not know how the mechanics tapped into system to acid clean it to confirm that the coolers were included. The engines run at 165-170 at my normal 100 rpm cruise, and 180 or so at 2000 rpm.

My question: How often should these be removed and tested etc. I spent far too much time reading old posts about the coolers, but did not find any recommendations.

Also, are these typical shell and tube, or simply a single copper tube in the shell?

Thoughts?

Bobk

 

[Genesis]

The fuel cooler is just a tube-in-a-tube design; it is extremely simple and not a cored, multi-tube thing. Pulling and looking down it is easy and if it's got crap growing or otherwise in it it's also easy to clean. The easy way to test it for integrity after cleaning it is to put ~80psi of shop air on the fuel side and dunk it; if it doesn't bubble it's good.

 

[bobk]

The fuel cooler is just a tube-in-a-tube design; it is extremely simple and not a cored, multi-tube thing. Pulling and looking down it is easy and if it's got crap growing or otherwise in it it's also easy to clean. The easy way to test it for integrity after cleaning it is to put ~80psi of shop air on the fuel side and dunk it; if it doesn't bubble it's good.

Thanks Karl.

Bobk