Which is the best sludge cleaner for boiler system?

u587162 · 19 May 2024

I know there are several products on the market to pour into my Magnaclean, ranging from Ferrox F3 and F8, Adey MC3 cleaner, Sentinel X800 etc

I had my system power flushed two years ago but the problem has reappeared and was advised by a few different engineers that the system should be flushed again.

What products do some of you professionals recommend which is highly effective to disloge sludge in my plate heat exchanger and heat exchanger so it can circulate int he system for a few weeks before I call someone around to powerflush it. We used one MC3 which has got my Viessmann Vitodens 111-W boiler to start again but it continues to overhear on the hot water setting when it reaches 100 degrees and produces an F2 error. I had no hot water for 2 weeks until I used this in the magnaclean 2 filter but now want to pour some more strong chemicals in there.

u587162 · 19 May 2024

Also how do these so call cleaners work, do they help dissolve the hardened particles which block the heat exchanger?

Madrab · 19 May 2024

How old are the radiators? It can sometime be really difficult to stop a system blackening up, even after flushing, once older type rads have started to corrode.

I had one particular system - 5 old round top imperial rads - was mains flushed spotlessly clean twice then powerflushed clean once - and then, if anything,really over inhibited and even after all that it started 2 darken up again after a year. Only solution was to replace the old rads. Now it stays squeaky.

Cleaner have detergents in them that loosen/dissolve sludge making it dissolve in the system water and allowing the system to be flushed clear. Some of the more persistent sludge in the rads needs a mechanical agitation to loosen it into solution so it can be flushed out.

2 types of cleaner - harsh fast acting and gentler longer acting - stick with the well known brands for consistent results.

u587162 · 20 May 2024

Thanks for the reply.

14 radiators most are within 10-15 years old and one is 40 years probably.

What brand of cleaner do you recommend? Which is the harsher and softer one?

DP · 20 May 2024

My choice is X800.
It MUST be removed from the system with several (as recommended by Sentinel) else it kills pumps
Does a great job.
X400 works also but obverse a period of time

Used Megnaclean chemical to clear fouled system. Took its time but did the job.

Any cleaner liable to clear weak fittings and joints that will thereafter weep

u587162 · 25 May 2024

"It MUST be removed from the system with several"
I didnt understand this statement...several what?

Madrab · 25 May 2024

u587162 said:
"It MUST be removed from the system with several

It should be removed from the system with a hours - no more than 20hrs as per Sentinel recommendations - it's very aggressive - x 400 can be run for several weeks

mcprinter · 25 May 2024

DIYer.
I would suggest X400 for DIY who can take their time. Seems to have helped with my 30+ year old system.
Left mine in for 3-4 weeks. I removed and flushed most of the rads too.

X800 more suited to a pro who will want to get the job done in one visit.

Agile · 25 May 2024

The best cleanser is citric acid sold as DS40.

But that needs to be used sparingly as it can cause leaks in an old system.

The other types do not really dissolve the dirt and only make it mobile so it can be washed out.

The plate HE can only be cleaned properly if it is taken out. Then about 5% of HCl is best and quickest.

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Which is the best sludge cleaner for boiler system?

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