E-3 heat exchanger exploded

[Carpet Cleaning Fool]

And dumped a couple gallons Xentherm on the custy's driveway.

Its 11 years old so guess I'm not too suprised.

Called AT and Ted says it will take till middle of May to build a new one at a cost of $1300.

Johns Exchangers said they could turn it around in 10 days for $1800.

Maybe it can be repaired but I had to leave town and won't get a chance to pull the E3 till next week.

Anyone know what the odds of repairing it are? I'm thinking an 11 year old exchanger should just be replaced.

 

[Jim Martin]

Anyone know what the odds of repairing it

slim to none............if it let lose that bad it is not worth the headache down the road wondering when another chamber is going to do the same thing.......

 

[steampro]

George I would just skip the mess and get a deisel or propane burner. In fact I think thats what Im going to do soon, I need another lower exchanger (Ive left one with 2 welders to try and fix but both guys just let it sit and never touch it so I end up just picking it back up). The currant one I have is leaking and its only about two and a half years old. And the oil pump is leaking as well. So Im thinking Im not going to put any more money into the exchangers. I checked on it a month or so ago and I think the price of a deisel burner was around $2200 or so. Id have to spend that much to get my exchanger and oil pump replaced anyways.

 

[Jim Martin]

I sure it was a good idea on paper but.....after time this is what happens when the moister gets to it and it cant breath........Better start worrying about the muffler also..........it has the same wrap on it as the E-3 has.....

out with the old and in with the new..........the heat shield works pretty good and does not allow any moister to build up..........

 

[Carpet Cleaning Fool]

Thanks Jim!!!

Your pic's are the missing link I needed before diving into this project. At least I can set my expectations appropriatly now.

Muchos gracias amigo!

 

[Mikey P]

So what did you decide to do?

 

[Ron Lippold]

he took it to one of our great wealders and he got her fixed for 70 bucks i think he said.

 

[Jim Martin]

viewtopic.php?f=115&t=39262

 

[Carpet Cleaning Fool]

Sorry, I should have updated progress on this original thread.

anyhow, I gave it a Redneck Rebuild.

Pulled the E-3 and peeled back the outer skin.

Gave it a good acid bath and a pressure washing.

Located the obvious leak.

Took it to Cool Dude welding and had band-aid welded into place. total cost $40.00.

Pressure tested it at the welding shop and discovered another leak around the fitting.

used 3 cans high temp paint (images didn't save to camera :-(

Made new exhaust manifold gasket from material purchase from NAPA. Cost $13.00

Slammed E-3 back into truck same day and ran couple gallons diesel fuel to clean sludge and varnish. Xentherm pump wasn't pumping so like a dumbass I pulled the pump and took it apart. Nothing wrong with pump so put it back together and re-installed and primed pump.

Everything working fine. Working temps in the 220 ++ degree range. I'm a little concerned because the E-3 is thin and weak in some area's so installed a pressure guage on the Xentherm system to keep an eye on pressure.

Here's a shot of the highest pressure recorded on the e-3 so far. 9.5 psi at around 230 degree's.

I'm pleased with the Redneck Rebuild. especially considering it cost less than 60 bucks! I would have ordered a new E-3 but A/T is waiting on tubing and wouldn't be shipped till the middle of May.