Gold dust in my plumbing

Mikey P

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no, my Colonoscopy is still a couple weeks away, this is my TM plumbing I'm referring to..

My HydroForce was hardly putting out for the last few jobs so I checked the internal screen filter right after the male QC. Nothing there.

As it got worse and worse I got serious about finding the fix so I plugged the gun straight into the QC on the front of the machine and POW! full pressure. Next I took the Male QC off and popped it into the female on the front of the machine and there it was, very low pressure...low...low.... splurge..pop and POW full pressure!

Something was behind the check valve inside the male. Once the water dried up on the step of the side door I found the culprit. Very fine, very consistent gold dust...or brass dust...or copper dust...really not sure, never had this happen in 30 years in California.

Cali water comes mostly out of reservoirs while Nevada is most well and ground water.


Anyone else seen this?


Wish I took a darn picture..
 
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Mark Saiger

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Mark Saiger
Yep....we see it here too...

Just sometimes get a big old blob of the stuff...

light tan in color...and if we little it settle in our TM pipes even with water softeners...filters....(which is still gets by)....

It will scale up the Truckmounts especially with the heat seaming to want to turn it to Calcium.

We just make it a ritual to descale every month to two months....

I had a moment where plugged up a TM...overnighted a new Cat Water Pump thinking the problem....

got the new pump....NOPE! same problem....

Pulled that thing apart going connector to connector until found the scale up.....

Took toilet bowl cleaner and a small screw driver to unplug and get the junk freed up....

We have even had TM's in our area get plugged up needing new Heat Exchangers.....

So Yep...I am very familiar with what you are referring to @Mikey P

We just had one of our screens get plugged on Thursday at the Inline Pressure Sprayer too....
 
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What product, and procedure do you use to descale Mark? I've been told that aluminum fresh tanks play a big role in scale issues, especially in areas with hard water. Something about how the water reacts with the aluminum. My new van has a poly fresh water pond. Cleanco 47....... Really like it so far.... Only 100 hrs in tho.....
Jeff @ SCC
 
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steve_64

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Aug 11, 2012
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this is metal, NOT mineral deposits.


Plugged up the fine screen filer in my PMF hard surface wand to day..
It's rusty water Po it a magnet tobit it's iron I bet.

Get a fresh water tank and use good water. It's why you didn't see it in Cali. You carried water there right.
 
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this is metal, NOT mineral deposits.


Plugged up the fine screen filer in my PMF hard surface wand to day..
I guess there's quirks to all gear.... My PTO drive shaft on my new Cleanco is, well, kinda noisy... I took some Fluid Film, and sprayed a good 15-18 secs. in all 4 vent holes..... The blower tach jumped from 2850, to 3100..... Go figure.... And stayed there.... Obviously a little metal on metal drag..... Had to dial it back down to 2850. Everything has its strengths, and weaknesses....
Jeff @ SCC
 

steve_64

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I still think it's iron sludge. I use to get it when I didn't have good soft water

Using a softner helps some but even homes on a softner with iron issues still has issues like screens plugging with sludge.

Wait till you get Browning issues from it. And even odors.
 

Jimmy L

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Was getting gunk in my screens too so I think I just might be running a cup of vinegar in my solution jug from now on or once a month for a rinse agent. Cleanco 56 here. Where are those vent holes on the shaft? What was that stuff you sprayed?
 
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Was getting gunk in my screens too so I think I just might be running a cup of vinegar in my solution jug from now on or once a month for a rinse agent. Cleanco 56 here. Where are those vent holes on the shaft? What was that stuff you sprayed?
I used Fluid Film.... Great all-around lubricant..... I use it on everything from door hinges, to the meat slicer in my kitchen(food safe product).... Just don't spray it in the blower lube hole.... It's a little thick for that...... My Cleanco has vent holes along the shaft. From the doghouse back to the unit.... If I remember tomorrow, when I get to the shop, I'll snap a pic or 2.....
 
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