Few Questions Re. Cleaning Turboma Plate Heat Ex.

[woodbine]

The plate heat exchanger in my Turbomax (242/2-5) is scaled up from hard water, and I intend to take it out this weekend to clean it.

Three connections on it are spring clips with O rings underneath, and the fourth is a nut with a fibre washer underneath it. Should I change these seals as a matter of course, or only if they are damaged?

If the cleaning doesn't go well, and I have to replace the HEX, is it OK to buy a new one from somewhere like Ebay? They are half the price of most parts companies. Are they likely to be non-Vaillant parts? Or should I stick to a genuine Vaillant heat exchanger?

Many thanks

 

[David937]

I would replace the o-rings and fibre washer, you need to buy genuine Vaillant o-rings though as standard ones don't fit (I've tried). Apparently you may be able to get away with smearing the o-rings with silicone grease but I didn't want to risk it.

I would buy a genuine part if it needs replacing. How do you plan on cleaning it?

 

[woodbine]

Thanks for your reply.

Was going to put a 50/50 mix of spirit of salts and water in the dhw side and boiling water in the ch/primary side to speed up the process.

 

[David937]

Thanks for your reply.

Was going to put a 50/50 mix of spirit of salts and water in the dhw side and boiling water in the ch/primary side to speed up the process.

Sounds okay, might as well clean the primary side while your at it.

 

[woodbine]

Should I use the same 50/50 mix for the primary side, or something else?

 

[David937]

Yeah should be fine, give it a good blast out with water when you done, I usually use the garden tap.