Yanmar 6LPA intercooler draining

[rgano]

I asked this on boatdiesel.com, but I am so far not getting anything on consequence.

There is a petcock drain on the bottom of my 6LPA-STP's intercooler case, and I am wondering how others handle it.

Should I be opening it after every run?

Does it make sense to crack it open during operation, perhaps connecting a drain tube to an open bottle?

 

[silverback]

I understand that it is to be opened when following the rather scary advice on cleaning intercooler. By feeding a small amount of water into the air intake. Flushing it in effect.

 

[rgano]

I have the proper Yanmar turbo cleaning solution and the instructions to use it. I have conducted the cleaning. When done per directions at 3000 RPM underway, there is no way there will be anything of the 50 ml of fluid sprayed into the turbo left in the intercooler. Maybe the drain would be useful for folks who run this engine at trawler speed all day long where condensation might be more likely to collect. I seldom run less than 2900-3000 RPM, and things seem to stay dry and in good order in there.

 

[Comodave]

Have you ever cracked it open after a run to see what, if anything, comes out? Or after it has been sitting for a while. I think I would crack it open at different times to see if anything comes out. Then you would know that maybe if it sits for a week, for example, that it may need draining.

 

[rgano]

Have you ever cracked it open after a run to see what, if anything, comes out? Or after it has been sitting for a while. I think I would crack it open at different times to see if anything comes out. Then you would know that maybe if it sits for a week, for example, that it may need draining.

Only cracked open once with engine cold, but your idea is excellent, and I will pick a few different times to get a feel for what, if anything ], is dribble-able in there.

 

[Comodave]

Yes, that way you can establish a base line and know what is normal for your engine. Good luck.

 

[DavidM]

I remember Tony Athens talking about the vent drain that litigation forced Cummins to install on their 6BTA and maybe others. He said it was worthless. Little or no condensate is trapped there.

But the Yanmar after cooler has a different geometry- horizontal tubes vs the vertical tubes of the Cummins. You might get something out of the drain, but I doubt if much and certainly not enough worth draining routinely.

David