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[dave_dj1]

Some of you know I bought a used Hawkin GX10, went to clean the vertical tubes in the back today and 5 of the 9 are plugged solid. I can't get a solid rod down them. I tried putting the brush in the drill but no dice.
I can't seem to find on google an answer as to what chemical will dissolve the solid crap, it's not the sticky phase, more the sooty stage.
I tried gasoline (in a tub), no dice
tried carb cleaner, no dice
tried pb blaster, no dice
tried pepsicola, no dice
?? I'm thinking seriously of lighting a fire in the gas chamber (not the firebox) and plug the ones that are open and see if I can burn it out. I have the unit filled with water as I have been testing for leaks, after a few days so far so good.
Any known chemicals I can pour in and dissolve it?

[coolidge]

Ahhh gotta use coke a cola on those, used for other cleaning aides.   

Got a weed torch, burn em out

[slimjim]

I have an idea that works well for me when I come across plugged boilers but you have to be very careful!

[Roger2561]

I have an idea that works well for me when I come across plugged boilers but you have to be very careful!

I'll be shutting down the 1400 this weekend and I know I'll find some of the primary air holes plugged, I always do every year.  Please share with me your idea, I'm always willing to try something.

Roger

[slimjim]

I use a piece of fish tape or septic cleaning tape cut to length in a drill with a guide made from pipe, it bangs around in the cavity and breaks up the creosote, be careful though because if it gets loose on you it can be very painful, don't ask how I know!

[Roger2561]

I use a piece of fish tape or septic cleaning tape cut to length in a drill with a guide made from pipe, it bangs around in the cavity and breaks up the creosote, be careful though because if it gets loose on you it can be very painful, don't ask how I know!

When you say fish tape, do you mean the type that electricians use to fish wire through walls or conduit?  Roger

[slimjim]

Exactly, the larger stuff that is used for septic drains also works well for larger areas.

[dave_dj1]

well I cut about three feet off my fish today and stuck it in the cordless drill. It worked! On about two or three of them I was able to push the fish down through, gave them a few spins and cleaned them right out. The really stubborn ones I had to coerce the tape in and slowly spin it until it broke free. I forgot to mention yesterday that I pulled some news paper that I could read out of one of the tubes! It was almost as if they were deliberately plugged them. It's no wonder the owner hated it.  LOL
Thanks for the advice.

[E Yoder]

Awesome. Great idea slimjim.

[aarmga]

Slim that is an excellent idea.  I did this with an air duct cleaning spindle.  It connects to your air compressor and spins the end with what looks like weed eater string.  Your idea seems so much more simple and much cheaper.

[slimjim]

Thanks guys, neccesity is the mother of all inventions you know!