Barnacle Buster versus CLR

[bob daily]

I usually pickle my heat exchanger in the boat every spring during my annual maintenance and de-wintering. I had purchased a gallon of Barnacle Buster as I do every year for this purpose.
The other day I was cleaning the shower heads in the house ( hunny doo’s ) and decided to soak one in the Barnacle Buster and the other in CLR, both were about the same amount of calcium buildup and soaked for the same amount of time.
To my surprise the CLR out performed and did a better job than the Barnacle Buster!
The Barnacle Buster was 4 times the cost of the CLR and did half the job.
Both have acid as the main ingredient, same environment impact and warnings.
Just another example of higher prices on a product if you label it for marine use!
Bob

 

[SKing]

What engine are you cleaning. And do you have a video of your process? Mine is a Vplvo 440, and I haven't done it yet.

 

[bob daily]

I have a R-21 2009 model with a Yanmar 3YM-30 engine. Yearly I clean the raw water heat exchanger using a cleaner.
My procedure is to close the raw water inlet, I have a hose attachment between the raw water filter and water pump I attach a hose to, and place the other end in a gallon of the Barnacle Buster and run the engine until the antifreeze has discharged and cleaner is starting to come out of the exhaust at which point I shut down the engine and let it set overnight!
The next day I usually service the engine and run fresh water through it. This is what I call pickling, it’s basically the same procedure as winterizing with RV antifreeze.
Hope this helps explain. Bob