Checking ECM Circs For Iron Particle Buildup

D107

Had new Peerless cast iron boiler installed almost four years ago. We have a an Adey Magnaclean Professional 2XP filter on it. Last tuneup was done June 2020. Waterways thoroughly cleaned, de-mineralized, additive put, pro water analysis tested good considering old gravity conversion. A quick-test device even now shows no appreciable build-up or iron particles. (there is some collection of particles in bottom of the reverse indirect, lowest part of the system.)
In June 2020 I had the tech check the volute of the reverse indirect circ, and there was a slight iron film buildup on it, which was cleaned off. Magnaclean after a year showed minor black buildup, which was also cleaned up. Never had the heating circ volute checked.
My question is, knowing that ECM circulators are known to be sensitive to iron particles, what kind of a buildup would constitute a potential problem for their running smoothly? How often should volutes be checked and cleaned?

hot_rod

The issue is IF the magnetite gets into the space between the rotor and rotor can. It’s a bit more complicated to split the circulator apart at that assembly. It’s the powerful magnet in the rotor that attracts the magnetite l, and can slow down or lock up the rotation.

The volute really doesn’t tell much. The mag separator crud would be a better indicator.

With that separator I would not expect to have magnetite issues, and with the precautions you have taken it should be a moot point

if nothing showed up on the clean out, the less you open the system the better, as O2 gets in when exposed to atmosphere 

D107

@hot_rod thanks, very helpful. I guess ECMs have not been around long enough to know their average life expectancy, but it seems preventive waterway maintenance and filtering is best bet rather than taking apart circ every five years....

hot_rod

I think the magnetic separation product development was directly related to the introduction of permanent magnet wet rotor circs.  Without a dedicated mag separator, the ECM can take on that function😗

Prior to that, oil drain plugs were the other common application of magnetic partical removal.