Flood Coolant - how to maintain?

[Rich05]

I have 25 gallon container with Koolmist 40:1 mix . Right now my parts are coming out brown. I think the coolant has allot of oil and junk in it allready. I put a bubbler in the tank now I think need an oil seperator. does anyone have any cheap ideas for something that will drag the oil out?

also what esle do i need to do? thanks

R

[dertsap]

a shop vac can be used to skim the top or a few pieces of carboard soaks up the oil quickly , just lay them down on the top with the corrugated side down
ultimately you need a proper skimmer

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by dertsap a shop vac can be used to skim the top or a few pieces of carboard soaks up the oil quickly , just lay them down on the top with the corrugated side down ultimately you need a proper skimmer

Thanks for the good tip!

CR.

[Rich05]

thanks for tip.

what oil simmer would you reccomend? HOw about the "Skimpy" line?
R

[little bubba]

Rich, on a small sump, I've found a skimmer sometimes to be more of a pain that its worth. I've never used cardboard, but I think I might try it, papertowels work very well, and its quick. Hit it a couple times a week, and you're done, very little lost coolant.

Since you asked how you "maintain" you're coolant. Skim obviously. You need to skim after your coolant has rested, Monday morning is a great time, all the very small droplets of oil have time to come to the top. If your bubbler is running over the weekend it will screw this up.

Ideally you want to decant your coolant every couple of months or so. Pump it out into a barrel, and let it sit for a few days, small drops of oil to the top, very small fines go to the bottom(think abrasives). While your sump is empty get all of the muck out of the bottom, just scoop it out, no soaps or anything, this will screw up your bacterial balance. (remember its basically a fish tank, and should be treated as such). Now back to your barrel, suck off your oils, and then drain off the coolant, leaving the bottom inch or two(don't disturb it). What is in between the oil and the bottom inch is good clean coolant ready to go back in your machine.

If you want to see how much crap is in your coolant, just fill up a clear water bottle with coolant out of your nozzel, and let it sit for a few days. That will give you a good indication of how much oil and muck you have floating around in there.