Jandy LRZ Legacy Heat Exchanger Cleaning

[PDXErik]

Our sand filter sprang a leak after freezing last winter. Kicking up the pool after some fiberglass work to repair the filter, a TON of sand got pushed into the pool because one of the laterals on the standpipe was broken. This sand then got sucked up by Kreepy and made its way through the pump system, presumably back into the sand filter.

However, on the sand's way into the pool, it went through the heater.

The heater isn't heating like it used to, it's a 250k heater and would turn the hot tub (its point of entry into the pool) 110 degrees pretty quickly. Now, it is at ~90 max. I want to pull the heat exchanger out (if I have to) and clean the Crud out of it as I think there may be channels plugged with sand and gook. Is there a way to clean it without removing it? Is removing it a PITA? Are there special tools? Is this a good idea? I'm handy with tools.

TIA!!!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
I hope you did not attempt to repair the filter body. That is not safe. It is a pressure vessel. Replace, do not repair.

Let's see if @1poolman1 has some ideas on the heater.

 

[PDXErik]

NOW you tell me! A few weeks after the fact, it's holding, I guess we'll keep an eye on it. It was up to ~30psi before the last backwash (the pool was pretty bad before this). The filter itself is rated to 50 (before amateur patching). Lots of sanding and six laminations of fiberglass and perhaps a foolish attempt got lucky.

 

[mknauss]

Your choice. It should be put out of service and replaced.

 

[PDXErik]

Thanks for all of the help with the heater, Marty!