I never had any coolant pukes EVER before I put in a coolant filtration system. It's a popular one that many on here have. I also put in Sinister EGR kit at same time, and switched to SCT from my Edge. And before all of this I had ARP headstuds put in, and I also have 4" exhaust, no kitty.

So after the recent mods (filter system), I got a few coolant pukes. ALWAYS at the coolant cap. So Ford pressure tested it and said it was the cap. I had just replaced it with a new Ford one, but i did it again. And I seemed good for a short while, then it happens again. So instead of donating another $110 to Ford, i bought a new Ford degas bottle (coolant resevoir??). Still pukes. So I put on a Napa cap. The Napa cap doesn't have the postive stop where the cap still spins but doesn't tighten any further. So I just hand tightened snug-to-tight. Still pukes.

So I'm talking to a good friend who is a mechanic but not a diesel specialist. He asked why I bothered with filtration system and he thinks it's a waste and may be source of my issues. He also said it's more work for the water pump. I told him the theories on the sand from casting, etc,, and he raised an eyebrow and said no other diesels use them or need them.

I have no performance issues, other than I sometimes experience a jerking/lugging sensation when I'm loaded and pull hills, and my tranny hasn't kicked down to a lower gear. So if it tries to stay in higher gear and revs lower, it feels jerky, like we're being tugged. The moment it kicks down, that sensation goes away. I leave the auto tranny in tow haul and don't play with it manually, but if I was controlling it, I'd kick it down ealier than it seems to do on its own.

Anyways, does anyone else think the filtration system might cause or contribute to coolant pukes? I've replaced 2 filters inside of 5,000 miles, cut them open and they look clean to me.

THANKS for your feedback.

 

I don't see any way a coolant filter could cause you to puke,after all LOTS of guys here are running them (including myself) without probs. If I am understanding you correctly you did the EGR delete and added the SCT at the same time as the coolant filter? Is the SCT making more power than your old Edge? It has been said on here that proper cooling fan operation is dependent on the EGR system (i.e. unplugging the EGR valve can effect your fan operation),does your SCT have the EGR properly turned off ? Do you have gauges? (is the truck running hot?) Do you have the "updated sticker" on the degas bottle? (old Min. mark is new full) Make sure you are not overfilled.One way to rule out the filter being the cause is to turn off the ball valves (if equipped) and drive it but I'm sure that's not your problem. Just thinking out loud here to help you get to the bottom of this,hope it helps!!

 

I don't see a filter doing any harm. How could a bypass system cause any puking. Sounds like you could have a bad hg again. When you said you put in a sinister kit you were referring to a delete right? As far as no other diesel using a coolant filter your friend should do some research there are others that use one. Including (if you can imagine) the international version of the 6.0 (vt365?) I think is what they call it.

 

Well other things then egr coolers and hg's cause pukeing. Your mechanic could be right in a round about way. I'm guessing by your name your truck is a 04. 03's and 04's have a lower quality water pump. They updated it for the 05 model. The earlier model water pumps have a problem with the fins breaking off or the impeller breaking in half. This causes lower or no coolant flow. Adding a coolant filter does add a small amount more to the coolant system. So adding it may have slowed the flow enough to show signs of a bad water pump. Also your fan clutch and thermostat can cause pukeing too.

 

Agree with you on this. Could be a number of things.

 

No way. A bypass system adds no more load to the water pump. I would be looking at the egr delete and programming. If the program doesn't properly address the egr delete it will affect the fan function. You could possibly have a pump problem but it wasn't caused by the filter system.

 

wow, thanks guys, lots of good, quick responses!!

I have an '05 (sorry, i should update my sig). I read the stuff from the Ford tech (sorry, his name escpaes me, but he's super helpful & knowledgeable)...about the EGR valve being disconnected. So I re-installed the electrical connection on my EGR. SO the EGR is strapped on with a zap-strap and plugged in, but the plate is still blocking off the old valve location.

Yes, the sinister is a delete. On some sites, your posts get deleted for using the dreaded phrase "egr delete".

My SCT is custom tuned from Innovative Diesel. I run tow mode when i tow, and extreme when I'm empty. I only run extreme cuz they told me it runs good on that one and I don't put my foot in it or go too silly. The rare/occasional hard acceleration for a few seconds, and that's as hard as I ever floor it.

The temps are all great and I use my Edge to monitor that. Both oil & coolant temps are generally pretty close., They fluctuate a bit and go back and forth, but not prolonged extremes.

YES, I do have ball valves to change the filter easier. Will shutting those off allow the coolant to by-pass?

I think that answered everyone. If not, let me know and I'll provide more details.

 

Turning the valves off is just like removing the filter from the system....... no flow thru the filter t all.....or thru that hose from the heater hose.

 

to answer your last question; closing the ball valves on the coolant filter will act as there is no filter in the system.
many diesel engines use coolant filters, many come factory equipped.
there are several reasons to install one on a 6.0;
casting sand
silicate drop-out
block heater degredation
all of the above will clog the oil cooler.

if it were me i would back-up where you started before you had puking issues, check egr delete, worst case you could have another issue causing puking and everything just happened at the same time, my money is on your egr delete

 

what in an egr delete could cause the puke? it's a straight pipe bypass instead of a maze. or do you mean the valve on top? to tear into the top end to look at the egr bypass pipes is a lot of work.

my coolant filter has a ball valve on both sides of it (in & out). so if i shut off the 2 ball valves, doesn't that create a blockage along the flow line?

 

Only on the bypass section. Your normal coolant flow is never affected wether they are open or closed. It is a parallel path.

 

Yes - that's the purpose! That flow line wasn't in there originally....isn't that why you complained about it in your 1st post????!!!

 

I don't remember complaining about anything. I just asked a question and gave a lot of background info.

altho I am really tired of coolant pukes and being freaked out that i have head gasket issues or whatever...potentially stranding me on the side of the hwy with my toy hauler, toys & family (when I get my rare, few vaction days every year)...especially after I've spent tons of money to specifically prevent all of the problems and issues I'd heard about these engines. and I've been loyal to Ford products forever. and we all spent good money on these, so we have every right to expect them to perform well.

now you could say I'm complaining... or just stating what a lot of others think aswell.

 

You alleviated Ford's responsibilty when you tuned and modified the truck. And by modified, I am not referring to the coolant filter.

 

Don't feel bad - I just went through this same problem this past August while out STARTING what was to be a great camping trip up thru New England....had all the reservations and the first stop was the All- Truck Nationals.... less than 100 miles from home. Mine was bone stock with only 40,000 miles. Made the truck show and had to cancel the rest of the trip. Had the ARP studs put in as long as the heads were off....I was kinda lucky. Have a Ford ESP that covered most of the costs.......