All of that "rust color" and coolant color has me concerned?

Considering you have done a flush and used VC9 (I personally do not use VC9, I use nothing)... I suspect that your coolant may still be contaminated or needs to be flushed again?

My coolant, before or after installing my coolant filter never had a rust color to it. It was always "gold" in color and the filter removed sand and other "deposits"... but nothing close to that color (nor have I seen anyone else post any photos of coolant that color).

QUESTIONS I HAVE:
1) Do you take oil samples and send them into Blackstone Labs? Just curious if you have some "blow-by" happeing and something is getting into the coolant?

2) I would consider having a pressure test done on you system to see if there is any leaks that would be letting combustion gasses into the coolant?

3) Maybe flush again with just plain distilled water (no VC-9) and make sure your thermostat opens in between each fill-up and drain to ensure proper water mixture movement?

4) Does your ELC coolant that you use have a different color to it and is it made for diesels (just asking as I do not use anything but Ford Premium Gold Coolant)?

It's clear the filter is doing it's job... but it is the color of the coolant that has be worried!!!

 

No, there wasn't any type a gooey stuff on the filter element. I have some of the element drying to see what could have been plugging it.

 

It is my concern also. On the original flush I did, it took forever to get the water to come out clear. Many, many gallons of distilled was used.

 

Why not a quick and dirty test (with a strip) for combustion products in coolant?

 

Good suggestion, will be going to a parts store this morning for test strips.

 

Just in case you want to find out all you ever not wanted to know about what is in the cooling system:

www.awt.org/certification/quiz1.pdf

Page 5 of this document list the common contaminants.

 

Do you have a name for the test strips per chance? I'm getting ready to roll to the parts house, and don't want to confuse them!

 

I've called the parts house and am ordering one of these.

Diesel Technician Society

 

That would work...

 

When I installed my coolant filter system my vehicle had about 50,000miles on it. Did the flush and coolant change and went threw 3 filters within the next 5,000 miles. You know your filter is plugged when they no longer get warm.

 

Earlier today (hit 68F here in Kansas City before it goes back to bone chilling cold again)... but my son and I flushed his 2001, F250, 7.3L and installed a dieselsite coolant filter.

I bought 18 gallons of distilled water and for his truck it took about 3-1/2 to 4 gallons per fill and drain.... and after the 4th time it was crystal clear (4 x 4 = 16 gallons with 2 left over to top off the system when done.

Dropped lower radiator hose, reconnected, refilled with 3-1/2 to 4 gallons of distilled water (with heater on)... drove until thermostat opened (make sure no air bubbles... let them work themselves out before you drive. Keep repeating this procedure 4 times. At the end of the 4th time... drop the lower hose, but refill with full strength coolant which will equal the quantity of a 50/50% mixture (keep in mind your engine block is all distilled water). We added the right amount of coolant and topped off with water... and he is good to go.

The 7.3L motor uses the older green coolant, but we flushed it real well and upgraded to the Premium Gold Coolant just like what "Daddy runs in his 6.0L". This means that my son will not have to check nitrite levels or add any more additves.... as you do to the green stuff.

As well, the coolant filter was an easy install.

With 150,000 miles on his 7.3L, I will be curious to see how his filter looks in a few thousand miles now that we have added the coolant filter (finally).

 

Well, I bought the tester for checking for exhaust in the coolant and good news, there isn't any in there.

I wanted to make sure the blue fluid was actually doing it's thing, so I had the truck running and went to the exhaust pipe and what do you know, the blue did turn yellow.

So, my next step this weekend will be to re flush the system and start over.

When I flushed the last time BBC, I used over 30 gallons of distilled. Drained into white buckets, and it never did get crystal clear. It did look that way pouring out of the lower rad. hose, but in the bucket, it still had color.

So, my plan is to run another 30 gallons through it and add the concentrate and call it done.

And wait for the next filter to plug!

Thanks to everyone with your advice.

 

amdriv...

You are far more industrious than I will ever be...

Congrats on the sheer hard work..

 

I would save some time and money and use the garden hose to flush (to clean)... then finish off with the distilled water to get back to only distilled water in your system.

Maybe open the petcock and allow it to drain, as well as remove the coolant filter and allow coolant to come out the filter housing (slowly if you have the ball valves)... while your letting the garden hose fill from the top end/degas bottle... the flow will be slow... but as long as you got fresh water going in as its going out... and the heater is on... and the motor running... hopefully things will start to clear up?

Maybe do the above after dropping the lower radiator hose 2 ro 3 times to speed it up... but using the hose will allow you to really flush it... then finish it off with distilled?

Just a thought(s) I had.

Maybe you have a Devil or Vampire truck.. and that's not rust but blood????

 

The garden hose option is not bad if you live in a place with not too hard water... where I am, you boil a cup of water, and you can see the scale in the pot.

The stuff comes off the kettle in 1/8" thick deposits...

So the idea depend a lot on local water.