Is a coolant filter worth it?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
here is a scary picture for you. Bought my truck used with 9,800 miles on the odometer in August 2011.
500 miles after installing the filter, I was too curious and cut it out. <11,000 miles on the motor total
doesn't seem like alot right? remember that is only 500 miles or so and the extreme low mileage of my truck. I'm scared/interested to see how it looks when I pull it at the 3,000 mile point for inspection.
btw, my EOT vs. ECT is 4-5F at speeds...I'm aiming to keep it that way
I've got the Sinister one. very good construction/quality. Paid $115 I think for it shipped. Had everything needed and came with pretty decent instructions as well
500 miles after installing the filter, I was too curious and cut it out. <11,000 miles on the motor total
doesn't seem like alot right? remember that is only 500 miles or so and the extreme low mileage of my truck. I'm scared/interested to see how it looks when I pull it at the 3,000 mile point for inspection.
btw, my EOT vs. ECT is 4-5F at speeds...I'm aiming to keep it that way
installed
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
There isn't much to be filtered in the coolant system and it is just another thing to have fail while on the road.
What happens when the filter plugs up? Overheated motor, on the side of the road, probably in the middle of nowhere. The coolant system doesn't like restrictions especially in the main path.
What happens when the filter plugs up? Overheated motor, on the side of the road, probably in the middle of nowhere. The coolant system doesn't like restrictions especially in the main path.
I have a quarter turn ball valve on my coolant filter system I can turn off, thereby blocking the coolant filter from getting any coolant, and continue driving with zero affect on the coolant system.
Vehicles have been fine for 100 years without a coolant filter, no need to start using one now (unless you have a 6.0 apparently). 
If a person is still using a conventional green coolant or the hybrid Ford "gold" coolant, then I'd STRONGLY suggest installing a coolant filter system because of the silicate drop-out that will eat up your water pump. If a person is running an OAT ELC coolant, not so much, because there is no silicate drop-out.
But like I've said a few times now, nothing but GOOD can come from having a coolant filter setup, even with ELC.
Stewart
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
As previously stated, nothing would happen since the coolant pathway isn't affected.
I have a quarter turn ball valve on my coolant filter system I can turn off, thereby blocking the coolant filter from getting any coolant, and continue driving with zero affect on the coolant system.
I would agree with you to a degree.
If a person is still using a conventional green coolant or the hybrid Ford "gold" coolant, then I'd STRONGLY suggest installing a coolant filter system because of the silicate drop-out that will eat up your water pump. If a person is running an OAT ELC coolant, not so much, because there is no silicate drop-out.
But like I've said a few times now, nothing but GOOD can come from having a coolant filter setup, even with ELC.
Stewart
I have a quarter turn ball valve on my coolant filter system I can turn off, thereby blocking the coolant filter from getting any coolant, and continue driving with zero affect on the coolant system.
I would agree with you to a degree.
If a person is still using a conventional green coolant or the hybrid Ford "gold" coolant, then I'd STRONGLY suggest installing a coolant filter system because of the silicate drop-out that will eat up your water pump. If a person is running an OAT ELC coolant, not so much, because there is no silicate drop-out.
But like I've said a few times now, nothing but GOOD can come from having a coolant filter setup, even with ELC.
Stewart
Thats all good stuff and I agree. But to me the risk of more possible leak locations and complexity isn't worth the questionable reward.
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
Stewart
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Thats all good stuff and I agree. But to me the risk of more possible leak locations and complexity isn't worth the questionable reward.
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
OR
Possibility of my oil cooler clogged with casting sand?
I choose filtering out the casting sand every time.
The way the bypass system is plumbed makes it simple to fix any foreseeable leaks with the onboard tool/repair kit.
You do carry a kit with tools, wire, hose clamps, serpentine belt, etc. Don't you??????
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
My X is all stock, I don't need tools for anything. Can't change the serp belt because ford ran the radiator hose threw it.
I think I have only been stranded twice in my life and have over a million miles under my belt.
One stranding was because of a incompetent mechanic that didn't reinstall ALL the line clamps on our 6.9 IDI which caused a injector line to crack.
The other stranding I don't even recall what happened. I may have only been stranded the once.
I am a firm believer in preventative maintenance in the shop BEFORE anything fails.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I bought a 7.3 to avoid problems like that. I did my research before purchasing the X and I guess you can consider it preventative research.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 209
Thats all good stuff and I agree. But to me the risk of more possible leak locations and complexity isn't worth the questionable reward.
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Yeah, when my belt gets old I will change the hose to the "around the belt" when I change the belt. Everything was just done on the X not long ago (fluid change, new belt, and stuff) so I am not to worried about it right now.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 5
Many many times you hear stories or see posts here about people saying "I started having problems with my after market (this or that) so I pulled it out and put the stock part back and have been running problem free for X amount of years". Point being most aftermarket parts aren't built to great standards like most/all OEM are. Adding any extra parts to fluid systems on vehicles increases a chance of a leak and leaks many times are standing/vacation ruiners.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 5
Didn't read all the replys, just wanted to throw my .02 in here.
From everything I read I would use one on a 6.0 (the pickiest motor in history). But that would be it, I wouldn't have a coolant filter on anything else. There isn't much to be filtered in the coolant system and it is just another thing to have fail while on the road.
What happens when the filter plugs up? Overheated motor, on the side of the road, probably in the middle of nowhere. The coolant system doesn't like restrictions especially in the main path.
Vehicles have been fine for 100 years without a coolant filter, no need to start using one now (unless you have a 6.0 apparently).
Maybe we should start filtering the differential fluid too?
From everything I read I would use one on a 6.0 (the pickiest motor in history). But that would be it, I wouldn't have a coolant filter on anything else. There isn't much to be filtered in the coolant system and it is just another thing to have fail while on the road.
What happens when the filter plugs up? Overheated motor, on the side of the road, probably in the middle of nowhere. The coolant system doesn't like restrictions especially in the main path.
Vehicles have been fine for 100 years without a coolant filter, no need to start using one now (unless you have a 6.0 apparently).
Maybe we should start filtering the differential fluid too?
I just ordered a filter base and 6 filters for my 7.3. I will be into the set up about $50. I don't give a damn about billet this or anodized that. I will be sure to post pictures of what I don't filter out of my coolant system. I will be the first to admit that I just got it back on the road after the Excursion sitting for 6 years. I know the coolant is toast and I want to be sure the system is cleaned out of as much garbage before putting in ELC back in.