Coolant Filter Change Interval
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Coolant Filter Change Interval
How often is everyone changing their filters?
Seems like I am going through them like crazy, about 1 per month if I do it based on mileage. I am on my 4th or 5th one, I assume I can step out the intervals at this point.
Seems like I am going through them like crazy, about 1 per month if I do it based on mileage. I am on my 4th or 5th one, I assume I can step out the intervals at this point.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
After the first couple of filters, I went to changing them annually. Around 15k miles. I added the filter several years ago when running conventional coolant. After another flush, and going to ELC, it doesn't catch much now. I always seem to have good return to the degas bottle. I'd monitor the return flow and change it only when needed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Even when running conventional coolant, precharged slow release filters can over charge the SCA's and cause waterpump failure. The SCA's need to be monitored when doing so.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 307
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From: thornton CO
I changed the first filter after 6k miles. It was still flowing pretty good but figured I'd change it any way. I cut it open and it wasn't very sandy at all.
When I made the switch to elc, I flushed the heck out of it...then I flushed some more.
Does your filter stop flowing, and that's when you change it?
When I made the switch to elc, I flushed the heck out of it...then I flushed some more.
Does your filter stop flowing, and that's when you change it?
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
I've never checked flow. My phone logs mileage and tracks maintenance. I just order a new filter when it says its time, which right now is set to 5k miles, which seems like overkill. I'm thinking I could change the interval to 15k.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 718
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From: Chattanooga, TN
Once you change the filter the first two or three times the system should be very clean. After that if you are using a quality ELC there should be no reason for the filter to catch anything substantial in size. I now change mine once a year and cut it open to see if there is something in there to be concerned about. You can check the flow by putting your hand on the filter - if it is very hot, then flow must be good.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: South Shore, MA
My first filter change had about 3000-ish miles on it... I literally poured sand out of the filter. I did my second change after another 4000-ish, again, sandy... but not nearly as bad. I'm on my third filter now. I'll run this one for a while before changing it - maybe 8-10k.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Holy cow! You guys are keeping the filter mfg in business. I changed my first one after I don't know how long, and the second one has been on there for years and at least 40k miles. You'll know when it's clogged when it no longer gets hot to the touch from coolant flow.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Holy cow! You guys are keeping the filter mfg in business. I changed my first one after I don't know how long, and the second one has been on there for years and at least 40k miles. You'll know when it's clogged when it no longer gets hot to the touch from coolant flow.
Andy hit that nail!
All else is gross over-kill. This is a BYPASS filter for the coolant!
Even if it clogs, and you don't notice it for a few months, so what!
Pop
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,112
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From: South Shore, MA
Holy cow! You guys are keeping the filter mfg in business. I changed my first one after I don't know how long, and the second one has been on there for years and at least 40k miles. You'll know when it's clogged when it no longer gets hot to the touch from coolant flow.
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