Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Is adding a Coolant filter worth it??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 09:24 PM
  #1  
EcoboostKev's Avatar
EcoboostKev
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 7
From: Meriden,Ct
Is adding a Coolant filter worth it??

Just wondering if any of you 7.3L owners are using a coolant filter? I found this kit at a reasonable price and want to know if it's worth it to install or just a waste of $$ ?

Sinister Coolant Filter Kit 99-03 7.3L Ford Powerstroke
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 09:28 PM
  #2  
Thomas White's Avatar
Thomas White
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 588
Likes: 14
Yes.

Look around there are many on the market.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 09:50 PM
  #3  
aawlberninf350's Avatar
aawlberninf350
It's a Van Gogh
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
I'd say yes absolutely necessary if you run traditional green coolant. The precipitates will eat up the seals in the water pump and wear it out prematurely. And absolutely maintain the SCAs. For ELC there's no need, different chemistry so the precipitate doesn't happen. I'm running the Ford Gold coolant with a coolant filter, and did not see any precipitate on the first filter, see attached. If I do not see anything when I pull the current filter I'll yank the coolant bypass system. The coolant filter is a red flag to smog techs to look further for issues, and I'd like to avoid the scrutiny.

I think the 2001 is OK for ELC, but check it further. Using ELC with the wrong year can compromise the injector cup adhesive, bad juju.
 
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 01:18 PM
  #4  
hydro man 17's Avatar
hydro man 17
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 2
From: Hat Creek Ca
I'm pretty sure that anything after late '99 is good for CAT EC-1 rated ELC
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 02:11 PM
  #5  
Pitcrw6's Avatar
Pitcrw6
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 26
From: Panama City, FL
Club FTE Gold Member
I installed one on both my 7.3's when I changed to ELC and I still get casting sand in my filter. I think its a good investment.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 02:40 PM
  #6  
scotttahoe's Avatar
scotttahoe
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 2
From: North Lake Tahoe
I also think that it is a good investment. I changed my filter the first 100 miles and had a bunch of casting sand in it. Changed again at 300 miles, still sand but less. And again at a 1000 miles and very little sand. Now I do it every 5K miles with oil/fuel/air filter changes.

 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 07:40 PM
  #7  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
You know you can do this yourself for a whole lot less. The hardest part is the mounting bracket, but getting a small piece of steel and drilling holes it mount it really isn't much of a challenge. I would think Home Depot, an angle grinder and a drill, along with a wrench and nut driver and you're good to go.

Welcome to guzzle's Coolant Bypass Filter Mod Web Page
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 08:56 PM
  #8  
SRBF150's Avatar
SRBF150
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 33
From: Utah
I like this method:

http://www.dieselsite.com/1996-2003f...terpump-1.aspx
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 18, 2015 | 02:07 AM
  #9  
corksil's Avatar
corksil
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 202
Likes: 1
I bought the same kit and it has served me well.

Purchased the kit because of stop leak in cooling system from previous owner/idiot trying to fix broken injector cups with head-gasket-stop-leak.

After replacing injector cups and flushing cooling system 9000 times, I still found stop leak in the drain pan. Installed the coolant filter and switched to prestone heavy duty coolant and the truck is now running properly.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DavidE
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Jul 16, 2014 01:03 AM
Poorboy04
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Feb 27, 2013 02:42 AM
Punisher29073
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
43
Nov 10, 2012 11:15 AM
ruffneck22
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Feb 16, 2009 11:12 PM
gbotha
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Mar 10, 2003 07:34 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:09 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE