The owners manual describes servicing the coalescer in the maintenance section. Does anyone know what this is? I've been waiting for a discussion to come up but it hasn't yet.

 

I'm just reading up on the principles of operation. These are typically used in the oil and gas industry to separate oil and/or water from compressed air.

Is this a crank case ventilator of some sort that removes water from the air in the crank case? If so, what is water doing in there in the first place.

 

This is from Wikipedia. I had the general idea but your post brought the detail to light.

A coalescer is a technological device performing coalescence. They are primarily used to separate emulsions into their components via various processes; operating in reverse to an emulsifier.
There are two types of coalescers. Mechanical coalescers use filters or baffles to make droplets coalesce while electrostatic coalescers use DC or AC electric fields (or combinations).


In plain English, it takes foreign dissolved or emulsified contaminates out of the fuel or oil in this case, I believe especially water.

 

I had asked about it in the owners manual thread but never got a response. I didn't see any mention of it in the maintenance schedule.

 

I'm thinking Dan may be the only person with experience with these. The maintenance pages above show how to replace the filter element but it doesn't give a frequency. I'd hate to think this is something to be done at every oil change. Added cost and another step. I also can't find any parts online yet.

Kind of like locating DEF back in June 2010. A lot of blank stares for a few months.

 

I'm assuming that is a more "thorough" CCV filter. My guess would be to take more vapor out to help knock emissions down more. Again, just guessing. If Dan doesn't know, I'll try to text someone.

 

Emissions, ahh, the pieces are coming together. Thanks for following up. This is a new thing so it would be nice to know the service frequency and what exactly it does.

 

Dan only hangs out in Josh's We Own Work thread from what I have seen. lol

 

A little research indicates the fuel water filters have been classified as coalescer for several years. The F-550 and F-650 have shown this same filter in the 2016 manual but I have still not found a source for the element. There was some chatter back in the spring about increased fuel water separation and this could be an answer to that problem although much is also said about keeping the frame mounted separator clean and drained, in fact changing that element every 15,000 miles is recommended. The CNG/LPG also use a coalescer filter in the gas lines although they have not turned up either in searches so far.

 

The F-550 and F-650 are two different platforms. This filter is not something I have had any dealings with unfortunately. As of now, all I have experience with or have dealt with are the typical 2 filters that are along the frame rail and the one on top of the engine. I can look into one tomorrow when I get a chance and see if it's something that we just haven't had to change/work with yet.
I am willing to go to any thread where there's questions, just don't have time to search thru them. Feel free to invite me wherever I may be able to help.

 

In performance cars we use a oil coalescer between the PCV valve and the forced induction intake to keep any oil coming through from fouling up the intake.

 

Yeah except you call them a catch can. Ain't't need nothing for none them fancy words.

 

I've been looking into it for you guys. according to the ford service manual that your dealership mechanics would look it up under, it's referred to as the crankcase vent oil separator. A friend that works in the Diesel engine garage believes that it requires service at 70,000 miles but is looking into more information on it. I just figured I would post this morning to let you guys know I am looking into it further.

 

Good to know information for which there is very little on line at this point. Thanks!

 

Thanks Dan. Interesting how Ford introduces new technology and forgets to tell anyone about it. Removing oil and water vapor from the crank case can only be good (if that's what it actually does). The oil would last longer and the engine internals would have less exposure to damaging moisture.