Those that have them, are they worth it? Is it an easy install? I know that the 6.0L doesn't have one on them from the factory. You will have to excuse me, as I only know the basics of car maintenance, I don't want to get in over my head, if I choose to get one.

Thanks in advance.

 

Any additional filter is nice to have, but is it necessary, no.

Most diesels require a chemical additive (SCA) in the cooling system, and this needs to be replenished. The purpose of these filters (they contain SCA) is to recharge the cooling system with this chemical.
The 6.0 doesn't require this chemical in the coolant. You can buy filters without SCA if you choose to in stall a filter on your truck.

 

Maybe for EXTREAM duty....most of us ...no..~!~

 

A coolant filter is cheap insurance to help your water pump live longer. IH (International Harv) puts coolant filters on the other 6.0 liter versions for good reason. Ask a few 7.3 owners how long there waters pumps last on average? The 6.0 is no different. Sand used in the casting process "leeches" out and ends up hurting parts. Check out the sediment in your overflow tank, its sand.

Do you HAVE to use one, No. But at about $100 why not use one to help protect a $$$ truck investment.

Wekiwa

 

So who builds and sells a good one for the 6oh, and one that most guys at home can install.

 

I've been looking at the one on www.dieselsite.com.

 

[QUOTE=opposable]I've been looking at the one on www.dieselsite.com.[/QUOTE]

Yes Bob & Co make a very easy kit that anyone can install in about 1 hr.
ps- Get the ball valves so changing the filter is a clean & easy process.

Wekiwa

 

Tim,

I have the dieselsite.com coolant filter.

The dealer replaced my lower radiator hose at 30,000 so I ended up with fresh water and fluid (1/2 capacity at least). I added the coolant filter at 51,000 (after flushing 5 times with distilled water - dealer used tap water and all do according to my local Ford dealer).

The dieselsite.com coolant filter took about an hour and uses a Baldwin brand filter which is a quality coolant filter.

I had sediment and "stuff" in the bottom of my degas bottle... so it was an easy mod for me to buy and install.

We filter the air, oil and tranny on our trucks... so why not the coolant??

Jeff

 

Jeff have you got some pic's and could you do a write up for the tech folder on the how to's and why's
Worries and concerns when doing the job.
What did you pay…

 

Tim,

Let me work on it (I am on the road traveling). I will email you the photo's from my home computer.

Cost was $130.00 for the entire kit and this included the optional "ball valves" so you get no coolant loss when changing the filter (except for what is in the filter). The website I purchased from was the dieselsite.com and the were great!!!

Jeff

 

Thanks BBC, I'm going to look in to one of those for my truck.

 

Coolant Filter Install - 6.0L PSD Only Install - (Dieselsite.com brand)(Other filters and set-up sold for 7.3L motors - call Dieselsite)

1) Order from Dieselsite.com (888-414-3457) - Bob Riley is his name. Everything needed is included with this kit. I even called on the weekend and he answered when I had an "install question" while installing!!!

2) One can flush their systemn prior to install to ensure good radiator fluid and water (Ford recommends distilled water)!!!! Flush several times with distilled water to ensure that no old coolant exists. I refilled with distilled water each time and drove truck until temp gauge came up (thermostat opened) and drained 5 times doing this procedure. After 5 times (3 - 4 gallons each time) all that remained water 100% distilled water in my system.

3) Drain radiator (lower hose) one last time, reconnect and install coolant filter. Or one may just install coolant filter and top off system with 50/50% distilled water and coolant.

4) Mount coolant filter with supplied bracket to left side of radiator - uses existing holes. Loosen the upper radiator bolt that goes through the rubber grommet under the battery cable. Slide the notched section of the bracket up behind the rubber grommet. Attach the center bolt with the large washer behind the radiator support (I recommend ther use of locktight on all threads or lock washers).

5) Attach all ball valves, clamps and the like to filter housing and install the spin-on filter onto the housing (use teflon tape on all threaded connections).

6) Install filter and housing assembly to the filter braket that is to the left of the radiator.

7) Route the outlet line over the fan shroud to the upper radiator air bleed line and connect with the supplied "tee". Connects into small line that runs from top of radiator to the degas bottle. Cut rubber hose for exact fit, as balance of use will be used later. No need to make any longer than need be as this will allow for movement and rubbing and may make the next connection to short?

8) Connect the "inlet" line to the heater hose that runs right behind the oil fill tube (large heater hose and only one right there). It is difficult to cut a straight cut and install the custom supplied "tee", but it will fit and work. I made this last cut and install in case I screwed up somewhere else... my truck would still be drivable. Install "tee" and cut hose to fit from heater hose to inlet of filter housing.

9) Now that all is installed, double check everything and either start truck or if you drained your system, add straight coolant up to the quantity to give your total coolant capacity the 50/50% mixture you need for max protection. By adding straight coolant to the 100% distiled water, you will get the proper 50/50 mix needed. I ran the truck slightly to now ensure proper coolant level and topped off with coolant and distilled water to maintain the 50/50 concentration.

10) Run truck until thermostat opens and coolant mixs with water and fills newly installed filter. Wait until motor is cool and keep topping off degas bottle until at the "cold fill" line and t ensure all air bubbles are out of the system.

11) If only installing the coolant filter, just top off system to ensure all bubbles and levels are where they need to be.

Ford recommends that the coolant be changed every 100,000 miles if using distilled water and 50,000 miles if using tap water. Only the use of Ford Premium Gold Coolant is necessary (not sure if after market brands yet meet this standard)? No extra additives are needed for the 6.0L cooling system of with the Premium Gold coolant.

12) Dieselsite.com recommends changing your filter every month or so if installing into a current system and probably longer if you have flushed either now or recently. Flow can always be checked by looking at the degas bottle and seeing bubbles and water flow from the small hose (return line of filter into degas bottle). If flowing... filter still good. If no flow, filter is plugged and needs to be replaced.

COMMENTS:Keep in mind that this set-up is a by-pass system and even when plugged, your motor is still circulating coolant as it did prior to the install of the coolant filter. The additional purchase of the "ball valves" allows for shutting off the flow when changing the filter so as not to drip or slightly drain the system. Makes for cleaner filter change. Total cost to order with ball valves and shipping was around $130.00. The Dieselsite system uses Baldwin brand filters and are quality and can be found at several locations on the web or locally. I felt good that I was not locked into 1 brand type.

Remember, we filter the air, oil and transmission of our trucks, why not the coolant? It removes sand from when this motor was casted, oil that may seep into the system, hard water/calcium deposits and other "stuff" that was on the bottom of my degas bottle when I installed!!

Good luck and please check out the pictures of my install in my gallery.

Time to install would have been 1 hour with filter install, or half a day with 5 coolant flushes and install of filter. I had 50,000 miles on my truck when flushed and installed therefore I went all the way and wanted to do it right. It is never to late to install a coolant filter, but sooner is always better than later.

Keep in mind that these instructions apply to this brand of coolant filter and all necessary hardware and connection "tees" are supplied. I am sure other brands exist (and they do), but I was not impressed with the steps, extra materials and supplies needed and "off brand filters used). However, the basic install would be the same.

Good luck to all and enjoy,

Jeff
Beachbumcook

2003 Excursion Ltd. 4X4
6.0L PSD Motor
Build Date - March 1, 2003
54,000 miles as of August 2005
(Problem Free Except for Reflashing)

 

Tim,

Have not heard from you since emailing the pics and posting the directions for installation.

Are you going to update the "sticky thread" for "tech folder"?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

I am working a ton, will try to get to it next week, real bad time right now to get extra stuff done...no worry I will.

 

Jeff,

Thanks for the write-up... Just in time too. I should be getting my coolant filter within the next couple of days, and with what everyone says (your write-up included) I can schedule my installation for a "after work" project... Thanks again...