Clean Radiator Modification

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Dec 2, 2005 | 07:15 AM

pamelbert

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Clean Radiator Modification

I took off my grill and placed a bug screen over the grill frame. I also did the ram air (zoodad mod) and then replaced the grill. This has kept the radiator clean and large particles out of the intake. See my gallery for pics.

Dec 2, 2005 | 04:18 PM

Colorado-native

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From: LaPorte, CO

You can slip a 3 x 3 foot square of window screen down in front of all the radiator/coolers without removing anything. Then zip tie top and bottom. I always do that to my new truck and have never had a problem with overheating. Just spray the screen off when you wash the truck.

Dec 2, 2005 | 04:36 PM

Mustang42

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From: Reno, NV

This is a great idea. Have you had any overheating while towing heavy?

Dec 2, 2005 | 04:55 PM

Beachbumcook

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In my gallery, I posted a few pics of my "poorman's radiator screen".

1) I removed the front grill (4 screws on top and 4 clips on bottom).

2) Place grill upside down on a blanket (stops scratches).

3) Lay silver/stainless window screen from Home Depot over ebtire opening.

4) Rough cut to fit and bend over edges and makes it easier to work with.

5) Mold and bend screen over inner edges and secure with black zip-strips.

6) Use a small blade or punch to "open" a small hole to run the zip-strip through.

7) Use enough zip-strips to hold securly when driving done the road (wind-pressure).

8) Re-install grill and you are good to go. Installed this spring and never a problem with rocks, bugs or cooling.

Visit my gallery for pics...

Good luck,

Jeff

Dec 2, 2005 | 04:59 PM

Beachbumcook

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelbert

Be careful with the Zoo-Dad mod.... with it "wide open" like that you can get snow and ice in there and as it freezes going down the road it will restrict your intake of air into the filter. The blue media shown in your picture is the filter itself and fortunately it is the stock "blue" synthetic media, but Ford even had a TSB out for their SD trucks about ice and snow blocking the stock set-up... so again, be careful if you live or drive in snow or ice.

Here is Ford's TSB:

Water Injestion/Snow Packing/Ice Build-Up in the Air Induction System:
Some trucks equipped with a 6.0 engine may exhibit a trouble code P0103 for the Mass Air Flow sensor circuit. This may be due to water or snow getting into the air cleaner assembly or ice building up in the air cleaner. The check engine lght will only illuminate on Califronia emissions vehicles. To service, check the air cleaner for restrictions, inspect the filterminder and MAF sensor for damage and/or loose wires or damaged/corroded terminals. The MAF sensor should be diagnosed before replacement. Broadcast Messages 1000, 1103.

Great looking truck.

Jeff

Last edited by Beachbumcook; Dec 2, 2005 at 05:06 PM.

Dec 3, 2005 | 07:57 AM

pamelbert

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I live in Texas, probably won't have snow issues, but thanks for the info, as far as towing I only have two small trailers I pull occasionally. No overheating problems. I like that coolant filter setup!!

Dec 3, 2005 | 10:03 PM

Beachbumcook

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelbert

The coolant filter is the best mod I could recommend to everyone. We filter our air, oil and tranny... so why not our coolant? After only 6,000 miles I had a lot of casting sand in the filter and that was flushing the system 5 times with distilled water before installing it!!!

Check out dieselsite (dot) com for more info... they posted my pictures after I changed my filter as I was impressed with what it "cleaned out" of my system. Just wish I had done it sooner.

Jeff