OK, maybe it is not a scam - that may be too harsh a word, but I did buy into the hype and I did waste my money. I won't mention company names, but there are several FTE posts about how much junk and sand so and so got out of their coolant and how tickled they are with the performance of their new coolant filter.
My 2003 6.0 has 33,000 miles. The coolant looks pretty nice in the reservoir, but I installed the filter and ran it for 3,500 miles. I pulled the filter off today and installed the new one. I couldn't wait to cut the old one apart and see how much crap it picked up. Talk about complete disappointment. Some folks might think that's just fine - better safe than sorry - an ounce of prevention - or whatever your favorite saying is. I feel ripped! There was HARDLY ANYTHING on the filter media. I have a buddy who was waiting to see all the stuff that came out of my coolant before he laid down his own money and he was laughing his you know what off.
I can already imagine all the replies as to whether I installed the filter correctly. Please, it is fairly straight forward - cut into this line and install "T" fitting. Run hose to filter housing. Take hose from housing and "T" into return line to reservoir. If I have it wrong, please someone give me the 411.
People who read my posts know I'll be the first one to say, "oops, my bad" if that's the case.
I didn't want to put any company down, but I did think it fair to lay out my experience if it saves another person money.

 

I installed one, and after quite a few miles, like you, couldn't wait to dissect mine. I did and think i found like one grain of sand. Sure it may have pulled something out that's not visible, but I tore that filter apart and really found nothing. Kind of disappointed myself.

 

Well, all I can say is it works on mine. The first filter I changed out was full of sandy like material. Some say part of it was from the sand casting and some of it was silica falling out of suspension from the gold antifreeze. Either or both is OK by me. I didn't want it circulating through the system. The first filter had a lot of sand, the second had very little but enough to see with no problem. The third one is still on and flowing fine. I'm happy with the system and have no complaints.
Joe

 

i would have to say the "better safe than sorry" motto here. My first filter didn't even make it a 3 months on the truck before it was not flowing anymore and i changed it. Tons of sand and other material in it, you could see it running out when i just turned the filter upside down.

 

You guys need to keep your coolant cap on when you hit the dunes - Kidding. I've heard lots of guys with the sand and that's why I bought one. Just odd that mine was essentially clean after 3,500 miles. Did anyone have anything to say about the install? I mean it really is easy and foolproof right, so I couldn't have screwed it up.

 

Where did you install the T fitting compared to the valve on the heater core line? If you installed it between the valve and the heater core, and have been running your AC on max since you installed it, then you haven't ran very much coolant through the filter. Just a guess, but I could be wrong. I haven't changed my filter out yet, but I will be soon.

 

If the system is clean to begin with, you are using distilled water to mix your coolant with, and if you are not using Prestone antifreeze, The main reason for the filter is the replenishment of the additive package if you are using the filter that has that feature in it.

 

I'm using the Ford "gold" coolant. I think they stopped using prestone with the 7.3 but I'm only guessing at that. I did not purchase the filter system with the intent of replenishing the additives. I'm using a Baldwin filter, but in any case, the sales pitch was that the filter removes "stuff". Thats the reason I purchased it.

Beerstalker, I intsalled the "T" adjacent to the tranny and engine oil fill tubes. I see some kind of vaccum actuated device and my "T" is between that and the rusty metal tube that goes down into the block somewhere...I'm guessing. Between that vaccum part and the metal tube, the rubber hose is only 8 or 10 inches. That's where I put 'er.
My truck is 2003 6.0 Superduty.

 

Scroll down on this link to Dieselsite and you can see where they recommend the installation of the 'T': www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=324


Picture courtesy of Jeff Cook and Dieselsite.

 

Thanks for the feedback Drew, this is the first post that I have seen commenting on this type of filter. I haven't seen one that says "Wow, look at all the sand that I filtered out...". I would be upset too. I have not considered the filter mod yet, but if I did I would just get a generic filter and housing from Napa for $20 (which I have used for hydraulics and fuel and such on tractors). Now, I likely wont bother. I can get a couple grains of sand out of the system with a coolant flush.

 

Thanks for the link Kepler. That is exactly where I have my "T" installed and I think I have it done up right.
Ed, the reason I originally posted was just to put my experience out there to even the information available. I suppose it's good that I have the filter, but I could have done without it. I get caught up in the gadget craze like everyone. I know now that I won't be changing filters at every 3,500 miles though. I could probably go 15,000 easy.
Glad my experience could help you.

 

I don't remember anyone thinking the coolant filter should be changed every 3500 miles. I think they just suggest changing out the first few earlier because they will be pulling out the most stuff, after that even the dieselsite mentions just changing it once a year.

I'm also kind of wondering if the fact that your truck already had 30,000 miles on it when you installed the filter might have something to do with it. Maybe all the stuff in your coolant has already baked onto engine components or sedimented up in the degas bottle to the point they aren't floating around much?

I have to say you and TNT are the first people I've heard say that they were not impressed by what the filters removed from thier systems (I definitely belive you though). There have been quite a few that have posted their filter pics in the 6.0L forum and it convinced me. I will probably change out my first one in the next few weeks and I will definitely be cutting it apart and posting pics (in here if I can remember).

 

I cut mine apart using a sawzall at first to just get through the metal, then used sheet metal snips to cut the bottom off and everything just falls out. I know they have a fancy tool, but my way was cheap since I already had those tools. Let us know what you get out of yours.

 

drewworm,

i previously asked when would i know that it's time to change the filter. 1st three at 3 month intervals and then was told when the flow stops completely in the degas bottle or when you feel the filter it's self is cool (not flowing fluid). i'm on my second now and i've had my system for only about 4 months or so. 1st filter only lasted 2 months before it clogged.

 

You have to remember that the coolant filter works on a bypass basis. I think something like 5% of the total coolant flow flows through the filter at any given time. Additionally, the lower the mileage on your rig or any maintenance that resulted in coolant loss/replenishment will mean less garbage that will be in your coolant.

I agree with Beer in that I haven't seen any mileage recommendations on a filter change interval. I have seen some rough calendar time recommendations but those are just for guidance since the amount of sand/particulate that will be in the coolant will vary from engine to engine over a set amount of time. Personally, I just keep a check on mine by seeing if the filter and return line leading from the filter mount are getting hot. I check it when I'm checking my oil level not too long after shutting down. If both the filter and return line are hot, then flow is present and no need to change the filter. If they're not hot, then it's time for a filter change.

I can't say I've changed one for lack of flow. However, I did change the first one after about 6 months (approx 12K) and there was some sand/particulate in the filter. Not a lot mind you, but some. However, I wouldn't look it as wasted funds. Consider yourself fortunate that your system is "clean" and should remain so with your filter installed.