I just recently changed my coolant filter for the third time. I thought it would be fairly clean. I was wrong. I just drained the filter into a jar and got about 2 tablespoons of sand and grit. I have not yet cut the filter open to see how much more is there, but I will.

I took the jar and showed it to the head of my dealership's service department. He had not heard of the coolant filter before. He was quite amazed at all the debris. I was at the dealership primarily to get my front door window seals and windows replaced due to scratches. He had not heard of this TSB, so I gave him the number and the warranty work is scheduled - THANKS FTE!!!! He asked if he could have the jar of grit after I finished with the pictures. Wonder why???

Background:
Installed coolant filter Dec, 2006 at 2942 miles
Changed coolant filter Feb, 2007 at 6448 miles
Changed coolant filter Aug, 2007 at 14,966 miles
Changed coolant filter Jan, 2008 at 24,442 miles

This is probably nothing new to many, but I really did expect this change to show a pretty clean system. I was ready to change to the shorter, more convenient, filters. I will wait until the system gets to be nearly free from the debris.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=175826&.jpg

 

about how many miles was on that filter when changed. i need to get this mod as soon as i get some extra $$

 

Wow after 3 changes I am surprised also. I just put one on my truck about 2 weeks ago but after seeing your picture it just confirms why I did it.

 

Just got mine cant wait to install tomorrow. i have about 22k on my 07 better late than never to install one of these. i also went to the dealer about my scratched windows they didnt know about the TSB either another thank you to FTE they ordered my trucks windows about a week ago waiting on them to get them and install them and change the strip on the bottom. they also said they are going to reinburst me for my tints. We'll see about that.

 

Note - edited original post to include mileage info

 

im curious if the coolant filter mod like this would void any warrenty work if an issue arose??....

 

I specifically asked the head of the service department about this. He said absolutely NO, it will not void warranty's.

HOWEVER - I will say that when I showed him the jar of grit and showed him the filter, he opened the driver's side door and wrote down the VIN number. This was after I had showed him the windows and the TSB number. Hopefully he was writing down the number to get the correct window parts OR to check on the purchase date for the verification of warranty applicability, (etc). I have a fairly good dealership service department - BUT, they are EXTREMELY sensitive to all the after market mods. In fact, they get angry over it.

I would suggest you go talk to the service department, show them the articles and pictures. No one can LOGICALLY say it would void the warranty on any components. They should see that if the filter plugs, then the bypass flow is restrictyed - no restriction of the regular coolant flow to engine components.

 

I've had the coolant filter for 3 years now and my dealer does not have a problem with it and yours shouldn't either!

 

I skimmed off the coolant and dried it out and took this picture. It almost looked like there is metal in the debris, but very little of it was magnetic (and I used a rare earth magnet).

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg305/bismic1/FTE%20Pics/P1011430.jpg

 

I think you need a flush!

Literally.. I'm running a coolant filter and I have nothing in my system.. After my first filter change, there was maybe a hairs size of gunk.. 2nd filter, nothing worth enjoying.. 3rd was empty..

If your pulling THAT much out of the 3rd filter.. Something aint right.. Might need to flush the system out..

 

What is that stuff if not metal?

What does a "flush" intail?
Can I do it at home, to "flush" all this coolant crap?

 

[QUOTE=bismic]I skimmed off the coolant and dried it out and took this picture. It almost looked like there is metal in the debris, but very little of it was magnetic (and I used a rare earth magnet).


Bismic is the reason why a coolant filter is a good idea on these trucks. Not all of them may have this much debris but how are you going to which one does and which ones do not. As long as the filter is doing its job why do a coolant flush. The grit that he is finding could be casting sand.

 

Look at the amount of that.. Its incredible.. I've had 3 other guys with Coolant Filters, 7.3L and 2 6.0's including mine.. Spanned across different years.. None of them had that much gunk..

 

Could that stuff be non-ferrous metal such as aluminum? Such as a water pump self destructing?

 

Thats very possible...