DIY Coolant Filter?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
Well, I finally got together all the parts to do my coolant filter, other than fab'ing the bracket and buying the hose.
So I don't know why I didn't check this before, but I called my local dealer (largest in my area) and spoke with the service manager. I asked him if installing a coolant bypass filter would affect my warranty. He said: absolutely! He went on to say Ford is cracking down on the dealers for just about any warranty work on a 6.0, and he'd have to deny warranty on any related part (pretty much anything related to cooling by the coolant), or face trouble with Ford if they audit a job and catch the filter on there. He said they routinely check on the expensive jobs like head gaskets, etc., now...
I explained to him how the filter works and is benign to the cooling system, and he just said: "wouldn't matter, it's a modification -- if it was a 7.3 it would be different...!"
I guess I have to wait another 3 years to install it...
So I don't know why I didn't check this before, but I called my local dealer (largest in my area) and spoke with the service manager. I asked him if installing a coolant bypass filter would affect my warranty. He said: absolutely! He went on to say Ford is cracking down on the dealers for just about any warranty work on a 6.0, and he'd have to deny warranty on any related part (pretty much anything related to cooling by the coolant), or face trouble with Ford if they audit a job and catch the filter on there. He said they routinely check on the expensive jobs like head gaskets, etc., now...
I explained to him how the filter works and is benign to the cooling system, and he just said: "wouldn't matter, it's a modification -- if it was a 7.3 it would be different...!"
I guess I have to wait another 3 years to install it...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,949
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
Yeah, I went on the Ford website and asked the question of them. I mentioned the fact that Navistar puts them on their applications of the 6.0, plus numerous other diesels have them as a preventative maintenance item. I also mentioned my primary reason was to keep the egr cooler and/or the oil cooler from clogiing with coolant sediment or casting sand... We'll see what they say...
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: SoCal, SD CO. East
Dan, PM sent
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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Also International blames many EGR cooler failures on low or improperly filled cooling systems containing air pockets.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,949
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Where did you get that information on International and the cooling system levels?
BTW Dan, when I've taken my truck in the Techs (Galpin and Tuttle-Click) didn't know or ask what the coolant filter was for. When I told them what it was they thought it was a great idea. Go figure...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,949
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
How ironic... since Ford mandates we keep the 6.0 coolant at the 'Min' level to avoid puking coolant!
Where did you get that information on International and the cooling system levels?
BTW Dan, when I've taken my truck in the Techs (Galpin and Tuttle-Click) didn't know or ask what the coolant filter was for. When I told them what it was they thought it was a great idea. Go figure...
Where did you get that information on International and the cooling system levels?
BTW Dan, when I've taken my truck in the Techs (Galpin and Tuttle-Click) didn't know or ask what the coolant filter was for. When I told them what it was they thought it was a great idea. Go figure...
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
My experience at Ford Service with my truck, an '05 Freestyle (turned in from lease! 
) and my '94 Bronco (still miss it...) are that the Service Advisors and Managers are not the people to discuss these things with, you really should go directly to the Certified Technicians. The guys getting greasy and turning the wrenches are far more likely to understand and work with you than the desk jockeys.
) and my '94 Bronco (still miss it...) are that the Service Advisors and Managers are not the people to discuss these things with, you really should go directly to the Certified Technicians. The guys getting greasy and turning the wrenches are far more likely to understand and work with you than the desk jockeys.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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Originally Posted by origcharger 
Actually Navistar quit putting coolant filters on any engine about 2001 when they went to ELC. They never put them on VT365s.
Also International blames many EGR cooler failures on low or improperly filled cooling systems containing air pockets.
Fords "MIN" level may not be low however.
International promotes using a special cooling system filling tool that assures complete cooling system filling without air pockets, the use of which lessens the chance of EGR cooler failure. International spokesman at a meeting this past week told us for best success with the VT365 to tolerate no coolant leaks which helps avoid EGR cooler killing air pockets and to stay on top of the oil changes. They also said one of the achilles heals of the VT365 is the cooling system is "plumbed" in series, a problem in one component effects flow to the others.
I can see where coolant filters can be a benefit as long as the installation does not contribute to an air pocket problem.
International quit using them becuase of the Extended Life Coolant, they did not want to chance having the precharged with additive coolant filters designed for conventional coolant mistakenly used and causing problems.
Actually Navistar quit putting coolant filters on any engine about 2001 when they went to ELC. They never put them on VT365s.
Also International blames many EGR cooler failures on low or improperly filled cooling systems containing air pockets.
International promotes using a special cooling system filling tool that assures complete cooling system filling without air pockets, the use of which lessens the chance of EGR cooler failure. International spokesman at a meeting this past week told us for best success with the VT365 to tolerate no coolant leaks which helps avoid EGR cooler killing air pockets and to stay on top of the oil changes. They also said one of the achilles heals of the VT365 is the cooling system is "plumbed" in series, a problem in one component effects flow to the others.
I can see where coolant filters can be a benefit as long as the installation does not contribute to an air pocket problem.
International quit using them becuase of the Extended Life Coolant, they did not want to chance having the precharged with additive coolant filters designed for conventional coolant mistakenly used and causing problems.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,792
Likes: 3,542
The coolant filter is still a great idea. My recomendation would be to install it and then you can either take it off when going in for service OR, once your coolant filters come back clean, you probably can take it off for good. Based on my experience, this is going to take at least 30,000 miles though!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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"The coolant filter is still a great idea."
I would tend to agree. If the VT365/6.0 cooling system is plumbed in series and restrictions in flow in one component directly effect the service life of the others, then less crud floating around in the system should be a good thing.
The warranty issue may come into play becuase its a modification and there are no Ford guidelines for components, location, mounting and plumbing of the filter.
I would tend to agree. If the VT365/6.0 cooling system is plumbed in series and restrictions in flow in one component directly effect the service life of the others, then less crud floating around in the system should be a good thing.
The warranty issue may come into play becuase its a modification and there are no Ford guidelines for components, location, mounting and plumbing of the filter.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,792
Likes: 3,542
For the DIY folks - get some hose AND valves rated for the temps. The hoses in my kit stuck TIGHT to the barbed connections and hardened. I am putting a VERY LIGHT film of high temp plumbing grease on the barbed connectors before I tighten them down. I do not want to have to CUT the hoses off again. So far, absolutely no leaks w/ this!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Well, I finally got together all the parts to do my coolant filter, other than fab'ing the bracket and buying the hose.
So I don't know why I didn't check this before, but I called my local dealer (largest in my area) and spoke with the service manager. I asked him if installing a coolant bypass filter would affect my warranty. He said: absolutely! He went on to say Ford is cracking down on the dealers for just about any warranty work on a 6.0, and he'd have to deny warranty on any related part (pretty much anything related to cooling by the coolant), or face trouble with Ford if they audit a job and catch the filter on there. He said they routinely check on the expensive jobs like head gaskets, etc., now...
I explained to him how the filter works and is benign to the cooling system, and he just said: "wouldn't matter, it's a modification -- if it was a 7.3 it would be different...!"
I guess I have to wait another 3 years to install it...
So I don't know why I didn't check this before, but I called my local dealer (largest in my area) and spoke with the service manager. I asked him if installing a coolant bypass filter would affect my warranty. He said: absolutely! He went on to say Ford is cracking down on the dealers for just about any warranty work on a 6.0, and he'd have to deny warranty on any related part (pretty much anything related to cooling by the coolant), or face trouble with Ford if they audit a job and catch the filter on there. He said they routinely check on the expensive jobs like head gaskets, etc., now...
I explained to him how the filter works and is benign to the cooling system, and he just said: "wouldn't matter, it's a modification -- if it was a 7.3 it would be different...!"
I guess I have to wait another 3 years to install it...