Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Coolant Flush

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 08:06 PM
  #1  
FORDSDOWNER's Avatar
FORDSDOWNER
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
Coolant Flush

Would me paying for a coolant flush now potentially prolong any egr issues do to the sand in the block? Trucks got 45k on it.

I guess the best method is just to purchase a coolant filter, eh?
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #2  
doubledee715's Avatar
doubledee715
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: ca
Yes. According to grampy_jim over on tds, coolant filters are "pointless". I'll try and dig up the post. If I had read it while I was in the market for one I would have never bought it. The tech that installed it for me even said that if he had a 6.0L he wouldn't put one on. Also, to get a full flush they have to drain the block.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 08:46 PM
  #3  
doubledee715's Avatar
doubledee715
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: ca
found it:

Click her for LINK

"Another poster alluded to adding a coolant filter... possibly in response to dslteks comments... Nothing would be gained since the debris that can cause grief is on the oil side of the oil cooler.... which sits in the reservoir for the HPOP. The only cure for this is if the tech takes the time to carefully inspect the new parts for any manufacturing defects and/or artifacts... Something he SHOULD be doing, anyway. After all, he IS the last step in the quality control process."
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 08:53 PM
  #4  
Kep4's Avatar
Kep4
Jäger
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Finding casting sand and other crud in the 3 coolant filters I've used for the past 30,000 miles on my 6.0 has convinced me otherwise. If it's in the filter it's not in the engine.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 09:50 PM
  #5  
doubledee715's Avatar
doubledee715
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: ca
Originally Posted by Kepler4
Finding casting sand and other crud in the 3 coolant filters I've used for the past 30,000 miles on my 6.0 has convinced me otherwise. If it's in the filter it's not in the engine.
Russ, how many miles did you put on your first coolant filter? I've probably got around 4k on mine and never worried about how often to change it since it is a bypass set up. I'm sure I should do it soon. lol
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 11:57 PM
  #6  
Kep4's Avatar
Kep4
Jäger
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Well, I'm suffering from CRS on the details but... I believe it was right at 5,000 miles for the first filter, and 10,000 miles for the the two thereafter.

The last one didn't have too much crud inside so I've let it go for awhile now, prolly at about 12K now so it's about due.

I might have a 'maintenance weekend' for the Sooper Doody after the 4th. I'll make it a point to carve open the coolant filter and report the amount of gunk inside, or lack thereof.

I'll admit I'm much more obsessive about oil/filter changes for the 6.0 and the TorqShift!
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 02:02 AM
  #7  
thedaddycat's Avatar
thedaddycat
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 2
The coolant filter may or may not help with the oil cooler but it will surely help reduce wear on things like seals and water pumps. I've also read posts about it keeping crud out of the coolant side of the EGR cooler. Cheap insurance in my book.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 05:17 AM
  #8  
doubledee715's Avatar
doubledee715
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: ca
keewwwlll. Thanks Russ.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 08:53 AM
  #9  
4x4Mark's Avatar
4x4Mark
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
I believe its a good investment - maybe because I have one - but I have seen some ugly reservoirs with respect to solid material in them. As the EGR cooler is downstream of the oil cooler, it makes sense that if the oil cooler gets restricted due to particulates, the EGR cooler is going to overheat and suffer.

I'd be curious how many people that put a coolant filter on early ended up having EGR cooler failures?

Mark
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 09:27 AM
  #10  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,872
Likes: 3,592
Club FTE Gold Member
I would think it would be very hard to associate lack of EGR cooler failures with coolant filters alone. I think very highly of Grampyjim at TDS, but as thedaddycat said, when you filter out sand, you are increasing the life of many components - just a no-brainer. I am puzzled by the statement that the oil cooler clogs up on the oil side. I just do not see how this could be the case, especially using synthetic oil.
FWIW:
I changed my coolant filter at:
3500 (lots of grit)
8500 (didn't look at it)
9000 (lots of grit)
3000 (it was clean, but did not cut it open)
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 02:46 PM
  #11  
doubledee715's Avatar
doubledee715
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: ca
cool thanks Mark. Looks like I am due.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 04:44 PM
  #12  
origcharger's Avatar
origcharger
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
For what its worth, International blames most 6.0/VT365 EGR cooler failures on low or improperly filled cooling systems containing air pockets. They advocate the use of a vacuum and fill cooling system tool. These tools use compressed shop air to place a vacuum on the system which you can use as a test for leakage, then after dropping fill hose in container of 50/50 coolant you switch a valve and your cooling system draws the coolant in till its totally filled with no air pockets.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 05:40 PM
  #13  
FORDSDOWNER's Avatar
FORDSDOWNER
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
Thanks for the help there all. I agree, it sounds like the best thing to do is to go external with a coolant filter.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 05:53 PM
  #14  
satcom40's Avatar
satcom40
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 1
From: Ct.
Where would you hook up the vacuum line. Does international have a wirte up on this.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 07:14 PM
  #15  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,872
Likes: 3,592
Club FTE Gold Member
Here is a link to "Draining, Filling, and Bleeding" procedures from the Ford service manual (I pulled it for an 06 - should be the same for the other years I would think). It lists a procedure using a "RADKITPLUS" (not sure what it does) and a procedure without the "RADKITPLUS". It doesn't mention any specific procedures to take to ensure the removal of air pockets and it doesn't list any "cautions" pertaining to it. I wonder if this is part of the unresolved issues between Ford and International or if the VT365 radiator/external components are different?

origcharger - I would love to read more on this if you can post links to more info!


2006 F-Super Duty 250-550 Workshop Manual
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:00 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE