After reading a good article in the Jan.(2010) issue of Diesel World, I was sold on an external transmission filter kit for my truck. Today was the day. I drained/dropped/cleaned the trans pan, drained converter, replaced internal tranny filter and installed an external tranny filter with gauge from DieselSite today and went back with Mobil 1 synthetic fluid. Impressive kit with good instructions.

I used a 5 gallon bucket to hold the fluid so I would know how much to go back with. To replace what will come out of the pan(4x4) and the converter, will take 16 quarts to fill it back up......add 1 if you installed the external tranny filter.

The DP-Tuner "no start" tune came in handy (so it wouldn't crank) when I was bumping over the engine to find the drain plug on the torque converter.

If you get this filter, I highly recommend the gauge. Before I knew I had a small leak, you could see the needle on the gauge flunctuate a little. I checked all the connections and found out I didn't have one of the flared fittings tight enough. After I snugged it up, the gauge was steady.

Anyway, if your looking for a good article to read, check out "Rejuvenation by Filtration" in the Jan. 2010 Diesel World.

 

i used to run the same external trans filter on my truck but when i got the BTS trans put in they took it off and said i didnt need it anymore. its now riding piggyback on my father in law's truck.....

 

Which filter did you get and from where? Did you put it after the cooler? I read one article that said if you don't flush your cooler, then the filter should go after it to catch the junk coming out of it.

 

I got the filter kit from DieselSite(I guess their brand) and I read the same article you did. Per the instructions that come in the kit, I put it in the return line.

 

It seems to me that putting it in the return line guarantees that you'll likely clog all your coolers if/when you have a major trans failure.

However, if you HAVE had a failure, then by all means put it in the return line to keep anything already lodged in the coolers from getting back to your new trans.

So, I'd think that the answer about where to put it should be determined by whether you've already had a failure.

An in-line filtration system should lessen the chances of a major failure by keeping the fluid cleaner than just recirculating the same suspended wear materials over and over.

A couple of high-gauss magnets placed in the system somewhere couldn't hurt, either.

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According to the article, if the trans has any mileage whatsoever, an external filter should be installed in the return line.

BTW, why would it matter where it was installed if the tranny does fail? If it fails, no matter where the filter is located, it is still going to fail.

 

If installed in the lines going TO the coolers, you won't clog them with failed trans debris.

Different strokes for different philosophies.

Magazine articles are great for those who don't think it through for themselves. Most of the knowledgeable on this forum could write articles for magazines as well as those who are doing it, and in fact, some do.

Most just write here, though.....

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...and if the trans HASN'T failed yet, there's no reason to think there's anything in the cooler that will hurt the trans, since whatever's in there will be there with or without an external filter.

 

Although I'm new to Diesels, I'm no spring chicken when it comes to automotive repair. Being not only ASE certified, but Ford Certified for the last 30 years in several areas, I don't just believe everything I read. I don't let magazines "think for me", but if I read an article written and backed up with facts that come from research, I will listen. In other words, I'll never be too old to learn!

I think the manufacturer of the kit has the same idea as the author of the article. Maybe these guys know what they're talking about....since this is what they do....not just a hobby. If the vehicle has any time on the clock, some stuff is probably already stuck in the cooler. Thats why it is installed in the return.

I installed the filter per the instructions from DieselSite and I think Mr.Riley is a very experienced and reputable Diesel tech. If he says to put it in the return line, thats where I'm puttin it.

 

Yup. Bob's a good guy and very knowlegable. I buy stuff from him, too. In fact, I have one of his filter kits on the shelf in the garage to eventually install on momma's Pilot, when I get a round tuit.

The filter on my truck is made from the same basic components as Bob's kit, but I put it together myself, as I'm not sure he was even selling a kit back when I did mine. I'm not sure he was even in business then.

I've installed an external filter on each vehicle I've owned since a '91 Caravan with an A-604 cursed my life. After paying for the last of FOUR trannies that went into that POS, I solved the longevity problem with filtration and some high-gauss magnets to collect the metallic "soot", rather than let it recirculate through the bearings, bushings, and seals. I have never had another transmission failure, knock wood.

Thanks for listing your professional credentials, but I gotta' tell you that "Ford Factory Trained" doesn't hold a lot of weight around here. Those of us who are able to help solve the problems developed in the aftermath of a visit to those same "professional mechanics" know what I mean.

Your reference to "hobby" isn't exactly accurate, either, but I'd be the last to call myself a professional. I tell my customers to "never call me a professional", as I spend a fair amount of my time nowadays fixing their work. Getting paid for the job, right or wrong, seems to be the only criterion these days to carry that title.

In other words, I hope I'm never too old to think for myself.

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I guess one way to solve the debate would be to flush the cooler. Could that be done by removing it and blowing air through it or having it steamed cleaned? I think I am going to put an aftermarket one on my 96 7.3 but I think I would also like to put one on our 01 excursion 7.3. So what is a good way to clean the stock cooler?

American Air- how much was the kit and what trans fluid did you use, also cost of that? Thanks.

 

I won't presume to answer the cost questions posed to another.

I would use a solvent used to flush out refrigerant systems to back-flush the coolers. But only if you really think it necessary.

I would maintain that a properly-maintained transmission, that has never failed (created a bunch of gunk), having the pan occasionally cleaned and the fluid changed routinely, will have nothing to flush out of the coolers except oil.

Mark Kovalski would know for sure from his days at Ford.

Mark????

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I used denatured alcohol & compressed air to clean out my used 6.0L cooler before I put it in. I kept pouring it in and flushing it out until it quit coming out pink...

 

Joe,

That would be a good choice, too, and a lot cheaper!

But you already knew that!

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The problem is " a properly-maintained transmission" is a rare thing. Most know that routine care will extend the life but not many do it. Especially when you buy it used from a used car dealer, you just never know. Maybe it is just better off buying a new truecool or similar one that will keep the trans cooler and be clean to start out with.