And you can still get a cooler failure with a filter as I did however my system had so much crap in it that it was probably doomed from the start.

 

Will the installation of a coolant filter void your warranty?

 

Short answer, no, it shouldn't. Any aftermarket part added to a vehicle has to be proven to be the cause of a problem to void the warranty. I don't see where a bypass filter could cause any problem.

 

And on the heater line too if I'm not mistaken, which is a bypass for the main system (at least on my cars). So that would make it a bypass to the bypass.

 

Some of you have reported that your coolant filter plugged after x amount of miles. How do you know when the filter is plugged? I'm going to be adding a coolant filter this week. How will I have any idea when I need to change to the next filter?

 

Real scientific - by the "feel" method. Every week or so, pop the hood and feel the return line to the degas bottle. If it is cool after you have run your truck up to temperature, then it is plugged.

Some people have installed a "sight glass" in the return line as another option.

 

In ref to the "sight glass" I'm guessing thats just a cylindrical glass tube that has some brass nipples on each end to tie into the hose? is that something I can just pick up at napa or autozone? Seems like this part could be useful. I'm glad I can finally afford to buy the coolant filter. My truck has 40,000mi and i can actually see some sand in the degas bottle. The coolant looks to be clean (not milky colored).

 

You described it well. I believe McMaster Carr sells them. I have never seen one in an auto parts store. Someone posted a thread on it, I just can't recall who it was right now.

 

You can also feel the filter itself. If the engine is up to temp and the filter doesn't feel "HOT" then the filter is clogged.

 

Mark I believe this is the sight glass you are referring to
McMaster-Carr

 

just did a flush on mine man that thing was dirty. i have never seen a cooling system that dirty with only 70000 glad i did the flush. where is the best place to get a coolant filter setup. thanks for your help

 

This one is popular, but there are others.

http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=324

and get the ball valves so you don't lose coolant when you change filters...

http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=570

and a couple of extra filters, because they may plug quickly.

 

Just make sure that what ever sight glass you get that it is rated for a minimum of 250 degrees. I would prefer 300 degrees to be on the safe side.

 

Very good advice 69cj!

The heat actually hardened the first set of hoses that I installed. You sure don't want a leak unexpectedly!