full flow coolant filter - Diesel Forum

tomdalrymple · 04-11-2006, 03:59 PM

Any reason not to run the coolant filter as a full flow from the water pump, thru the filter then thru the heater core? I suspect the flow thru the heater core would suffer, but I never use the heater, and like the idea of more filtering. I'm in the process of installing mine in my 94, and the bypass plumbing would seem to limit the coolant being filtered. By plumbing the filter as full flow, I also would gain fewer barb/hose connections.

Griz · 04-11-2006, 04:01 PM

Does anyone make one? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

hheynow · 04-11-2006, 05:57 PM

IMO running an inline coolant filter is risky business. It may slow the rate of cooling by the filter restriction and if clogged you overheat, lose a water pump and are stranded on the road. The beauty of a coolant bypass filter (and an oil bypass filter) is that the bypass gets super filtered without a restriction on the system and over time will super clean the fluid. I've had both a coolant and oil bypass filter system for the last three years and swear by them.

Larry M · 04-11-2006, 06:29 PM

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Any reason not to run the coolant filter as a full flow from the water pump

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I don't know how you would do this since as far as I know all the coolant and oil filters are bypass type. In the case of the coolant filter the supply is either plumbed into the port on the driver's side of the water pump or into the supply side of the heater core and not sure about a return other than into the coolant resivour, but none take the actual output of the WP to the engine and put that thru a filter before going to the engine itself.

Maybe I don't understand what you're meaning by a "full flow" vs what you would call a "bypass" routing for a coolant filter setup.

Larry

tomdalrymple · 04-11-2006, 07:45 PM

The oil bypass filter runs full pressure oil thru the filter, then dumps it back into the pan. The bypass coolant filters as I see it diagramed, and my instructions expained, have a "T" on the inlet and outlet of the filter, which only has a small amunt of coolant actually going thru the filter. I was thinking of having all of the coolant that is going thru the heater core to go thru the filter. I know it would decrease the heater capacity, but not an issue for me. After the heater core, the coolant is put into the head. My concern is whether the head needs this coolant flow, or if it is just a convenient place to return the heater coolant flow.

BlueMule · 04-11-2006, 08:41 PM

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After the heater core, the coolant is put into the head. My concern is whether the head needs this coolant flow, or if it is just a convenient place to return the heater coolant flow.

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Actually the coolant flows FROM the head, thru the heater and returns to the pump.Other than the low flow to the heater core I cant see a problem with plumbing them in series.

BlueMule · 04-11-2006, 09:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
IMO running an inline coolant filter is risky business. It may slow the rate of cooling by the filter restriction and if clogged you overheat, lose a water pump and are stranded on the road. The beauty of a coolant bypass filter (and an oil bypass filter) is that the bypass gets super filtered without a restriction on the system and over time will super clean the fluid. I've had both a coolant and oil bypass filter system for the last three years and swear by them.

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Richard
Im gonna have to disagree with you on this one. If the filter gets plugged all that will happen is the heater core wont get any water. The coolant will just continue through the head via the internal water jacket and eventually return to the pump. Just the same as it does on the other head. Remember, both heads are the same.

BlueMule · 04-11-2006, 09:43 PM

My only concern with doing it this way would be the filters. They're designed to be used as a bypass filter and may not like the increased flow.

BlueMule · 04-11-2006, 11:04 PM

I just dug out an extra coolant filter to look at. There is a restrictive orifice in it that is real close 5/32. As long as it remains I dont see how you will gain anything by using it as a full flow rather than a bypass.

sdan27 · 04-13-2006, 04:30 PM

yeah, because even if you plumb it in so all the coolant has to go through the filter to the heater core, it just means less coolant will go to the heater core to begin with. plus, as already stated, you'd hardly be able to get any heat out of your vents. it's not that you wouldn't get the same pressure to the filter, just the volume would be less as with a bypass oil filter.

**DIESELSITE** · 04-13-2006, 09:53 PM

First off. As said above. The heater is already a bypass curcuit from the heads, so if you block off that flow, you just lose flow to the heater.....IE: a/c shut off valves.

So, if you install a full flow filter, it won't hurt the engine, but you will destroy the filters themselves. It won't work.

Bob

Griz · 04-13-2006, 10:17 PM

I guess my question is "Why would you want one?" Once the majority of crud is filtered out of the coolant system wouldn't you pretty much have a clean system? So I don't see the benefit of a full flow filter? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

444-4D · 04-13-2006, 11:21 PM

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So, if you install a full flow filter, it won't hurt the engine, but you will destroy the filters themselves. It won't work.

Bob

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I'm calling BS on this one. It won't hurt the engine. It won't destroy the filters. It will work. The only difference is that the heater won't work as well.

Sparkydm · 04-14-2006, 06:58 AM

I wonder if there's a flow rating for the filter? Is there a
pressure rating? With it already being a bypass coolant circuit,
it shouldn't hurt the engine cooling but, I'm not sure about
the filters. We've had filters blow at work when used in the
wrong application. Whps going to be the test subject? I'll
pass but, would appreciate reading the posted results. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]