water filter installation

[trampsdieseltruck]

has anyone ever installed a water filter on a 7.3 and can you post pics and is it worth the time

[asauer]

The factory setup has a water 'filter'- called a water seperator. I've never had any water come out of the bottom of the filters on trucks I've had for awhile, but a couple had water in the filter when I got them. Could have been from sitting for years.
So not quite sure on the effectiveness of the stock setup.
I'm sure if you dumped a measured amount of water in the tank, you'd never get the same amount in your water seperator- most of it probably makes it through.

[trampsdieseltruck]

sorry i should have said coolant filter(spin on filter to filter the anti freeze)

[tycham]

I am installing one next week so i am also interested. I plan to tap the plug at the water pump (3/8 npt), run it to the filter mounted on the alternator and then output to the overflow bottle

[asauer]

Ahh I see. I figured you already knew what the water seperator was lol.
I know people on here have done it. It'd not entirely neccessary, but it would make keeping the SCAs at a consistent level easier (precharged filters) and it would surely keep the coolant a little cleaner.
I figure if the big rigs have them, they must be effective if you want to get lots of life out of the motor.

[cdnsarguy]

Back when I started here the coolant filter kit was all the rage, they are available still but all my leads/links are dead end.

Baldwin Filters Heavy-Duty Filtration Products | Controlled Release Coolant Filters

Unfortunately most manufactures did not continue building kits for our trucks (IDI) but PSDs did have a kit available.

[trampsdieseltruck]

ok thanks.the reason im asking is i put a new rad/coolant this week.the hose going from the cab heater hose to the bottom right side of the rad was plugged with sand.the previous owner used swamp water in the rad.i was wondering if a coolant filter would work for my truck

[cdnsarguy]

A coolant filter system with SCA additives internally that automatically dispense into the coolant work fine to keep the level correct.

As for your swamp water problem I would definitely do a good cleaning with a product like fleetguard restore. Then have the kit do the rest of the work for you regarding SCA.

I will post a pic of the kit on my photo link so you can see what is involved for parts...

[88beast]

well theyre worth it im going to add one someday wheni get money and i get the other projects done lol

its not hard run it parallel to the heater core with t fittings

[rednexx]

Just thinking out loud here, but wouldn't it be better to have it in line with the heater core? This way you would get a better flow through it. If you had no heat in the cab, you would know it was plugged. On the other hand, if the heater was shut off, you would have any flow either. Most everyone uses thier heater within 6 months, so wouldn't that be enough to keep the levels in check?

[trampsdieseltruck]

i thought the same thing plus it would be simple to install.i was talking to a friend/mechanic today and he said i should have used green antifreeze and not the red because it will plug the system up and blow a head gasket or water pump in change of temp.i used preston extended life diesel red antifreeze(it said good for all diesel application) is this true and should i replace it??? 4 gallons of green antifreeze is $44(cheaper the a head gasket) has anybody had a problem with red antifreeze.

[rednexx]

I just put in the same antifreeze, but it's purple. I am looking at putting a charged filter on due to the block I have is quite rusty, and would like to clean the system up without doing many flushes. Just wondering what is the best way to install, in line or parallel.

[kg4tnp]

My new coolant filter

dont do in line, do it bypas, most coolant filters are not full flow but bypass design.

[kg4tnp]

tramps I belive youre friend mistook you for using dexcool. Prestone HD Diesel antifreeze is just fine but I would srill check the SCAs though just to be sure of the level.

[tycham]

I just finished this with Peak and Prestone. Both of their HD extended antifreeze (Organic) will work fine in our Powerstrokes. No SCA required for 350,000 miles