Coolant filter

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Anyone ever put a coolant filter in? I found some pretty heavy bluish green deposit on a corroded temp sensor/ flange and was wondering how much of it is in the rest of the system. I am thinking of one of those G2 clear filters with 5/16 barbs in line with the hose to the expansion globe to see what gets trapped. What do you think? See any issues doing so?.

[J Z]

I have not heard of anyone who done that.
But, as long as it can handle the temperature and pressure, I see no problem in doing so.

[ORCoaster]

Interesting Idea.  We seem to filter all the other fluids of their bad and nasties.  Why not the Coolant?  Let us know what you come up with.  And what you catch.  Scale and oil?

[theman53]

I put a fuel filter in line to the expansion tank. It holds up well, but I don't know how much it filters. I was trying to get the oil from the last engines HG problem out. It did take the scale out but obviously not the oil.

[DJPyro]

I think that given the nature of the cooling system, your best bet is to stick with a tried and true coolant flush every couple years, or after a head gasket job. Filtering it isn't going to really be beneficial at all.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

So I put a clear fuel filter inline to the expansion tank and ran it for 50 miles just so I can see what's in my cooling system. I immediately saw rust, probably due to having  half empty coolant and open to the atmosphere for 3 weeks while replacing a head gasket. Took the filter and rinsed it out and found in addition to rust, little bits of black rubber like substance. I'll be flushing it till clean (no more rust or debri in the filter before putting  G12 in.

Themans53, I used .Bounty paper towel to soak up the few drops of oil I saw in the expansion tank. 

[vanbcguy]

Heavy diesels do often have coolant filtration.  It's back to that whole "is the cost of the change worth more or less than the cost of filtering / testing" like why we just do oil changes, while a heavy diesel does lab tests to see if it's time yet.

http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/lube/coolant.html

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Heavy diesels do often have coolant filtration.  It's back to that whole "is the cost of the change worth more or less than the cost of filtering / testing" like why we just do oil changes, while a heavy diesel does lab tests to see if it's time yet.

http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/lube/coolant.html

My "coolant" filter cost under $3.00 so no big deal. It doesn't hold much so I take it out every 50 miles or so to empty/ wash it and see what kind of junk comes out. The constant inspection let's me know when there's no more junk then it's time to remove the filter.

[mystery3]

My "coolant" filter cost under $3.00 so no big deal. It doesn't hold much so I take it out every 50 miles or so to empty/ wash it and see what kind of junk comes out. The constant inspection let's me know when there's no more junk then it's time to remove the filter.

Don't take this the wrong way but do you have a job or kids or anything? Cleaning a filter every two days for me is simply not worth it. Flush your coolant system and refill with quality coolant at least every two years or 20k and you'll be fine. In the case of your particular cooling system I'm not going out on a limb to say that it was abused. Your PO probably had the wrong type or mixed types of coolant and didn't change or flush the system ever.

[R.O.R-2.0]

My "coolant" filter cost under $3.00 so no big deal. It doesn't hold much so I take it out every 50 miles or so to empty/ wash it and see what kind of junk comes out. The constant inspection let's me know when there's no more junk then it's time to remove the filter.

Don't take this the wrong way but do you have a job or kids or anything? Cleaning a filter every two days for me is simply not worth it. Flush your coolant system and refill with quality coolant at least every two years or 20k and you'll be fine. In the case of your particular cooling system I'm not going out on a limb to say that it was abused. Your PO probably had the wrong type or mixed types of coolant and didn't change or flush the system ever.

if theres some tiny little pieces in your coolant, its no big deal. i dont think ive ever drained coolant before and had it come out spotless, unless it was an engine i rebuilt not that long ago..

i get chunkage in my coolant every time i drain it out of my cars. i just use my filter funnel, and dump it back in. the filter in the funnel catches the big pieces. if the pieces of matter are small enough to fit thru the passages of the heater core, then they wont damage the cooling system, or get stuck anywhere..

i really think you are wasting time with your inline fuel filter and cleaning it every day..

if you guys want to filter it, filter it from a lower location, with more flow.. the rad return line is the highest point of the coolant system. heavy particles usually dont settle to the TOP..

[theman53]

The last time I put the distilled water in mine. I have had no problems with the normal junk. Sadly everything else I own has always got tap water and has floaties. Well almost everything gets tap water. My old 400 ford that is mud only use has had everything from mud puddle water, beer, spit, and even my own piss to get it going. It looks better than my tap watered vehicles.

[R.O.R-2.0]

The last time I put the distilled water in mine. I have had no problems with the normal junk. Sadly everything else I own has always got tap water and has floaties. Well almost everything gets tap water. My old 400 ford that is mud only use has had everything from mud puddle water, beer, spit, and even my own piss to get it going. It looks better than my tap watered vehicles.

glad im not the only one who has done this..

hahaha..

also, never used distilled water in any of my vehicles.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

I'm not suggesting anyone do what I am doing. The particular filter I am using is perfect for what I need it to do. It takes less than a minute to remove and I lose an oz or 2 of coolant, it costs under $3, It is clear so you can see what's inside, it is easy and quick to flush by dunking it in water , shake and drain. I just want to see what's in there after doing a head gasket job. After the 1,000 mile final head gasket torque, I will drain and flush then put in G12/distilled water and throw that filter out.

ROR2, probably not a good idea to place the coolant filter in a lower location, with more flow. I see a coolant filter as a bypass type filter. If placed in a location with more flow, when it plugs up, then engine will overheat- not what you want.