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147 Posts
OK, I can't take credit for this mod. I came across something similar a long while ago, posted on a forum somewhere. Seemed like a logical idea so I ran with it. I do have a DieselSite Filtration system enroute but I wanted some kind of solution in the meantime, and I'm glad I did.
So what is it? 1990 Ford F250 w/5.8L fuel filter. As you can see it's inline with the degas bottle return line so only a small amount of coolant is filtered while running. The micron rating for a gasoline filter is more then fine enough for cooling system junk. Pressure isn't an issue either. So far no problems with the heat either, and I don't expect there to be any. Install is only a few minutes.
But how well does it work? Well first of all before I installed the filter I did a complete drain and flush, refilled with just water and Prestone Super Cleaner, then drove it for a week as per the instructions. Drained out the crud, reflushed until clear, refilled with water and VC9. Ran the truck for an hour then took it for a 20 mile drive. Drained, flushed a few times until clear and then refilled with Premium Gold. All flushing done with heat on full, also removed t-stat for flushes. I couldn't have flushed this truck more.
So here it is, after less than 100 miles from the final flush. That's a lot of abrasive sand and I've only shown half of what came out. The filter was absolutely nowhere near plugged. I reverse flushed it and reinstalled. I have a 2000 mile 14,000lb tow next week and I'll update then. It's a cheap and dirty mod but it did work quite well and shows that the sand problem is a real killer for these motors, and no matter how many flushes you do the sand keeps coming.
EDIT: To alleviate any fears of the filter plugging, just add a couple "Y"s and an extra section of line around the filter. That will give you a failsafe should the filter load up, additionally everything can be moved lower to better hide the installation. But whatever you do.......DO SOMETHING! Compulsory for the 6.0L

So what is it? 1990 Ford F250 w/5.8L fuel filter. As you can see it's inline with the degas bottle return line so only a small amount of coolant is filtered while running. The micron rating for a gasoline filter is more then fine enough for cooling system junk. Pressure isn't an issue either. So far no problems with the heat either, and I don't expect there to be any. Install is only a few minutes.
But how well does it work? Well first of all before I installed the filter I did a complete drain and flush, refilled with just water and Prestone Super Cleaner, then drove it for a week as per the instructions. Drained out the crud, reflushed until clear, refilled with water and VC9. Ran the truck for an hour then took it for a 20 mile drive. Drained, flushed a few times until clear and then refilled with Premium Gold. All flushing done with heat on full, also removed t-stat for flushes. I couldn't have flushed this truck more.
So here it is, after less than 100 miles from the final flush. That's a lot of abrasive sand and I've only shown half of what came out. The filter was absolutely nowhere near plugged. I reverse flushed it and reinstalled. I have a 2000 mile 14,000lb tow next week and I'll update then. It's a cheap and dirty mod but it did work quite well and shows that the sand problem is a real killer for these motors, and no matter how many flushes you do the sand keeps coming.
EDIT: To alleviate any fears of the filter plugging, just add a couple "Y"s and an extra section of line around the filter. That will give you a failsafe should the filter load up, additionally everything can be moved lower to better hide the installation. But whatever you do.......DO SOMETHING! Compulsory for the 6.0L
