Cooling System Flush
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,429
Likes: 3,279
From: Hartford WI
I can see the benefit of this kind of filter installation, it is likely to significantly reduce maintenance time by requiring only a drain & fill rather than a flush every time. But sooner or later you'll have to flush the system because gravity still works.. What I mean is, the coolant is not flowing 24h/day and pockets of sediment and scale will still build up at the bottom of the cooling jackets. It may take many years to see any negative effect, but I'm confident this kind of filter will not completely override the need for an occasional flush.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
Since most coolants are good for more than a couple years, I think this would be a waste. (I always used long-life coolants.) If it were me, I would install the filter and change it after 1 year (assuming no cooling issues), topping off the system as needed. Then going forward, I would do a drain & fill every 4 years, change the filter at that time. and do a full system flush every 3rd or 4th time. Just be sure to use anti-seize on the knock sensor(s) so they don't get stuck in the drain holes, being left in there so long.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
In my experience, most filters flow from the outside in, and the filtered fluid exits the filter from the center threaded hole. That's why there is a reinforced steel center tube inside the filter media, to keep it from collapsing under higher pressures once the filter media starts to load up with particulates.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
If one does proper cooling system maintenance from the get go, there will never BE any rust, scale or other debris floating around in your coolant. The coolant passages in the block should look "as cast" at 20 years/200,000 miles or what ever miles, if cared for properly. So changing the coolant every two years could help.
If you've bought and older car with unknown cooling system care, the filter is a fantastic idea....it's very likely that the car hasn't had proper cooling system maintenance and has some debris in the coolant.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 46
From: Pine Bush New York
