the coolant leaves a white residue clean around the degas bottle and see if the residue appears

I installed a Dieselsite coolant filter somewhere between 50,000 - 60,000 miles (can't remember).... and now have +183,000 miles on my truck.

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't all things wear out at some point? Did the opening poster report that he had a failure... or was he just advising that maybe a better design would be better (there is a difference here)?

Since new, my truck has gone through 2 alternators, HFCM fuel pump/filter, ICP sensor, a tranny sensor, brakes, tires, rotors... and with 183,000 miles, I just replaced all 8 original injectors.... I mean... geez guys, things wear out and break... so are all the things above that wore out and broke poor designs, poor machining and poor whatever as well... maybe, maybe not?

Nothing lasts forever.... but it seems that we have 3 options here:

1) Part fails - call Dieselsite and speak with Bob and get replacement.

2) Part fails - fix it yourself (so truck is not out of service) - then call Bob afterwards.

3) Part has not failed and life is good.


Personally, the coolant filter is the best mod ever designed and I believe why my 2003 6.0L Excursion is running so well... with 183,000 miles on it. After cutting open the filters and seeing what is being filtered out of my motor... I am a believer!!!!

OK... now that I have defended the Dieselsite coolant filter system and design sure hope my t-fitting does not decide to be the one in a million to fail!!!

Thanks,

What you say is true except the part in question could quickly destroy your motor when it fails. If I put this part on by choice and I see that there are some better choices (dfuser style tee or pex) why wouldn't I choose the better. Who here will say that the dieselsite tee is better than dfuser or pex style?

How often are you changing your filters? How much crap are you still getting out of the cooling system at that mileage?

When I first installed, I flushed the system with distilled water and ran for 6,000 miles (got about a 1/2 a t-spoon of sand out). The pictures of what I got out are the photos that are posted on the Dieselsite.com website. I was so impressed with what it filtered out, I sent the photos (and posted on this site many years back for all to see).

I then went to (for no real reason to twice a year filter changes) for the next year... then I change yearly whether it needs it or not.

I write with a sharpie marker the date and mileage of when I installed the filter (after I have installed of course) and just change it out yearly. I actually still get sand out of the filter... it is amazing.... less and less... but at 183,000 miles, I still have small round black beads of sand or something that looks like sand or carbon!!!

What I do:

1) Get an old plastic cup, funnel and coffee filter.

2) Remove old filter and keep coolant in filter upon removal (I have ball valves by the way).

3) Place coffee filter in funnel, place funnel in cup and pour coolant into/through the coffee filter so I can empty out the used filter. I will always get and see floating and loose black particles that get caught in the coffee filter.

4) As the cup fills up, I pour this "clean coolant" back into my degas bottle.

5) Repeat steps #4 and #5 until the used filter is completly empty.

6) Install new coolant filter (lube o-ring with fresh oil of course).

7) Open ball valves, close degas bottle cap and start motor and turn on heater to high to ensure coolant flow.

8) I will then cut open the old coolant filter and inspect just for kicks... and there is always some little "stuff" and black sand particles in it... not much... but after 183,000 miles, I am still amazed that there is anything... but there is!!!!

Totally agree... if better options available, then by all means go for it.

I too may check at Lowes for the brass Pex t-fitting and see if I think it would work and/or meet my needs (per the comments posted here at FTE)... but will probably not mess with my coolant filter system until I flush my entire cooling system the next time (too cold right now in Kansas City and why mess with a system that is working right now until I need to or the weather was/is warmer).

just to be clear. I never have dissed diesel site. Their filter system is just fine. I think every 6.0 should have one or one like it. The only thing is there are tees that will work with out any problems. I have just posted things to help others looking for alternatives. The pex tee is going to work fine and is not to hard to find.

Honestly I think 3 posters had a fail ,, those are three on this site that found or started this thread ,,

they haven't sold anywhere near to or even close to a million

the failure ratios going to be more than 1 in a million by a long shot

i just talked to my son in law, he happened to have the plastic pex fittings in his van. He says the plastic pex seem to last better than brass. Wonder which are better for heat?

depends on the heat range but the brass nor the molded fitting should not have an issue
why did he state that?

He owns a plumbing company and I think the supply house told him that. I think I will just use the plastic as that is what he had in these sizes.

I should have said he mentioned the brass had more failures but of course that is in a plumbing environment.

OH! maybe the pex tube comming off the fitting ,, that may make sense

I have never had a problem with brass fittings, there is nothing to go wrong with them. We started to use the plastic ones, because they are much cheaper, but have had alot crack. So we no longer use the plastic pex fittings.The extra cost of brass is far less then the cost of someones home,and property. Now this is in the plumbing end of pex, but I see no way there will ever be a problem with the brass in the 6.0 cooling system.

Fellas,
I checked my coolant level again this morning after truck sat all night. Yep, she was about 1" below the min line..appears i have a problem. Well, I started inspecting the connections at my coolant filter. I noticed some white residue around inlet/outlet at the filter. I posted some pics here, Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Jayybird's Album: Coolant Leak

I looked around the T fitting and can't really tell if any is leaking there, but it is real tight in there.

My truck is running great, Temps are good (maybe a little low), i don't do any crazy hot rodden or towing. When the truck is warm, i notice the coolant level rises in the degas bottle but not quite to the top so i don't think she is puking out the cap. I had ARPs and gaskets installed 20K miles ago, so i don't think its a gasket issue. I am hoping its just my coolant filter system. I plan on getting the brass t-fitting like what has been suggested on this thread, also, i will disconnect and clean up everything good and make sure its put back correctly on the filter.

What else can i trouble shoot for leaking coolant? Damn i don't want any problems, hopefully its just at this filter system and i can fix it.

Thanks

First thing to do is to watch it for a while. If it really is leaking it will get lower and lower, and then you'll know. Once you are sure it is leaking, then maybe turn off the valves to the coolant filter and see if it stops.

I had my truck for over a year before it burped / not puked after a long hilly trip
I was down about 2 qts ?
I was freaking out but topped it off and it never did it again

Can yall see the whit residue in the link in my previous post? Think thats coolant leaking out there? :eek:

Thanks again for the help

sure enough ,, but not a lot

Does not look like a significant leak to me. And those small seeps tend to seal themselves. If you are loosing significant coolant, I don't think it is from there.

I'm sure you know where it is likely going. So I won't speak the dirty language.

I saw a very tiny bit that looked more like teflon tape to me--LOL. If it's leaking coolant there you should be able to see it down around the radiator support, CAC hose, frame, etc.

Watch it when you start it in the morning for white smoke and smell the exhaust.

One other thing about coolant level in the bottle. Parking on a slight elevation change can make the level easily move 1/2" either way. I'd closely monitor and record how much coolant you were losing over time and be precise with every aspect of your "study".

From the photos (which are hard to see and I only see teflon tape)... you do not have an issue. If your loosing coolant... it's not from these fittings or the filter assembly.... if you were, you would be seeing "wet spots" and dried coolant somewhere more than what you think you see on those ball valves.

My coolant level varies from time to time and the slightest incline (not perfectly level) makes a difference when looking at the degas bottle level.

If your really concerned.... have your system pressure tested... have a manual pressure pump installed on the degas bottle cap and pressurize to max pressure and let it sit... and see what happens (does it hold or loose pressure... or does coolant leak out somewhere)?

On a side note... my levels vary from day to day and always have... do I know why... no... but they do go up and down depending on ambient outside temps, driving style, engine temps and the like... so that may be the variable at play with your motor???

Fellas,
I did some more investigating on my coolant leak. I think i found the culprit, take a look at this pics
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Jayybird's Album: Coolant Leak

What is that part? What is it for? Does it leak often?

You probably can't tell, but the photo where you see my fingers acutally had coolant seaping out. ( i assume it was coolant).

What is that gray wire thing for? That usually falls off and I have to plug back in.

I checked my coolant leve and it was 1+" below the MIN line ( i had filled it up to the MIN line with the truck sitting in the same spot a while back).

Also, i checked all the coolant filter connections, hoses, degas cap, and I can't find any trace of coolant leaking in those places.

So what do yall think? Is it an easy fix?

Thanks for any input..you guys are the best!

that is a device that closes the flow to the heater core when you choose max A?C // they are about $30 AND YOURS IS NOT THE FIRST TO FAIL ,, GOOD TROUBLE SHOOTING // sorry caps lock screwed me again ,, I am not yelling

Thanks ZMANN,
I will be replacing that soon. Do you know what that part is called or know where i can find a part #? If not, I'll just run up to the dealer and show them, and get the part along with a new hose....looks like it will be a good time to go ahead and put in the new brass T as well.

THanks!:-drink

Today I replaced the aluminum tee w/ a brass PEX tee. The aluminum tee was in perfect shape (3+ years old).

Heater control valve. BTW, that's a vacuum line, not a wire. You're in luck that it was just a simple leak like that.


Good to hear, on both counts. I don't plan to replace mine until my next coolant change, unless something happens sooner.

Did you use the 1"x1/2"x1" ? Where did you buy it, online or home depot?

I think we need another thread titled "Ford Heater Valve Warning/Fix (with pics)" :-X07

Lowes. It was quite a bit more expensive than on-line though. It was $7.
1"x1/2"x1"

I would do it ASAP, mine was good and solid until it wasn't and when it wasn't was on the side of the road and $30 worth of coolant covering everything in my engine compartment.

Agree,
Sorry about that...I will start a new thread for this issue.

Don't ya go scarin me now. :-X14

Maybe I'll do it when I change my filter. I've got about 6 months on the original and it still flows well. Seems my system is a clean one.

No need to be sorry. I'm glad you found your leak, and appreciate you sharing it with us. Thanks! :-X22

don't get it at the dealer it's expensive and last time someone went to buy one they were selling it as a kit with the hoses ?

I will get a site fore you unless one of the regular parts guys chimes in first

check this against the oem price \\
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=473

You are the man ZMANN,
THANKS!!

I just called my local stealer and that heater control valve assembly is $76. I think I will save a few bucks and try the diesel site one.

THanks again!

I beleive it is an oem unit

I thing partsguy Ed can get them at a better $ also but I don't have his info EDIT https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/member.php?u=406391

May have been... but you did not have to wait for it and there was no shipping and handling charges... and it gave you something to do this past weekend.... so in my mind, well worth the extra money spent.

1) Trip to Lowes - $7.00

2) Getting out of cleaning the house when you wife asked for help - duh!!!

3) Working on your Ford Super Duty - Priceless!!!

}> }> }>

Funny I grabbed a brass pex tee just to have and it was $4.80
AZ price must be less maybe I can resell them for $6 lol