The reason for asking , I'm replacing the heater hoses and eliminating the coolant lines to the water heater....the branch lines have more branch lines and it's just another place for leaks. Then looking at the filter only a small amount of coolant runs to the filter and the purpose is for the additive . Given the fact that have switched to ELC no additive is needed. So why keep the filter..??
Thoughts
Hans
The coolant filter can serve either one of two functions:
All provide filtration-- so yes it is important.
Some add SCA. With ELC you will use what is known as a BLANK which has the filtration, but zero units of SCA.
Keep it!
Coolant does not need to all be filtered each "cycle", but it is important that it is filtered.
At a seminar some years ago a Cummins engineer remarked that aside from SCA additive replenishment, there is no need for the filter after the engine is run an unspecified period of time to remove impurities from the block casting. That being said, I have continued to use a blank with ELC coolant. Do what makes you happy since you are your own warranty provider at this point.
I would question the Cummins guy's answer. To believe that with the different metals and the complexity of the cooling system in a DP will never generate scale or other contaminates that you don't want circulating through the water pump or small passages in the system is well ......................
Do you recall who the guy was-- I know most of them from doing the Caterpillar Engine Maintenance Seminars at the FMCA Conventions. They were always opposite the Cummins seminar so we got to know each other pretty well-- even traded AV equipment on one occasion when theirs was broken and we had a spare. Some had a good technical background, some were sales guys.
Even if all the iron casting material was gone, there is the issue of maintenance done later. Hose particles from hose changes, something falling in the tank during coolant flushes etc. Filter would catch these.
I'm like craneman, I'd worry about something getting in the system at a later time inadvertently.
Larry
I also would not remove the coolant filter.
I also would maintain the coolant lines to the water heater because it is convenient to have hot water after driving a few miles, and when traveling for two or more days with cool weather, the engine warms faster due to the heat transferring from the hot water in the hot water tank to the engine coolant.
A farmer friend of mine has a Dodge Ram truck with 350,000 miles on Cummins engine that does not have a filter. I am confused?
A truck cooling system is a LOT less complex with a lot fewer components/metals. Have not seen a PU with transmission heat exchanger, motor-aid water heater and the 1/8 mile of hoses that can break down over a LOT longer life expectancy.
All of the OTR trucks come with the filter, even the little DT 466 International.