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Topic: Coolant Filter Blank? (Read 910 times) previous topic - next topic

Coolant Filter Blank?

I plan on doing a flush of my coolant system tomorrow. I'm curious as to the coolant filter on the C8.3. My understanding is there is a valve you can turn to bypass the coolant filter. I purchased a blank as I am converting to Final Charge, but I'm wondering if I can just switch the valve to bypass the filter completely?
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: Coolant Filter Blank?

Reply #1 –
On my 99 270 it was accessed by going in the drivers side door and you will see a white filter up and to the back a bit. It has a  petcock  inline to shut it off right by it.  I would put the blank in as you already have it.  I would have to trace it to see if you could permanently bypass it.  I am not sure on that part.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Coolant Filter Blank?

Reply #2 –
On our coach, our coolant filter valve is a long narrow cylinder with a single flow hole going crosswise and made out of plastic, which has been known to break sometimes when rotated to turn off. Cummins has a metal replacement valve, which we purchased.

The valve is held down in the hole with the edge a single visible screw head, located on the top of the narrow valve.
We can remove screw, but our plastic valve must have an edge on it somewhere and could not be easily lifted out of its hole. If it broke while lifting out, the broken off bottom would be a problem getting out.

So we ended up leaving the original plastic valve alone. We no longer turn it to change filter.

And nothing ever spills out if we change coolant filter without draining anti-freeze.

So I don't know why the valve needs to be turned. I think nothing spills out because on our coach the coolant filter is located higher than our radiator, so closing the valve may not be necessary in our engine / radiator configuration.

We also use blank filters as our Cummins Permanent Antifreeze always measures the correct DCA.

Re: Coolant Filter Blank?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Benjie Zeller –
I plan on doing a flush of my coolant system tomorrow. I'm curious as to the coolant filter on the C8.3. My understanding is there is a valve you can turn to bypass the coolant filter. I purchased a blank as I am converting to Final Charge, but I'm wondering if I can just switch the valve to bypass the filter completely?

I'm not sure, but I don't believe that there is a filter bypass valve, just the little valve to close when changing the filter.  The blank filter still filters the coolant it just doesn't have the chemical pellets in it. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Coolant Filter Blank?

Reply #4 –
I changed it out and left the blank in. Thanks Jerry!
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...
 

Re: Coolant Filter Blank?

Reply #5 –
Yes, you should leave a filter functional (but one with zero SCA= blank) when converting to any of the coolants that do not require SCA.

You still want the filtration function.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020