dieselenthusiast
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Zuni Mountains, New Mexico
Overtime, there can be a lot of gunk buildup in the cooling system. There are many factors that can contribute to gunk buildup, but I’ll save that for another discussion. Since I’m rather proactive about maintenance, I wanted to install a coolant by-pass filter before installing the new radiator.
There are several universal coolant filter heads to choose from with various inlet/outlet configurations and bracket options. Unsure where I would choose as my final mounting location, I went ahead and decided to go with the WIX filter head and a cheap WIX coolant filter. You get what you pay for, and WIX is not the most transparent company. I asked WIX what their micron rating was, and they said, “27 micron.” I’m fairly sure that their filter isn’t rated at 27um (absolute). I then asked WIX what their coolant filter flowed (gallons per minute) and they said, “flow varies, the filter is designed to only accept about 10% of the fluid.” I find it frustrating when a company doesn’t make their data known and they can‘t answer specific questions.
The Baldwin coolant filter B5134 is rated at 45um absolute at 100% efficiency and 20um absolute at 50% efficiency. So when WIX said that their filter is rated at 27 micron, I really wanted to know at what efficiency. Unfortunately, WIX didn’t have an answer for me. Anyway, I decided to go with the WIX filter for test fitting purposes and to do an initial cleanup. I’ll eventually replace the WIX with a Donaldson ECF4085 coolant filter that is rated at 14um absolute. The Donaldson filter media is top quality and interval changes are rated at 150,000 miles, 4,000 hours, or 1 year; whichever comes first.
WIX Filter Head, Part# 33109
Spin-On Conversion Kit
Universal Mounting Base
11/16-16 Threaded Base Stud
3/8 NPT fittings
WIX/NAPA Coolant Filter, Part# 24070
Rated at 27 micron (efficiency is unknown)
I finally made a decision on where to put the coolant filter. I narrowed it down to three different locations with all but one requiring a custom bracket. After consulting with a local mechanic, we decided to put the coolant filter down on the front frame rail which was the location that didn’t require fabricating a bracket. It’s the lowest point in the cooling system which is actually recommended by the manufacturer. I’m really happy with the install location, the ease of maintenance, and most of all, the added protection and cooling it will offer.
Initially I wanted to use a nicer ball valve without the handle, but since I was limited on time, I was able to test fit these valves without having to order them. We had plenty of room in the mounting location therefore the handles were not a concern.
Here's the inlet and outlet to and from the coolant filter
The coolant filter is tucked away behind the front bumper and protected by the radiator support and frame rail.
There are several universal coolant filter heads to choose from with various inlet/outlet configurations and bracket options. Unsure where I would choose as my final mounting location, I went ahead and decided to go with the WIX filter head and a cheap WIX coolant filter. You get what you pay for, and WIX is not the most transparent company. I asked WIX what their micron rating was, and they said, “27 micron.” I’m fairly sure that their filter isn’t rated at 27um (absolute). I then asked WIX what their coolant filter flowed (gallons per minute) and they said, “flow varies, the filter is designed to only accept about 10% of the fluid.” I find it frustrating when a company doesn’t make their data known and they can‘t answer specific questions.
The Baldwin coolant filter B5134 is rated at 45um absolute at 100% efficiency and 20um absolute at 50% efficiency. So when WIX said that their filter is rated at 27 micron, I really wanted to know at what efficiency. Unfortunately, WIX didn’t have an answer for me. Anyway, I decided to go with the WIX filter for test fitting purposes and to do an initial cleanup. I’ll eventually replace the WIX with a Donaldson ECF4085 coolant filter that is rated at 14um absolute. The Donaldson filter media is top quality and interval changes are rated at 150,000 miles, 4,000 hours, or 1 year; whichever comes first.
WIX Filter Head, Part# 33109
Spin-On Conversion Kit
Universal Mounting Base
11/16-16 Threaded Base Stud
3/8 NPT fittings
WIX/NAPA Coolant Filter, Part# 24070
Rated at 27 micron (efficiency is unknown)
I finally made a decision on where to put the coolant filter. I narrowed it down to three different locations with all but one requiring a custom bracket. After consulting with a local mechanic, we decided to put the coolant filter down on the front frame rail which was the location that didn’t require fabricating a bracket. It’s the lowest point in the cooling system which is actually recommended by the manufacturer. I’m really happy with the install location, the ease of maintenance, and most of all, the added protection and cooling it will offer.
Initially I wanted to use a nicer ball valve without the handle, but since I was limited on time, I was able to test fit these valves without having to order them. We had plenty of room in the mounting location therefore the handles were not a concern.
Here's the inlet and outlet to and from the coolant filter
The coolant filter is tucked away behind the front bumper and protected by the radiator support and frame rail.
my rig spends 90% of it's time going fast in the desert so i know all about silt buildup.
