radiator coolant filter's AKA why does it block up??

[mike 90 RR]

In responce to folks having to rod their radiators and asking the Q of why is it blocked & how do you keep the radiator healthy?


My RRC 1990 3.9 V8 has had a new radiator installed a while ago
So in an attempt to keep the cores from blocking up again & also so I can monitor how much crud is moving around the inside of my motor ... I fitted a Coolant filter sock to the top radiator hose ....

This filter sock was bought from my local radiator repair shop & is made in Queensland. I fitted it on the day I installed the new radiator, about 3? odd years ago ....

The trouble with old motor blocks is that bits & pieces can suddenly be released internally, when you start doing corrugated roads & hit the tracks





This is the sock fitted to the top radiator hose .... I always give the joint a coating of "Holimar 3" gasket sealant to get a good seal between the hose / sock / radiator inlet pipe ... so I don't tighten the heck out of the clamp

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/6585/filtersock1.jpg





This is the sock removed ... but showing the position / direction, of how you fit it inside the top radiator hose

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8718/filtersock2.jpg





This is the type of crud the sock filters after 6 months of use

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6510/filtersock3.jpg

and you wonder why your rad gets hot, eh :twisted:


The sock cost me about $20 ........ :D



I hope you enjoyed this little piece, just as I enjoyed writing it up :)


Mike
:)

[Sparksdisco]

Thats a lot of crud in there!!!!

Good idea. but dose the sock make the coolent leak out by it wicking to the outside? did you notice any diference with flow or it getting hotter?

[procrastination inc]

cool idea :)

maybe one of these would work too

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[steveG]

Amazing to think that there is that much crud produced inside the cooling system, when we run coolants that are supposed to prevent corrosion etc.
Most of it looks the same as the stuff you get growing on the outside of alloy water pumps/housings when you have a slightly leaking hose.
Wouldn't have thought it would be like that on the INSIDE of the system.

If you've had the sock there for 3 years, but that lot is only from last 6 months then it must be being generated all the time. Like Sparksdisco, I'm also interested to hear if the coolant tends to wick through, or if the gasket sealant prevents that. I haven't come across Hylomar#3 - always use Permatex #3 for this sort of thing.

This long sock approach would probably offer less resistance to coolant flow than other styles like the Tefba filter Tefba Radiator Filter :: Cooling System Insurance :: (http://www.babymall.com.au/ibm_custom/tefba/index.cfm)

Steve

[procrastination inc]

These thing look like they should help, but I don't think they will completely eliminate the problem.

Disolved solids in the coolant will precipitate out at the coolest (the radiator) point if the coolant is saturated at its hottest (the heads).

Think of it as salts crystalizing in the radiator

[mike 90 RR]

Thats a lot of crud in there!!!!
dose the sock make the coolent leak out by it wicking to the outside? did you notice any diference with flow or it getting hotter?


cool idea :)
maybe one of these would work too
http://thuongnga.com/uploads/Y%20loc%20ren%20dong.jpg


Amazing to think that there is that much crud produced inside the cooling system, when we run coolants that are supposed to prevent corrosion etc.
Most of it looks the same as the stuff you get growing on the outside of alloy water pumps/housings when you have a slightly leaking hose.
Wouldn't have thought it would be like that on the INSIDE of the system.

If you've had the sock there for 3 years, but that lot is only from last 6 months then it must be being generated all the time. Like Sparksdisco, I'm also interested to hear if the coolant tends to wick through, or if the gasket sealant prevents that. I haven't come across Hylomar#3 - always use Permatex #3 for this sort of thing.

This long sock approach would probably offer less resistance to coolant flow than other styles
Steve


These thing look like they should help, but I don't think they will completely eliminate the problem.

Disolved solids in the coolant will precipitate out at the coolest point if the coolant is saturated at its hottest


To answer all your Questions

To stop the Wicking ... You give it a coating of "Holimar 3" AKA "Permatex #3" (same stuff) ..... It is basically a non hardening aviation gasket goo ... Thick as tar and just absolutely brilliant stuff




The crud comes from anywhere ... sides of the bore sleeves / thermo housings / every time you take a hose off / change a gasket / corrugated roads shake the motor ....
You can use coolant and you WILL still get some form of corrosion, have a look at your Ali thermo housing next time you take the hose off

Yes it is a lot of crud, But you have to remember tho .... I'm filtering a 20 year old motor that has only been in my care for the last 3 odd years




There is no restriction of the water flow ... My motor has worked hard at low speeds and 40 degree days in the bush, with the A/C always ON

If there is a restriction ... then that sock needs cleaning :D



Now it's not a Hyclone or a petrol atom changer or fuel pill or a induction magnet ....... no need to super improve the way this thing works, or built bypass pipes or finer filter's, ect.....
..... You install this in the blink of an eye / using no extra plumbing or gadgets ....
& all it does is catch any pieces of crud, before it hits your radiator core and block it up

It really is just that simple :cool:


and ain't that the way it's suppose to be????? :D


Mike
:)

[bee utey]

I prefer these myself: TEFBA RADIATOR FILTER - eBay Other, Performance Parts, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 24-Feb-10 16:16:27 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TEFBA-RADIATOR-FILTER_W0QQitemZ170437134403QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_ Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item27aed84843)