Radiator coolant and cooling system filters

[V8-240Z]

I have been looking for a way to filter the coolant to remove the stuff that is moving aroung the cooling system. I have found 3 different companys that make coolant filters TEFBA, Golan and Gano. These go in the upper radiator hose.

Here is a link to the TEFBA installed.

http://www.midnightdsigns.com/Mustang/Tefba%20Filter.html

I ran across this interesting tip.

After a new engine rebuild or a head/intake reassembly, find yourself an old nylon stocking. If you don't happen to have one in your closet, get one from your wife, girlfriend, granny, etc. Drape the stocking over the upper water neck of the radiator and install the radiator hose like you normally would. Cut off the excess nylon. After the initial run-in, with the radiator full of coolant of course, remove the upper hose after it cools down and remove the stocking. You will be amazed to see how much floating debris, bits of silicone, and other miscellaneous crud will be caught.

The first one is the Golan, the second is the TEFBA, the third one is a Gano. The fourth picture is a Gano that goes in a heater hose. The $20 heater hose filter is simply 2 quality garden hose ends with a filter washer in it. I just picked the hose ends up at Home Depot for $8.00

Is there anyone here that has used a filter or is doing this?

[240ZX]

A question I would be concerned about is the lose of flow (restriction) that the coolant filter will induce.....hmmmmmm!

Tom

[sblake01]

My understanding is that you only use that type of thing for the initial run-in after a rebuild. Then you remove the filter set up, flush the cooling system, and refill it.

[V8-240Z]

My understanding is that you only use that type of thing for the initial run-in after a rebuild. Then you remove the filter set up, flush the cooling system, and refill it.

That was what I was thiinking also. The TEFBA has a easy to remove screen. The TEFBA comes with 2 different screens so you start with the large mesh screen and then switch to the small mesh screen before running without a screen.

You could always carry a pair of nylons in the glove box to use on the radiator inlet like what was suggested. However for some that may not be such a good idea.

Over the road trucks use a coolant filter with a anti corrosion additive in it. That filter looks like a large spin on oil filter and requires a base so it can be put in a heater hose line. There is just not room to put one of these on a Z.

Has anyone run water backwards through a Z heater core and dumped it in a bucket to see what was in the heater core?

[sblake01]

The ones you describe for trucks probably have some type of bypass to prevent impedence of the coolant flow in case the filter gets clogged. I have flushed many a cooling sytem and have see some of the horrible stuff that can be in there. You don't need filters. The best way to prevent or at least minimize that is to do regular cooling system maintenece including flushing and changing coolant at least once a year. It not only prolongs the life of the radiator, but also the water pump, heater core, as well as the water passages in the engine which will prolong the life of the engine. I know that sounds like a commercial but it works for me. I haven't had a cooling sysytem related engine failure since I was a teenager. (and that's long ago!)

[Nissanman]

....and I would add this "commercial".

Always use genuine Nissan Long Life Coolant with your system.

I have had some very complimentary remarks made about the condition of my [now departed] Nissan RB30 engine which had regular oil and coolant changes with the LLC added.

It is cheap to buy and an excellent product for your engine:love:

Heater cores by their very design and intermittent useage are great for trapping any sludge in the system.