Looking for advice on a coolant filter for my truck

I’m thinking about adding a coolant filter to my truck and wanted to see what people recommend.


I’m using the Sinister kit on my 7.3 and it’s still pulling out block casting sand that they didn’t get out during manufacturing. If you’re trying to filter particles, it works great. It doesn’t remove diesel from the coolant as much, but it does seem to help a bit with that too.

@Finlo
How easy was the install? And how often do you change the filter?

Zayden said:
@Finlo
How easy was the install? And how often do you change the filter?

The install is pretty straightforward on 6.0s, a little harder on the 7.3 Super Duty but not bad. I have one on my 7.3 OBS and it works great. I change the filter every 10,000 miles and use either the Napa or Cat filters through my job.

@Oli
Does the filter restrict coolant flow at all? I’m in Maine, so cooling isn’t an issue in the winter, but I don’t want my 6.0 overheating when it’s hot out.

Zayden said:
@Oli
Does the filter restrict coolant flow at all? I’m in Maine, so cooling isn’t an issue in the winter, but I don’t want my 6.0 overheating when it’s hot out.

You’ll want a bypass filter system. It filters a small portion of the coolant at a time, so eventually, it’ll filter all the coolant, but it doesn’t restrict flow in the system.

Zayden said:
@Oli
Does the filter restrict coolant flow at all? I’m in Maine, so cooling isn’t an issue in the winter, but I don’t want my 6.0 overheating when it’s hot out.

Exactly. It’s a bypass system, and it actually helps the truck run cooler since it acts like a heat sink. It’s got valves, so you can shut it off in the winter for a faster warm-up, but honestly, the difference in warm-up time is minor. It won’t make your truck overheat; if anything, it’ll run a little cooler.

@Oli
I’ve run both the Cat and Napa Wix filters. They both do the job, but the Cat filter just looks better!

I got mine off Amazon. It’s not hard to install, and it’s a must-have for the 6.0.

I haven’t done this on my Excursion yet, but it’s next on my list. Supposedly, this is the best coolant filter for a 6.0: https://www.iprresearch.com/IPR-High-Flow-Coolant-Filter-Ford-6.0.html.

I’m not convinced these filters do much after you’ve replaced the oil cooler once or twice. I put a second oil cooler in my 6.0, and it was full of gunk. After flushing the system and installing a filter, it hasn’t caught anything in the last 20k miles. If you really want one, Sinister Diesel makes a good kit, and I’d recommend running Cat coolant filters if you can.

@Dale
I’m 16, so replacing the oil cooler would be rough on my wallet. The truck sat outside in Miami for most of its life before I got it. I’ve flushed the coolant like five times, and it looks like sand from the casting is still in there. No rust, but it’s got specs of dirt or sand.

@Zayden
It’s probably casting sand or gunk from the block. If it’s still in there, your oil cooler and EGR cooler (if it’s not deleted) are likely holding a lot of that stuff, or it’s built up by the block drains. I’d start saving up just in case. I did my oil cooler myself, and while it wasn’t super expensive, it still ran me around $1,500.

@Dale
It’s deleted and studded, so I’m leaning toward the casting sand. But who knows, the truck sat from late 2013 to early 2024 before I got it.

Zayden said:
@Dale
It’s deleted and studded, so I’m leaning toward the casting sand. But who knows, the truck sat from late 2013 to early 2024 before I got it.

Thinking about it, your radiator might be full of dirt and junk too. I doubt there’s much casting sand left at this point, but what process did you use when flushing the coolant?

You should try a Brita filter—best in the business! Also, check the muffler bearings; they might depend on the timing of your antifreeze filter replacement.