Do you think one of these would work as a cheap coolant filter?

[RIP]

The orange stuff in my cooling system is annoying and still there after flushing. Its a home built buggy so gets worked on often. It has a 14mm bypass hose which "shorts out" where the donor car had the heating matrix fitted. Do you think I can fit an alu filter like this in the bypass hose to catch some of the cr*p?

Edit: The engine is all alu.

 

[Agroshield]

It says "can be dismantled for cleaning".

It does not say "you need X-ray vision to know when it requires dismantling for cleaning".

What happens to the rest of the rest of the coolant in the system when you have it dismantled for cleaning?

To me, a filter with a clear bowl, installed with valves each side of it, so you can seal off the rest of the system, might serve your porpoises better.

 

[Brad93]

Just buy a 10" water filter like what you use on ponds

 

[Brad93]

Cheap as chips

 

[Morrisman]

The orange is probably rust dust, which means a magnet might catch it.

 

[roofman]

I use these types on my pressure washers, they have an internal cleanable filter.

 

[badabec]

Cut the foot off one of SWMBO's stockings (she's not gonna wear them again for you anyway), take off the top hose at the radiator, push the toe part into the radiator, clamp the top hose around the stocking.

 

[Turbo]

I would doubt that those plastic filters will take the heat and pressure of a car cooling system.

 

[RIP]

Doesnt look like anyone can see any problems with the idea. As @Turbo said, I'm not convinced the plastic filters will survive a cooling system. @Agroshield good point about stopping the coolant spilling out when cleaning the filter, but there isn't space or budget for valves. I usually use plugs to stop flow when servicing. The coolant doesn't flow out much until you remove the radiator cap to allow air in.

I suspect the filter will clog up super quick. If it gets blocked its not an issue as I'm fitting it to the heater matrix bypass hose, which doesn't do anything on this buggy build.

 

[steve t]

, so you can seal off the rest of the system, might serve your porpoises better.

Always good to keep them porpoises happy

 

[Agroshield]

I would doubt that those plastic filters will take the heat and pressure of a car cooling system.

If they are good on the inlet of a pressure washer, they will be subject to mains water pressure, which is generally higher than the 15psi in a coolant system. In addition, when you let go of the trigger, they will suffer shock loading (water hammer) in excess of the steady figure.

You have a valid point on temperature, but with regards to pressure, I am not sure the doubt is warranted.

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More a question than a comment: with a filter, when you dismantle for cleaning, it will allow some air into the system (as its own volume will be empty when you reinstall). Is the amount so small as not to worry about it?

 

[Woody.v8]

What about a magnetic trap for ch ?,it would cope with the heat.

 

[Morrisman]

I’m curious what this orange colour is. If it is indeed rust from an iron block then a good flush with a proper flushing agent should neutralise and remove it, and proper coolant should stop further rust.