Water filters

[Patrick67BJ8]

Does anyone use a water filter for their coolant installed in the top radiator hose?

 

[Keoke]

Nope not me

 

[tahoe healey]

I use "water for distilled purposes". Found at any supermarket.

 

[CaptRandy]

Can you explain purpose of filter in the water line? Do not know how that would work.

 

[John Turney]

No, I use the same distilled water as tahoe and antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Can you explain purpose of filter in the water line? Do not know how that would work.

I’ve seen one installed to filter out the water and rust particles. I lost the photo with info on it. It was installed on a Healey 3000. I was installed on the upper hose.

 

[red57]

I hadn't heard of this so I had to google it. I was surprised at the number of hits. I always thought occasional flushing and the use of anti-rust additives was sufficient but apparently not.

The different types of filters probably have different service intervals but I would be concerned about clogging the filter if you didn't service it often enough - seems like it could lead to reduced flow and overheating...

Anyway, I am now curious too if anyone can report their experiences with one.

Dave

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

I found it! Steve Gerow’s website.

 

[steveg]

This is before I rebuilt the engine...

Had had rust in my engine from running Water Wetter for a couple of years - a bad idea. So I bought the Tefba on eBay and installed it after a backflush and going back to a coolant mix. Had the radiator overhauled as it was occluded with rust bits.

A few little bits showed up over time, then after a while, none. Removed the Tefba.

It's very easy to remove the top and clean the filter. A solid product.

If you want to install it without the backflush, IMO it'll be effective - you'll want to check it probably every time after you drive, until it has captured all the loose rust flakes in the engine.

Backflushing with this setup captured a mass of muck (old water wetter turns to peanut butter) and rust bits in the woman's stocking filter.

 

[steveg]

I hadn't heard of this so I had to google it. I was surprised at the number of hits. I always thought occasional flushing and the use of anti-rust additives was sufficient but apparently not.

The different types of filters probably have different service intervals but I would be concerned about clogging the filter if you didn't service it often enough - seems like it could lead to reduced flow and overheating...

Anyway, I am now curious too if anyone can report their experiences with one.

Dave

IMO a good back flush, having the radiator rodded out and installing - and maintaining the pH in - a coolant mix would take care of any rust issues and the use of a filter would be unnecessary. I never had any rust until I messed with Water Wetter.

I didn't try this: the radiator itself could be backflushed separately from the engine using the same setup.

I used another hose bought online which had a sharper bend than the stock Healey upper (which kinked). Can't remember the source. Also bought a short straight hose for the forward hose. The Tefba's a tight fit.

Tefba link:
https://tinyurl.com/y4se5llj

 

[glemon]

Never heard about the rust associated with water wetter before, I just flushed my system and thought there was more crud in it than there should have been. Didn't add water wetter this time, my car runs cool anyway (first British car ever owned that runs cool) so no need to monkey with that stuff.

 

[steveg]

Never heard about the rust associated with water wetter before, I just flushed my system and thought there was more crud in it than there should have been. Didn't add water wetter this time, my car runs cool anyway (first British car ever owned that runs cool) so no need to monkey with that stuff.

I ran it for a couple of years. Prolly should have changed it every year.

There's info online re its issues.

 

[AUSMHLY]

How often should we flush the antifreeze?

I use a flush kit (garden hose, tap water) and a chemical flush, both by Prestone.
Drain the system then add 50/50 Antifreeze and distilled water.



John, what corrosion inhibitor do you use?
Have you noticed a difference?

Steve, any idea why the Water Wetter introduced more rust?

 

[steveg]

Steve, any idea why the Water Wetter introduced more rust?

Nope. Folks online say it's an old product and breaks down quickly. Royal Purple evidently has a better product.

I just said the h*** with it and went back to coolant.

 

[red57]

Thanks for the feedback Steve. I tried water wetter once several years ago for just a few weeks but it didn't seem to reduce operating temps so I went back to water. I didn't have it in long enough to have any rust/crud build up. Glad to hear the filter isn't normally needed.

For years I ran plain water with water pump lube for antirust because racing rules prohibit antifreeze because it's so slippery and doesn't evaporate away like water and could cause a dangerous track surface if you had a leak.

Dave

 

[John Turney]

How often should we flush the antifreeze?

I use a flush kit (garden hose, tap water) and a chemical flush, both by Prestone.
Drain the system then add 50/50 Antifreeze and distilled water.

View attachment 64707View attachment 64708

John, what corrosion inhibitor do you use?
Have you noticed a difference?

Steve, any idea why the Water Wetter introduced more rust?

I used the Prestone flush kit and Prestone AF. When I did my last flush, I used a Ford Motorcraft product recommended by Steve Day (British Car Ranch), but I don't recall which one, since I'm not at home.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I used this stuff on my dad's T-Bird:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI7OicwLzn6gIVQx-tBh2Q0gA6EAQYASABEgIV0PD_BwE

Seemed to work pretty good; not sure if it was worth the price and shipping cost.