Is it necessary to have a coolant filter? The base and lines, shut off valve and filter o-ring has leaked from time to time over the years - I have a blank filter without additive puck. Question is - Is it necessary, or can bypass for simplicity? It's back to leaking again, just another thing I don't need to mess with OTR. Thanks.
As long as you are running extended life coolant you can do away with it. I finally swapped my B over to extended life and put plugs in where the filter lines come out
I had trucks with and without. Never been an issue . Dont remember about my cascadia ... I think i dont have one on it
One more potential leak. If you want to run one, use the need release filter w/additive. Fleets love them. Adds some when the thin layer of sacrificial metal erodes. Change them once a year. Belt and suspenders approach. I had one on this Truck, till the hose blew. Took it off. If I were to use one, I’d put shutoffs at the block/radiatorpipe/waterpump, wherever the hoses are, not just on either side of the filter. That way it can be isolated if a hose leaks.
My .02, I would replace the orings on the base and put ball valves instead of using those “faucet” valve set up. That’s exactly what I “did” to my set up. I’ve seen junk inside those coolant filters, I wouldn’t want that junk plug up any tubes inside the radiator core. That’s just my opinion. I’m not no certified mechanic, just a “shade tree” one. Those coolant filters are there for a reason.
I use elc and a non additive cat filter. It's a convenient place to get coolant samples while the engine is running.
