I just changed over to Final Charge OAT coolant based on this thread, and the fact that the dealer couldn't confirm what they put into the coach in 2018 when they installed a new radiator. From a preventive maintenance perspective, should I put a coolant filter change interval on my calendar? While I know that the filter is "blank," I assume that means blank from a chemical perspective and not from a filtering perspective. As such, I was thinking of replacing the filter (I only noticed 1) annually, perhaps?
How long do you think the current filter has been installed? It would be interesting to know and would possibly answer your question.....when you do change the filter cut it open to see what's been trapped during its tenure.
It was probably there since mid-2018, but it's long gone as they did the flush/new coolant & filter on May 24.
I think the filter is not to filter anything out but to add SCA additives to the coolant. Depending on which coolant you use it could be different or even a blank filter.
Watch out if you take your rig in for pm at Newell and your running an OAT coolant. Couple months ago they spun on an SCA release filter forcing me to drain my 2 month old OAT coolant. When i asked why they would not use a blank filter with an OAT coolant they point blank stated that have never used a blank coolant filter on any rig going through a pm at the factory and only use SCA filters on ALL DD60s no matter the coolant type. I was shocked.
Jesse coach #582
To close the loop on my "blank" OAT coolant filter question, above, I spoke to a seated coach operator, today. The filter used for OAT coolant does have filtering media in it. They change them at 100K miles. What I didn't realize was that the filters used for SCA coolants don't actually filter, rather, they have layers that dissolve once the levels in the coolant drop and, thereby, release the next batch of chemical. All you gurus probably knew this, already, but in case there's a wannabeguru, like me, reading...
Anywho, thanks for the thread.
Robert,
What part number blank filter did you use?
Steve, i used a NAPA part number 4083 as the blank coolant filter with my final charge OAT on my DDS60. Getting it off Amazon saves you alot- 43 bucks vs 100 bucks in store.
Jesse White Newell Coach #582
steve, i see filterbarn has closed. what is your source now that they are gone. they were amazing
tom