i`ve seen coolant filters at many diesel trucks, and actually its the norm for tractors.
for the average joe it might be an overkill, but on the other hand, vitaras have been known to suffer from clogging (especially in the radiator).
so...suggestions and jerry-rigging i`ve seen:
1.a fuel filter inline with the heater input hose:
-not all fuel filters can withstand coolant temperatures.
-clogs rather easily and no bypass valve (which can be dangerous if not changed often).
2.an oil filter inline with the heater input hose:
-some oil filters can be quite restrictrive.
-most have a valve bypass in case it clogs.
3.a special coolant filter inline with the heater input hose:
-expensive, efficient but never tested in a vitara (or small block engine for that matter).
4.a sediment 'filter' inline with the upper rad hose:
-only really large sediments captured with these; not quite 'filtering'.
all the above can be found online on ebay,sites,blogs and forums.
another suggestion/thought however would be to use something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Water-Filter-Tempe...B004C3XG6G
its huge, will not clog nearly as easily as the other filters, can withstand 200F (some can go even higher to 250F), and usually is eqquiped with stainless steel dense net core to filter 50-100microns: ie, minimal flow resistance plus there is no chance of failure due to paper melting or breaking apart (like the other filters listed above). its also easy to clean and re-use.
another radical approach would be to use something like this:
http://www.hydrotherm.gr/shop/index.php?...ductId=354
(no the 'S' emblem is not for 'Suzuki' or 'Superman', LOL).
these are used in heater circuits found in buildings. has all the advantages of the previous suggestion, plus it has a reverse-flushing tap at the bottom for cleaning (not sure if its usable in our example/vitara due to low pressure though). also equipped with neodymium magnets at the core to trap iron particles.
comments?
i guess that the average joe will be just fine with a few cycles of tap water flushing and fresh coolant every 2 years. but filtered coolant should mean much cleaner passages and almost 0 possibility of radiator (and anything else) clogging.
for the average joe it might be an overkill, but on the other hand, vitaras have been known to suffer from clogging (especially in the radiator).
so...suggestions and jerry-rigging i`ve seen:
1.a fuel filter inline with the heater input hose:
-not all fuel filters can withstand coolant temperatures.
-clogs rather easily and no bypass valve (which can be dangerous if not changed often).
2.an oil filter inline with the heater input hose:
-some oil filters can be quite restrictrive.
-most have a valve bypass in case it clogs.
3.a special coolant filter inline with the heater input hose:
-expensive, efficient but never tested in a vitara (or small block engine for that matter).
4.a sediment 'filter' inline with the upper rad hose:
-only really large sediments captured with these; not quite 'filtering'.
all the above can be found online on ebay,sites,blogs and forums.
another suggestion/thought however would be to use something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Water-Filter-Tempe...B004C3XG6G
its huge, will not clog nearly as easily as the other filters, can withstand 200F (some can go even higher to 250F), and usually is eqquiped with stainless steel dense net core to filter 50-100microns: ie, minimal flow resistance plus there is no chance of failure due to paper melting or breaking apart (like the other filters listed above). its also easy to clean and re-use.
another radical approach would be to use something like this:
http://www.hydrotherm.gr/shop/index.php?...ductId=354
(no the 'S' emblem is not for 'Suzuki' or 'Superman', LOL).
these are used in heater circuits found in buildings. has all the advantages of the previous suggestion, plus it has a reverse-flushing tap at the bottom for cleaning (not sure if its usable in our example/vitara due to low pressure though). also equipped with neodymium magnets at the core to trap iron particles.
comments?
i guess that the average joe will be just fine with a few cycles of tap water flushing and fresh coolant every 2 years. but filtered coolant should mean much cleaner passages and almost 0 possibility of radiator (and anything else) clogging.
Vitara 1998, 1.6L/16v, 5door, 5speed, G16BS.