Help Me Decide On Filter Strategy!

[rgiles]

I'm having trouble deciding which way to go with an external Transmission filter and temp gauge combination.

Heres my choices under consideration:

1) MagnefineInline filter
2) Permacool from Summit Racing which is basically an oil filter.

Keep in mind I have an '02 X which has a unique tranny fluid change procedure.

Magnefine pros:
Has a magnet to remove 99% metal particles
OEM's approve of this filter
Small, easy to locate a place to install

Magnefine Cons:
Only good for 20,000 miles
Relatively Expensive (20 to $40)
Doesn't include a way to attach a temp sensor
Not as many vendors to purchase from.
Not as easy to replace as Oil filter approach

Permacool Pros:
Uses standard oil filter
Inexpensive to change
Easy to change just spin off.
Includes a tap for a temp sensor
Good for up to 50,000 miles

Permacool Cons:
Difficult to find a good mounting point. Don't want to mount in wheel well
Not specifically approved by Ford (Will it void the Warrantee?)

Ok for the temp sensor I'm considering going with the
Dakota Digital Rectangular Gauge and mounting it beneath my climate controls. I don't think the round will fit easily there.

So feel free to offer your opinions and help me decide!

Thanks

 

[Opera House]

Simple is better. None!

You have years before you have to think about putting a filter on your 02. I have the oil filter type on my 97 but that had over 120K when I did it. I only used the remote oil filter for $12 and made up my own plumbing. I am also going to put one on my 92 after I finish rebuilding my transmision to trap the stuff I didn't clean out. I see the filter as a safety net for after the transmission has problems.

 

[dogfriend]

Since you are worried about keeping the warrenty in effect, you could consider a third option: Ford sells an inline filter which is recommended after a trans rebuild to catch all the particles floating around in there. See this reply: Dead Link Removed

Picture: http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/trnsfltr.jpg


I think that the Permacool type is best, so that is what I'm going to install. I already have the kit, but haven't found the time to do it yet.

Part of the reason its taking me so long is that I plan to fabricate a bracket so that it will be mounted in the space between the bumper and radiator but tucked up so the bottom is flush with the bottom of the frame rail. Ive eyeballed the installation already, and have some Alum Plate, but haven't had the time to do any cutting or drilling.

I'm also planning to install the external cooler that I bought over two years ago

 

[aldive]

Re: Simple is better. None!

Originally posted by Opera House
You have years before you have to think about putting a filter on your 02. .

Why do you say that?

I would install it asap; cheap insurance.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rgiles
Magnefine pros:
Has a magnet to remove 99% metal particles

Most of the tranny parts are non magnetic ( Aluminum ). I think this would be a gimick.

 

[rgiles]

Re: Simple is better. None!

Originally posted by Opera House
You have years before you have to think about putting a filter on your 02. I have the oil filter type on my 97 but that had over 120K when I did it. I only used the remote oil filter for $12 and made up my own plumbing. I am also going to put one on my 92 after I finish rebuilding my transmision to trap the stuff I didn't clean out. I see the filter as a safety net for after the transmission has problems.

Opera House, not according to the shop manual on the '02 explorer. It specifically states that an inline filter will be added at the first transmission fluid change. According to my Service Log that came with the X, it has transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles. If it's good to add at 30,000, it should be better to add at 1000 don't ya think.

Plus I plan on keeping this X until it dies, and I would like to get 150,000 trouble free miles out of the transmission and engine. More would be better of course.

Dogfriend, thanks for the link. I see the ford filter is very similar to the Magnafine, and is probably like the one that Opera pointed out at bulkparts. If I can find an adequate mounting point for the Perma Cool, I think I'll go with that option because it will end up being less expensive all the way around and should provide good filtering.

aldive, I'm not sure about it being a gimmick, as the Magnafine also has a regular filter membrane. They have magnets in the pan, so I would assume there are some metal that magnets can attract. But Im with you in that I'm not sure its any better than a good oil filter.


Anyone else with an opinion?

 

[aldive]

I use the oil filter typr filter and at each change I cut it open to see what it "caught". I have yet to see any particulate matter. But I sleep better knowing its there.

 

[rgiles]

Ok, I just got off the phone with the Ford Dealer. They do recommend the Transmission Flush at 30,000 miles on the '02's, and the whole 30,000 service package only costs a bargain basement $440. Ok, so now I'm convinced I'm changing my own transmission fluids. I know they do other things also, but it's mostly inspections. I bet I can get another mechanic to do all of the inspections for one hour's labor, and he'll probably do it while I wait!.

I'll do the transmission flush myself thank you. Ok, so now just need to check to see if there's a good place to mount the perma-cool type filter.

 

[rgiles]

Originally posted by aldive
I use the oil filter typr filter and at each change I cut it open to see what it "caught". I have yet to see any particulate matter. But I sleep better knowing its there.

How often do you change it? I'm thinking of going with synthetic fluids, and changing the filter and having the fluid tested every 30k. I'll just top it off with fresh fluid unless the test comes back with significant issues. What do ya think of that idea? I think that will keep the Warantee issue a non-issue, and will probably save some money to boot.

 

[aldive]

Why do you not want to mount in the wheel well area?

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rgiles
How often do you change it? ]

I am sure its overkill, but I change it when I change the engine oil filter; every 5k miles.

 

[rgiles]

Originally posted by aldive
Why do you not want to mount in the wheel well area?

I prefer it to not be seen. I just took a look at mounting locations and the '02 so far looks like it was designed very well. Everything seems to be in a good location, easy to get to, and space left over. Changing the oil and filter will be a snap. I took some pictures of a possible mount points, but not sure if I can upload here or not.

 

[aldive]

E mail the pics to me and I will post for you. al@fdu.com

 

[rgiles]

aldive, just emailed two pics for you to post.

 

[aldive]

Here are his pics......

 

[aldive]

and another...
Please post an explanation of the pics.....

 

[rgiles]

Pictures Explained

The first picture shows where the transmission lines come up to the front of the vehicle. The lines are the black ones in the upper left. The front of the vehicle is towards the lower right, where the frame leads to the bumper.

I think I can mount an oil filter type transmission filter on the frame on the other side of where you see the lines. There's lots of room in there.

The 2nd picture shows the center console of my Explorer. I would like to mount a temp guage in the floor console just below the climate controls. I'm not sure what's behind that panel, but I guess I better remove it to find out before I order a gauge. Anyone know if theres a few inches of clearance behind that panel?

 

[aldive]

There is nothing behind the console on my 99; thats where I mounted my crossovers for the component speakers.

 

[dogfriend]

Re: Re: Simple is better. None!

Originally posted by rgiles


Dogfriend, thanks for the link. I see the ford filter is very similar to the Magnafine, and is probably like the one that Opera pointed out at bulkparts. If I can find an adequate mounting point for the Perma Cool, I think I'll go with that option because it will end up being less expensive all the way around and should provide good filtering.

.

Anyone else with an opinion?

I think that the Ford filter is *exactly* the same as the Magnafine with one difference: It has a Ford part number on the side.

I only suggested this because it would be pretty difficult for them to come up with a logical arguement to weasel out of any warrenty repairs if you use the Ford approved filter.

I think that the Permacool type filter is better in the long run because its easy to change (and therefore will get changed more often) and cheaper too.

Aldive's point is well taken: only some of the metal particles are magnetic (the ones with iron mostly) but you want to get all of the particles out

I got lots of other opinions, too, but you asked about trans filters...

 

[rgiles]

Re: Re: Re: Simple is better. None!

Originally posted by dogfriend

I only suggested this because it would be pretty difficult for them to come up with a logical arguement to weasel out of any warrenty repairs if you use the Ford approved filter.

That is my only concern with not using the ford recommended part. I think the law is such that they need to have evidence that the modification was the cause of the failure. Of course now that they are actually recommending adding the filter as part of transmission service, I wouldn't be following their recommendations exactly giving them at least a reason to raise a question. That's the dilemma. If anyone has had 30k transmission service done on the 02 X, I would be very interested in knowing where they added the filter, or if they even did add it.