Backwashing the donaldson

[lancaster,pa]

Just wondering if anyone has ever tried backwashing the donaldson (once it is plugged and then taken off the truck) with a bit of diesel fuel and then using it in the filtration process. - Patrick

[Marv]

Interesting idea for sure Patrick, but I've never tried it.

I think I'd be too worried about allowing trash into my engine by re-using the filter - in other words I wouldn't do a good job backwashing it.

Plus, no more expensive than the filters are, I guess I'll just stick to slapping a new one on there.

[lancaster,pa]

Interesting idea for sure Patrick, but I've never tried it.

I think I'd be too worried about allowing trash into my engine by re-using the filter - in other words I wouldn't do a good job backwashing it.

Plus, no more expensive than the filters are, I guess I'll just stick to slapping a new one on there.

Thanks Marv, I was thinking about using the filter in my filtration process (not on the truck). Feel the same as you about using it over again on the V3. - Patrick

[Marv]

Well, I'm sure the Donaldsons still have some life left in them when the green light starts flashing, so I imagine you could do that.

Always a concern of contamination I suppose, but the oil is going to pass through a new Donaldson once in the truck anyways.

[skyskijason]

I haven't got a base for the Donaldson yet (I got 15k miles out of first one...), but I use the VO filters from my F350 after removing from truck until they just trickle oil. I get every penny's worth out of my filters! Besides, the dirtier they get, the more stuff they 'trap'. I have not tried to backflush one yet, not sure you'd see alot of extra life from this though. I think it would move sesame seeds out of media, but it is the really small stuff that 'plugs' the filter up. (I suspect it is largely polymerization )

[sbaker]

I don't really know what the internal plumbing of the V3 looks like, but doesn't the purge backwash the filter with diesel?

[lancaster,pa]

I don't really know what the internal plumbing of the V3 looks like, but doesn't the purge backwash the filter with diesel?

sbaker,
When the V3 purges, the filter is bypassed. Diesel goes through the V3 and then through the return line to the tank and takes about 10 seconds or so to do that. - Patrick

[sbaker]

sbaker,
When the V3 purges, the filter is bypassed. Diesel goes through the V3 and then through the return line to the tank and takes about 10 seconds or so to do that. - Patrick

OK - thanks. Now that you mention the purge time, it seems obvious that it must bypass. Mine also takes 10 or 11 seconds to get to the tank and there's I don't think it could do that if it went through the filter.

[mankypro]

Dunno what micron rating the DFA sanctioned Donaldson filters are, but they are 1-14 thread which means that you can use many of several filters on the filter head such as WIX 33674 and all it's clones it's rated at 2 microns...

They're about $11.00 at Fleetfilter...