Casting Sand: 6.4 Hemi HD Coolant Filter

[Erikk]

Link sent me to a fake cyber attack screen. It's actually a scam attempting to get users to contact them to pressure you. I've seen this one before.

Here’s a couple other screenshots involving other claims for the same general problem:

 

[mtnrider]

There has been a few HD trucks with Cummins engines suffering similar plugged heater core issues. My buddy had the heater core in his '14 replacement because it was plugged.

I'm fighting it myself. I did an air assisted reverse flush and it helped but it's just buying me time I am sure. It's a Very prevalent problem across the Ram brand, not just the cummins. I see posts about no or poor heat every day and it almost always turns out to be the heater core (in the 4th gen trucks).

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[HEMIMANN]

I'm fighting it myself. I did an air assisted reverse flush and it helped but it's just buying me time I am sure. It's a Very prevalent problem across the Ram brand, not just the cummins. I see posts about no or poor heat every day and it almost always turns out to be the heater core (in the 4th gen trucks).

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This is confirmed grey iron green casting sand? Not rust flakes or something?

 

[crash68]

That makes me wonder if there is a chemical reaction happening between the new OAT coolant and some cooling system parts that is producing something that resembles sand.

The originally the OAT coolant FCA was going to use was Orange just like the HOAT coolant that they used in the pre-'13 vehicles. They added the purple color to make it distinguishable. I wonder if that's why the coolant changes color over time and with temperature.

 

[mtnrider]

This is confirmed grey iron green casting sand? Not rust flakes or something?

I can't confirm casting sand, just clogged. The casting sand thing has been circulating for many many years but I'm not sure if it is still an issue or if it is something else? I can say I did not see any sand come out of mine nor have I seen anyone with a clogged core get sand out of one. It's usually particles of random stuff (some grey iron) and other crap and goo.
I'm not sure if coolant sitting in the bottom and small passages of the core are just letting sediment and crap clog it up over time or what?

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[White six four]

I've heard (read) of a few that were plugged on the outside of the heater core. Since a lot of these trucks up until 17 or 18, not quite sure on exact year or if it was only the upper models that got them, didn't have cabin air filters. So a lot of dust and everything else would get inside the system and clog them from the outside. My 16 didn't come with a cabin air filter. I added one. With my truck the heat is great but you can definitely tell there is less air movement coming out of the vents compared to the ac or cold setting.

 

[mtnrider]

I've heard (read) of a few that were plugged on the outside of the heater core. Since a lot of these trucks up until 17 or 18, not quite sure on exact year or if it was only the upper models that got them, didn't have cabin air filters. So a lot of dust and everything else would get inside the system and clog them from the outside. My 16 didn't come with a cabin air filter. I added one. With my truck the heat is great but you can definitely tell there is less air movement coming out of the vents compared to the ac or cold setting.

It's actually the evaporator that could get clogged if you don't have a filter, the heater core is further down the line and the dirt won't get that far in most cases. It will restricted the air flow though.

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[Erikk]

I can't confirm casting sand, just clogged. The casting sand thing has been circulating for many many years but I'm not sure if it is still an issue or if it is something else? I can say I did not see any sand come out of mine nor have I seen anyone with a clogged core get sand out of one. It's usually particles of random stuff (some grey iron) and other crap and goo.
I'm not sure if coolant sitting in the bottom and small passages of the core are just letting sediment and crap clog it up over time or what?

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This is what came out of mine and there was no evidence of anything else in it. Vent temp went from lukewarm to 170* after I back flushed it and I’ve had the same results each time. I’ve back flushed it 6 times in 2 years. The problem started after I changed my thermostat, then a couple weeks later had to change my radiator. Coolant only has about 35k on it because it was totally changed out during both repairs. Those particles look like a coating that is breaking loose (not plastic I checked by heating) but if I rub them between my thumb and finger they turn to something like dust. Makes me think it might be remnant casting sand dust.

 

[White six four]

It's actually the evaporator that could get clogged if you don't have a filter, the heater core is further down the line and the dirt won't get that far in most cases. It will restricted the air flow though.

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Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[mtnrider]

This is what came out of mine and there was no evidence of anything else in it. Vent temp went from lukewarm to 170* after I back flushed it and I’ve had the same results each time. I’ve back flushed it 6 times in 2 years. The problem started after I changed my thermostat, then a couple weeks later had to change my radiator. Coolant only has about 35k on it because it was totally changed out during both repairs. Those particles look like a coating that is breaking loose (not plastic I checked by heating) but if I rub them between my thumb and finger they turn to something like dust. Makes me think it might be remnant casting sand dust.

That does not look like what came out of mine, but that definitely looks like some sort of sand.

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[WY-Dave]

We had 2 '14 Wranglers with 3.6 and both had sand in the coolant.
This was about 5000 miles.

 

[Mister Luck]

The JEEP 3.6 problem the earlier website link explains the casting sand is from the cylinder heads not the engine block.

What is unusual about this claim is sand only in the coolant passages and not in the oil passages which would be more logical, the sand represented in the photos looks like a clay color sand that is tan possibly a quarts based sand that has been exposed to oxidized iron filings from the heater core ?

Most imperfections in aluminum castings are not just in coolant passages, but throughout the entire interior surface and resemble thin superficial sheets of aluminum.
Sand could be caught inside between the sheets and cast surface but a substantial amount of aluminum would be present also.
In this youtube video the explanation from a member of the JEEP 3.6 community is the cooling system replacement is the only cure .

Jeep Wrangler JK CASTING SAND FIX!! Replacing Radiator and Heater Core

This video is how to fix and replace the radiator, reservoir and the heater core WITHOUT removing the entire dash in a 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler.Do you have la...

m.youtube.com

 

[Mister Luck]

I believe an easier scenario exists as an explanation where the initial coolant fill was contaminated with sand by the factory because of poor water quality standards.

 

[Erikk]

I believe an easier scenario exists as an explanation where the initial coolant fill was contaminated with sand by the factory because of poor water quality standards.

This makes sense. Maybe certain days during production there was more sand in the coolant than other days that’s why it’s not a 100% problem.

 

[Daw14]

Is it Michigan or Mexican water that is the source ?

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Where is the cooling system charged, don't they use distilled water with the antifreeze?

 

[chri5k]

I believe an easier scenario exists as an explanation where the initial coolant fill was contaminated with sand by the factory because of poor water quality standards.

This makes sense. Maybe certain days during production there was more sand in the coolant than other days that’s why it’s not a 100% problem.

Highly unlikely. It is not like they push the trucks out behind the assembly plant and use tap water from a hose out back and some gallon jugs to fill cooling systems at the factory. The factory has a water distilling system to produce distilled water which is then mixed with the coolant concentrate from a gun much like a soda fountain. The sand would have to somehow make it past the multiple mechanical filters and then somehow be levitated by the column of steam in the distiller. Once it did that it would have go though the passage ways in the dispenser without causing problems in the dispenser system.

 

[ripping r]

I dont have any problems right now. but i bought this to keep it that way.

Inline Heater Core Coolant Filter, Inspection System 5/8" VE-Labs CIFS-1, CFIS-1 | eBay

Inline Heater Hose Coolant Filter. It also regulates the pressure entering the heater core. The 5/8” size is the most popular. Note: May not work with dual heater system as in SUV or Van. Patented Filter: Never has there been a filter that not only looks great, but lets you see dirt and debris...

www.ebay.com

 

[Erikk]

I dont have any problems right now. but i bought this to keep it that way.

Inline Heater Core Coolant Filter, Inspection System 5/8" VE-Labs CIFS-1, CFIS-1 | eBay

Inline Heater Hose Coolant Filter. It also regulates the pressure entering the heater core. The 5/8” size is the most popular. Note: May not work with dual heater system as in SUV or Van. Patented Filter: Never has there been a filter that not only looks great, but lets you see dirt and debris...

www.ebay.com

I was getting too many mystery flakes with mine so I took it off a couple hours ago. It definitely works but my system is way too contaminated for it. I’m wondering now if maybe it’s cooked coolant from the egr cooler that is breaking free from the walls. It’s like a bunch of well defined flakes. It turns to powder if you rub it.

 

[ripping r]

I was getting too many mystery flakes with mine so I took it off a couple hours ago. It definitely works but my system is way too contaminated for it. I’m wondering now if maybe it’s cooked coolant from the egr cooler that is breaking free from the walls. It’s like a bunch of well defined flakes. It turns to powder if you rub it.

you have some big chunks. no way those went through the water pump. or the tstat. if its coolant could one put some in a pan and boil it to see if it does the same in the pan?