Drain your fuel filter on a regular basis

[WHazelwood]

A couple of weeks ago the CEL came on and Dodge said it was emissions related and just needed to be driven hard. Took it to the NC mountains for the weekend and the CEL went away. Later the next week it started running rough with another CEL. Dodge said they found water in the fuel even though the WIF light never came on and codes were P2270, P2285, P2BAC. Long story short - They've dropped the tank and cleaned the fuel system, replaced 3 injectors, and are now waiting on a new head since a valve on #4 was stuck closed. Said they split the filter housing trying to get it open and replaced it. Truck's been in the shop 2 weeks now and still waiting on the new head to arrive.
What would cause the valve to stick? Oil gets changed when the EVIC says to (about 2500-3000 miles)
What else should I be concerned about?

 

[Wayne M.]

Not a 4th gen guy, but something(s) just don't sound right here. Valves don't just get stuck shut, and heads don't get chucked because of it. Been running diesel personally since '97 and been working with it since '89. I've never had a water breach causing engine damage personally, and aside from a few severe cases, never seen water get past a good water separator.
I would get down there and get in the shop for a visual on your baby.

 

[WHazelwood]

They saved a fuel sample and it was cloudy and had some water. I'd been having a small mechanic's shop change the oil and filters for me to try to help the guy out but now I'm questioning if he ever changed the fuel filter since Dodge said the cap was stuck so tight that they split the filter case trying to get it off. I saw the stuck valve and have no explanation for that since that does not seem to have a relation with a failed injector. I'm no ordinary dummy, I'm a retired mechanical engineer and have been twisting wrenches for 50 + years. so that just makes me an extra-ordinary dummy.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow. Now there's some answers. Are they questioning the oil changes too? I would question where you fuel up too. I only take from a high volume dealer and never when there's a drop happening. This goes for the gassers too and my wife is trained. :-laf
I also keep my fuel receipts. Just in case.

 

[Newsa]

Was it covered under warrantee?

 

[WHazelwood]

So far it's all covered by warrantee except the cleaning of the fuel system.
I plan to take the fuel sample and my receipts back to the station and see what they'll do.
What's a puzzle to me is the stuck valve.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I smell a large pile of BS...........coming from your dealers service department.

 

[w6pea]

I smell a large pile of BS...........coming from your dealers service department.

I do not know what to think. But I would be asking to see all of the parts yay the dealer said they replaced. Just my thoughts.

 

[Newsa]

For 20+ years cummins only had one fuel filter. Now there's 2. And both do some water separating.

Of course presence of the dual filters allows longer filter life. But should also provide more water protection than before

 

[SnoKing]

For 20+ years cummins only had one fuel filter. Now there's 2. And both do some water separating.

Of course presence of the dual filters allows longer filter life. But should also provide more water protection than before

Longer filter life? I changed my 2001.5 about every 20K and the new truck is 15K and much more expensive filters!!! SNOKING

 

[Wayne M.]

For 20+ years cummins only had one fuel filter. Now there's 2. And both do some water separating.

Of course presence of the dual filters allows longer filter life. But should also provide more water protection than before

You have to consider the advancements in diesel injection technology and process. A first gen pump can run on Wesson oil. Better not try that with your 6.7. Technology pushed the demand for better filtration. In the big truck world, things haven't changed all too much, just on the final end.

 

[Newsa]

Longer filter life? I changed my 2001.5 about every 20K and the new truck is 15K and much more expensive filters!!! SNOKING

My bad. I thought fuel filters were supposed to be changed at oil change intervals. Guess that's just the 4th gens.

Snoking, did you have to drain water out between 20k fuel filter changes?

 

[WHazelwood]

Finally got the truck back yesterday after 3 weeks of having withdrawal symptoms. 3 New injectors, a new head because of the stuck valve on #4 and a new filter housing w/ water sensor.
They never did explain why it never set a water in fuel alarm. Everything was covered under warrantee except the draining and cleaning of the fuel system. Now to see if the station that sold the fuel will do anything.
Keep grinnin,

 

[SnoKing]

OK, we are getting ready for a snowbird trip South, so today I decided I should learn to drain water or fuel without water, which is better. A 18-24" piece of 5/16" clear plastic tubing is helpful. I turned on my smart phone flash lite and set it on top of the driveline. Slid the hose on and the knob did not want to turn. Went the computer and read page 294 of the diesel supplement manual. Said turn knob CCW. Back to the garage and turn the knob harder and it then turned. Manual said to open it one full turn. Nothing came out at first, then is ran out very showly. NO WATER! Which is good, as truck sat on dealers lot for quite a few months before we purchased it in Sept. Has 4400+ miles on it now.

SNOKING

 

[JohnCW]

Turn the key to on to activate fuel pump , this will get things going !

 

[gsbrockman]

OK, we are getting ready for a snowbird trip South, so today I decided I should learn to drain water or fuel without water, which is better.

Did you drain the front one....or not????

 

[SnoKing]

Did you drain the front one....or not????

Have to look at that one today. SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

Turn the key to on to activate fuel pump , this will get things going !

Key? We do not have a key except the emergency one that is inside the FOB!!! I start it with my smart phone right? :-laf :-laf SNOKING

 

[JohnCW]

Well give Cherry a push on her fob, or app, or button on dash.:-laf:-laf