Ever have the water drain stick?

[EMDDIESEL]

A few weeks ago while getting fuel i opened the water drain in the fuel filter like i always do every few thousand miles and then closed it. I started up and drove about 4 miles and pulled into a parking lot and idled like i always do for about 30 seconds till my EGT's come down. When i got out, there was a HUGE puddle of diesel fuel and a trail going out of the parking lot (I later followed it was a 4" wide streak for 4 MILES!). Even though the valve was snapped down, the valve was open. I had to lift the handle then snap it closed again, problem solved. Has that happened to anyone else in here? Is it a freak thing?, or should i bring it to DC (Nightmare)?

 

[MikeR]

Yes, it has happened to me as well as alot of other people. I have stopped draining my valve at fuel-ups... I have never found water in my fuel. The only time I open it is for fuel filter changes, and it usually sticks open. But I have never left it open, because when I snap it back down I can feel the proper tension isn't there.

 

[HGDMARTN]

Happened to me about a year ago and I left a trail 6 miles long. Got you beat by a whole 2 miles!

Tried it one more time about 6 months ago and it did it again. This time it just peed a little puddle at the station before I got it shut down.

To heck with trying it anymore. I learn quickly.

Must be a cruddy design or something.



David

 

[GMcLean]

Next time you drain any fuel out, just push down a little bit on the top of the drain cock. The o-rings just seem to hold the valve partially open after it is drained. Just my two cents. .

 

[Lurch]

Stuck on a filter change. Drove a little over 200 mi down the interstate. Bad mileage.



Lurch

 

[JGarcia]

Yup, I would have gone 30 miles if not for a nice guy on the interstate that screamed that I was pouring something all over the highway. I just flipped it up and back again and it was done. Boy was I glad to see that was all it was!



JRG

 

[THerman]

I agree with GMcLean.



I drained it very well!!!



just push down on the top after closing to make sure it drops down and closes...



Tod

 

[CharlieMiller]

I have the opposite problem. When I opened mine - tried it a few times nothing came out. This is the first time I tried to open it. I figure I will try again soon and see what happens. I mean this isn't rocket science here - may have a bad valve?

 

[THerman]

Originally posted by CharlieMiller

I mean this isn't rocket science here - may have a bad valve?

Oh, but it is!!!



I thought the same thing at first... . you have to wait a little bit for flow to start... not like draining a gascolator bowl...



It drains very slowly, but it will drain.



Good luck!



Tod

 

[CharlieMiller]

Tod,

I had the valve open for about 3-4 minutes and nothing. I also opened and closed it about 5-6 times. It did sound like it was sucking air but nada. Like I said I will try again when I get a chance. probably not until the weekend so I can see what I'm doing.



Charlie

 

[THerman]

Something doesn't sound right... .

I know they said not to open this while running, but I've done it VERY QUICKLY... . just for a fraction of a second... . if there is something plugging it, the 15psi at idle should blow it out, just make sure you just crack in and be prepared to close it quickly... .



Also might want to go ahead an replace the filter... . doesn't take long. Just don't buy the filter from Dodge... too much $$$!



Tod

 

[georgej]

Charlie,



After opening the drain valve on my 2001 I need to unscrew the schrader cap and hit the button with a small screwdiver tip to break the " vacuum " and then the fuel will flow. It's located on the top of the housing firewall side!





George