Extending fuel canister drain hose

[Radshooter]

With all the posts going on about water in fuel problems, I figure it is time to check my situation. No problems yet, but just wondering. Does anyone know offhand what size hose I need to extend the drain hose from my fuel filter canister? Will a chunk of garden hose work? Do you guys leave the extension on all the time, or just when you are filling the glass bottle?



Thanks

Steve (still a newbie)

 

[RPotter]

Steve,



I have 12K on mine, and have never had to drain it yet. I just do it at oil change time, and it seems to take care of the problem. It is possible however, at anytime to get a poor batch of fuel. Just in case, (I have a weatherguard box on my truck) I carry a plastic jar, and use a long neck funnel I have cut to length, just fits with the drain hose in the top, going down into the jar. Seems to set up fine and should work should I ever have to use it.



Hopefully you won't have to worry if you can manage to fill up at locations where it looks like they move alot of fuel... .

 

[Matt400]

Remember you are only supposed to remove a couple tablespoons, draining can make for a hard start. Any water settles on the bottom anyway.

 

[Tony T.]

A 2L empty pop bottle works good for me when draining, hose slides right in and bottle rest on top of axle. No mess!



Tony

 

[gsbrockman]

Remember you are only supposed to remove a couple tablespoons, draining can make for a hard start. Any water settles on the bottom anyway.

I've never had any problems whatsoever with re-starting my CTD after complete drainings whilst performing fuel filter changes (the canister needs to be drained to clean the WIF sensor properly). I let the key cycle twice and it cranks right on over for me. I always drain some fuel at the truckstop where I purchase my fuel every other fill up, too.

Greg

 

[DJaquez]

I use an 18" legnth of 3/4" garden hose to extend the drain tube to my drain pan. Works every time no mess. I completely drain the canister every time I change the filter. Then I follow the directions in the owners manual - cycling the key three times. Starts no problem.

 

[whamby]

It is also handy to use when you need that little extra to get your campfire started. Just cycle the key a few times to fill a coke bottle and you have instant fire.

 

[Radshooter]

thanks for all the ideas. I don't have a 2-liter bottle, but maybe the rootbeer bottle that just became available will work. If not, I will look for a long-neck funnel or a chunk of garden hose.



Thanks... . Steve

 

[drewRoberts]

I have some 3/4" ID hose laying around, cut about 2 feet off and slipped it around the existing hose. changed filter and yanked the extension off. easy as that. you can get it from home depot



BTW, this was the first time the filter has been changed in my truck and boy was that thing nasty black. (only 9000 miles)

 

[Radshooter]

follow-up and more questions

Ok guys..... I got the rootbeer plastic bottle in place, opened the valve and drained about an inch of fuel into the bottle. Is this enough? I did this about 3 hours ago. How long does it take to seperate if there is any water in the fuel? Is 3 hours enough, or should I let it sit overnight? I can see some flecks of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. Just a few, but they are there. Is this something to worry about? I rinsed the bottle before I used it.



Thanks... . Steve

 

[drewRoberts]

it should seperate like oil and vinegar salad dressing.

 

[Allnew2Me]

Fuel extension hose

I just bought a 2001 and one of the first things I did was extend the fuel filter drain so it wouldn't be so difficult to drain, or spill all over the front differential. I had a tough time finding fuel resistant clear hosing but finally found it at a garden supply. It is 3/8" diameter fuel and chemical resistant and I bought 3 feet of it and ran it down and back, zip-tying it so it ends about 2 inches below the front U-joint, tied to the brake line. Now I just have to slide a pan under the truck and flip the lever. Works great