fuel/water seperator drain open while driving

[A. Brown]

not really sure how it happened, I did a periodic drain and closed the valve, while driving I noticed my fuel guage was dropping and when I pulled off the road diesel fuel was pouring out of the drain tube, I figured I must have lost about four to five gallons. I reset the lever and that cured the problem. The truck ran fine the only thing that caught my eye as unusual was the fuel guage, I think there is a small lip that the drain lever can catch on that results in improper closure. My main concern is if I could have damaged anything in the pump, engine etc with all that fuel loss while driving, like I said the truck runs fine. Any feed back greatly appreciated.

 

[Chad Sheets]

I had the same thing happen. I opened it, then shut it. It still poured out. The entire lever/valve must screw into the filter housing or something. I gave it a little nudge in the clock wise position and it stopped? I never investigated it any more since it never happened again. I have it in the back of my head to check it out when I get around to upgrading those banjo fittings.

Youre not the only one. You have a twin leaker here.

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Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Member. http://www.geocities.com/chadsheets

 

[A. Brown]

from now on after I close the valve lever I'm going to start the engine and make sure the valve is properly closed. I freaked out when I looked under the hood with the engine running and saw all that fuel pouring out.

 

[Fuzz]

Happened to me first time yesterday.
Drained it as usual,flipped it down and headed out. Smelled the Diesel strong,stopped and it was gushing out. Did as Chad,pushed down on lever,seemed to move about a 1/4 inch or so and flow stopped. Seemed like a little catch or resistance as it went this last little bit. Your right Andy,will check this,carefully from now on.
Fuzz y2k 3500

 

[dmurdock]

I noticed this difference between my 98 and 01. The 98 just pushed down, the 01 has a definite "snap" when it is shut.



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'01 Eth 3500 dually, no mods planned except maybe an amsoil filter & guages. See My Truck and also be sure to read What tools & methods to use for an easy 1st oil change!!!
"Be happy you don't get all the government you pay for. " -W. C. Fields

 

[Deezul1]

Its all those extra valves, it confuses the poor thing.

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[illflem]

Deezel you're right,that along with the fact the new "improved"one is entirely different than the never leak ones that come on the 12 valves

 

[Bumble]

Hey guys, here's a question for ya. When you open your drain valve, can't you see fuel draining from the plastic tube? Every time I try draining mine, I have never seen fuel draining under the engine, or getting anything wet on the underside of the engine. And that's with periodic engine check (after the dealer screwed up the first oil change and the engine took an oil bath). I can see both the fuel drain hose and the crank case hose, but nothing ever comes out of the fuel one. On my 12 valver, it was easy to see when the fuel drained.

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2001, 3500, Cummins, SLT, 5sp, 3. 54LS, camper/tow package, 4x4, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[quadzilla]

Here is what may be a stupid question...
Is there a set interval to drain the fuel/water separator? Our old diesel Suburban had an idiot light on the dash that warned of water in fuel when it was time to drain it. I now have 22k miles on Quadzilla, and haven't drained it yet. I haven't seen any lights. I guess I was just waiting and figured she would tell me when she needed to go pee.

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Names: Truck-Quadzilla, Driver-Craig
2001 Quad Cab 2500 4x4, Short Bed, ETC, Auto, 3. 54 gears, SLT+, Sport, <font color=#228B22>Forest Green Pearl</font>, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, 305/70R16 Cooper Discoverer AT Tires on Stock Rims, <font color=#919191>Grizzly Double Bend Chrome Bars</font>, <font color=#F4A460>Catch-All Front Floor Mats</font>, Avital Remote Starter, APC Super White Headlamp Bulbs, <font color=#858585>Weather Tech Vent Visors</font>, DC Mudflaps, <font color=#B23AEE>Turbo Un-silenced</font>, <font color=#CD0000>K&N Filter</font> in Stock Airbox, Vacated Muffler, ISSPRO Mechanical Gauges (EGT, 50psi Turbo Boost, Fuel Pressure), stock powerplant.

Other Mopars:
1978 Ram 4x4 - 440, <font color=#00F5FF>Convertible</font>, <font color=#EEEE00>Club Cab</font>, <font color=#8B4500>Step Side Bed w/wood floor</font>

1968 Plymouth GTX - 440 <font color=#FF4500>Six Pack</font> w/air grabber, 4 Speed, 3. 91 8¾ rear, Black Buckets, Console, <font color=#0000EE>B5 Blue</font> Project Car - 70% complete

 

[illflem]

Craig,I see you got your sig colors to work,good job. I try to drain my filter at every fill up in the below freezing time of year,do it after the engine is warmed up and any ice has melted. During the warmer time of year I shoot for draining the first of each month. My 12 valves have water in fuel idiot lights,but I've never had them go on and frankly don't trust them. The most important time to drain the filter is when it finally warms up after prolonged periods of below freezing temps. Ice that has formed from condensation in the tank can melt and cut loose all at once. This is especially true if you don't drive long enough distances to heat the fuel in the tank. No matter how clean of fuel you get you will get water in it,ice forming in the injection pump can cause very serious damage,it's better to drain the filter often.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[Big Bry]

You guys do way too much thinking about problems that could arise. Yes you have an idiot light on the dash that will tell you when you have too much water in the fuel. You say that you don't trust the light then why trust the gauges (oil pres. , water temp. , Volt and so on)? If you don't believe your idiot light then don't believe any of them other gauges. About draining the fuel seperator. In CA it is illegal! You can't just run fuel out on the ground. Also, unless you have a bad tank of diesel, draining the fuel seperator is unnecessary. When you change the filter, drain the contents. Clean the housing and put in a new filter. I drive truck for a living and with all the crappy fuel we get as a major trucking company we never have a major water in fuel problem. Follow your owners manual on specific intervals for changing everything and you will be alright. Too much is overkill! Enjoy the truck and quit worrying about the small stuff.

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Bryan De Boer
I L-O-V-E MY D-O-D-G-E
White 2000 Ram 2500 Quad s/b With a Banks Power Pack

 

[lschultz]

Well said Bigfoot. I could have not said it any better.

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2000 Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab SWB 5-SP

 

[illflem]

bigfoot and Ischultz,you can say that because you live in places that don't get cold. I'm sure you'd sing a different tune if you lived a few hundred miles further north. If you're getting such great fuel why even bother changing the fuel filter?
Craig, check out this site for much info on additives.

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 01-24-2001). ]

 

[quadzilla]

As far as trusting gauges, Bigfoot, that is slightly different than an idiot light. A gauge is generally something that has constant activity being displayed. It can alert you of a pending problem prior to it actually occurring. An idiot light is just that. It alerts the idiots that a problem has occurred. That is one of the reasons my extra gauges are mechanical rather than electrical so that I can have a little better level of confidence as they are analyzing a condition rather than an electrial signal. To each his own though. Granted there are people that are overcautious, such as the engineering background that I have. But at the other end of the spectrum are those who think there are no problems in life that are not laid out for them with blinking lights and neon signs. I would rather prevent a problem than try to fix one that has occurred. My 2¢.

illflem, thanks for the link on additives and for the sensible comment on fuel filter changes for those that have perfect fuel running in their rigs. #ad


As an added bonus, here is my thought...
Nobody intentionally makes a wrong decision. A choice can be looked upon later and decided that it may not have been best, but at the time that it was made, pros and cons were measured and the decision made. Most of us are not self-destructive. Even what appears to others as a wrong choice may feel right to the one making it. Stealing is wrong, correct. But for the person that steals, he may feel that working hard to earn something and suffering through it may be not worth the effort and that it is a better decision to risk getting caught and taking from someone else are not as good an option. To those that think that people are too picky, there is someone who is more so. To those that feel someone is scatterbrained and does not put enough though into something, there is someone else that is more so. Differences in opinion are what make us unique as a species and what makes life interesting.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I feel that I can learn something from absolutely everyone I meet in life. Even, from the total loser, I can learn what not to do. I never get to a point where I think I know everything there is to know about any given topic.

(I am stepping away from the podium now... . )

 

[JJW_ND]

Its to cold up here to fool with the fuel water drain valve. I though that is why we change the filter. LOL!

I guess I am lazy and have been lucky. I try to buy good fuel. Have ran over 13,000 gallons through my 96 so far.

Maybe all the water in our fuel up here is frozen all winter!

jjw
ND

 

[illflem]

Part of the reason I'm cautious about draining the filter is that I run tractors where you can actually see the filter and how much water it contains. Believe me there is water in all diesel fuel.

 

[quadzilla]

Does the stanadyne conditioner that I use help with drying water from the fuel. I guess this weekend I will attempt to warm it up and get it indoors where I can drain the separator. Sometimes, I guess we rely too much on lights to tell us things that we should take the initiative and just take care of.

 

[Big-D]

quadzilla,

Nicely worded! My Dad once told me a one liner regarding mistakes and perhaps it fits here...
"The man who makes no mistakes, does not usually make anything else".
Dave

 

[Big Bry]

Man you guys can sure take something and sting it all out of text. I was mearly making a comment about changing of the filter and draining off water. I run from Southern CA to Reno NV and go over an 8000+ foot pass. It gets cold up there and we never have a problem with water freezing in the fuel. Now, the fuel turning to jelly is another story. That is why when you are in a cold climate you ad aditives to the fuel. Not only does this keep the fuel from jelling but keeps the mositure out. I feel like I am beating a dead horse. You guys can go ahead and make all the comments you want directed my way but I am not the one throwing my money away. I was just trying to inform the ones of you that want to listen, about my experiences. Those who think I am narrow minded should look in the mirror. Oh by the way, when it comes to water in a fuel seperator on a tractor that is a whole different story. Look where your storage tank is and how often it gets refilled. Sitting around out in the open, yes it attracks moisture but buying your fuel at a station that is not likely to happen. Don't take this as an attempt by me to out smart you but I am just trying to save some people who want to save there money, from throwing it away.

Have a nice day. #ad


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Bryan De Boer
I L-O-V-E MY D-O-D-G-E
White 2000 Ram 2500 Quad s/b With a Banks Power Pack

 

[quadzilla]

Maybe I misinterpreted what the topic here was before we got off on a witch hunt. Bigfoot077, I didn't mean any offense by my words. I just get tired in general of people hammering on each other for a difference in opinion.

As far as saving people money. I think everyone is interested in saving money. If you can prevent serious damage to an engine that costs, what, 10 grand to replace, why not do it. That is saving money. I guess I don't understand how flipping the little valve that drains the separator costs anything but a couple minutes of time. If someone wants to drain it every 100 miles, that doesn't cost anything money wise, and may give that person a level of confidence that he is doing something preventative rather than reactionary to a problem.