Fuel Water Seperator Draining

[rroudy 98]

I just bought my first truck, as well as my first diesel. The owners manual says to drain the seperator at each fuel fillup. I have since put 4 tanks of diesel in my truck and not a drop of water has come out... . what gives, how often do you really need to drain.

 

[Pit Bull]

I drain some out every couple of tanks. Never have had any water in my filter separator.

 

[CRSmith]

I drain mine during fuel filter changes. Never had a problem. You have a water-in-fuel sensor to tell you if you need to drain. The greater danger comes if you do drain at every tank, then you risk leaving the valve open and draining fuel everywhere. That little plastic spring-loaded valve doesn't close correctly unless you 'snap' the handle up. The handle will look closed correctly, but the valve will still be stuck open.



edit: i don't know what the '03's are like, so your setup may be different than mine.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

I do it every month when I add the fuel addative, never had any water yet - Knock on wood

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by reduaram



The greater danger comes if you do drain at every tank, then you risk leaving the valve open and draining fuel everywhere. That little plastic spring-loaded valve doesn't close correctly unless you 'snap' the handle up. The handle will look closed correctly, but the valve will still be stuck open.

Never had that happen. I can alway tell if it shuts because the fuel quits coming out. I've never had a problem, but I think I will start doing it less often, maybe every 4 fill-up's. Since I have never had any water come out and there is a water in fuel indicator.

 

[CRSmith]

I can alway tell if it shuts because the fuel quits coming

If you drain it while the truck is off, you maybe have . 00001 psi on that valve, as opposed to 12ish psi after you start the truck. So, the valve could appear closed because it doesn't leak while you're standing there looking at it. Then you close the hood, start the truck, and dribble fuel down the highway.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by reduaram

If you drain it while the truck is off, you maybe have . 00001 psi on that valve, as opposed to 12ish psi after you start the truck. So, the valve could appear closed because it doesn't leak while you're standing there looking at it. Then you close the hood, start the truck, and dribble fuel down the highway.

Learn something new every day. I had never had this happen on my 00 or 02. Guess this is something that I will do less often, thanks for the heads up.

 

[elamb]

Do you drain it running or off?



Eric

 

[WadePatton]

I've had the valve fail to close. The beer-tap type valve on my 00. If not for a fuel pressure gauge I would have dumped #2 all up and down the road. Truck ran fine with it open. Killed a lot of grass though.



Eric's question: Do it after the truck has been off for a few hours. That way nothing is stirred up into the solution (fuel). I like to do mine after it sits overnight. Also a good time to check the oil--no wiping necessary, just pull and look.



Back to the valve-mine takes a little jiggle/wiggle and open/close cycles to get it really flowing.

 

[LSeverson]

Originally posted by reduaram

That little plastic spring-loaded valve doesn't close correctly unless you 'snap' the handle up. The handle will look closed correctly, but the valve will still be stuck open.

My 02 must have a different drain. My handle turns side to side and is not spring loaded. Could be that many people had problems with this design.