How often do you check for water in the fuel?

[Big Rig]

I just took delivery of my 2004. 5 "600" this week. Reading on page 265 of the owner's manual, it says, "Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To prevent fuel system trouble, drain the accumulated water from the fuel/water separator using the fuel/water separator drain provided. "

My question is: How often do you drain the fuel/water separator & does the time of the year & how often you fill your tank make a difference? They don't give any time guidelines in the owner's manual on how often to do this.



This diesel novice needs a little advice.



Big Rig

 

[MUDDY]

i drain mine once a week or every fill up. let it sit over nite so water will settle to botom then drain some diesel/water out onto the ground



i seldom run my tnk below half and in winter i try to keep it all the way full to reduce condensation

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by muddymess

i drain mine once a week or every fill up. let it sit over nite so water will settle to botom then drain some diesel/water out onto the ground



i seldom run my tnk below half and in winter i try to keep it all the way full to reduce condensation

Muddymess probably is giving the best advice, but I have not had a problem with water yet. I think out of curiosity I drained it one time just trying out the lever to make sure it would drain ok. I used a 2 liter drink bottle to catch the fuel/ water (which no water detected) I know out at work our company parts man gave us some paste (looks like a tooth paste tube) to check out a piece of equipment that was suspected of having water in the tank. You just put a little paste on a clean stick (what we used) and if water is present in the tank the paste would turn red. If no water it would remain white. The culprit turned out to be another fuel filter the shop mechanics did'nt know about (Boy they sure study those equipment manuals throughly). Maybe because it was manufactured in Germany and did'nt understand. :-laf

 

[J Shocik]

I wait til see the "water in fuel" light come on. Then I drain the filter. I also have a Prime-Lok fuel filter relocation kit installed, making this VERY easy. I notice the light only comes on in the winter during a snowstorm when I'm plowing- no other time.

 

[JLEONARD]

I only check mine once every couple of months... . I used to do it more often, but I have never seen and water come out.

I would suggest checking often at first, then back off to some lesser schedule. Find out what works for you.

Jay

 

[dpuckett]

With the local fuel here, I have to change the filter ever other oil change- it just clogs up. I havent been real religious about draiing the filter, mainly due to laziness (when in Rome... ), but also because it is such a pain to reprime the filter in my 1st gen. When I got my first CTD many moons ago, I used to drain it once a month or so. I have had the light come on a time or two through the years.



Daniel

 

[Hummin Cummins]

In 40000 miles since I bought the truck, I have only drained it once, just to make sure it worked. Light never comes on, maybe it doesnt work. I change my filter every 15-20000 or about once a year, no problems yet, knock on wood. But I put Howe's in every tank.