Water in Fuel Dummy Light: won't go away!

[DaveK98]

Please read my updated posts at the end of the thread, I need some good advice to my "updated" situation. Thanks for all the help so far!



At about 4k miles my water in fuel light came on. I have had to buy some fuel at some smaller mom and pop stores with all the problems in the south. I was almost at empty. Pulled into a Major Truck Stop and filled up. About 200 miles later the water in fuel light came on. I stopped and drained maybe 6 oz? Light was still on but went off after bout 30 miles. Stopped after a total of 50 miles and then the light came back on. I stopped and drained maybe 6 more oz. This time light went off after maybe 10 miles. Then got home, dropped off the 5th wheel shut off engine while doing this and when I started it back up the light was back on.



What should I do? Should I open the drain till nothing comes out? Should I change my fuel filter? Is this normal after only 4k miles?



Sorry if this is a basic question, it is my first diesel. Man it did great pulling my 10k 5th wheel all over the South.



Thanks!

 

[JVolpe]

Well I am not an expert. I would get a new fuel filter, drain the canister completely, remove the old filter, carefully clean the inside of the filter canister(the sensor is in the canister) and install the new filter.



Good Luck.

 

[JFaughn]

it sounds like you got water with that shake , when I would have gasers come in with some water in the fuel [ as long as it wasn't too much maybe 10-15% I'ld just put in a couple bottles of an aditive called heat , here its consided a fuel antifreeze for gasline, but for your perposses its alcahol , and that will let the water mix with the fuel and burn. Or get the station to pay for the work of draining and cleaning the fuel system , don't forget the filter, and thats a comin practice.

 

[DaveK98]

Crap, I hope I don't have a bunch of water in my diesel...



When you guys pull on that lever how much normally comes out? Will it drain fuel out as well?



Keep the info coming! I don't really want to have to have the tank cleaned?

 

[JVolpe]

When I used the stock filter system it would drain only diesel in my case, enough to fill up the canister. Like stated above try some additive and do the drain, clean and new filter thing.

 

[DaveK98]

Follow this... I filled up at "Major Truck Stop", although it was at the pumps where cars go, yes it was diesel. Drove 200 miles before the light came on. I'm thinking that the water would have settled out long before that and gone to the bottom of the tank and been picked up much sooner than 3+ hours. Also, after I drained it the sensor didn't go out right away but took a little while to go out and comes back on after sitting(even if it's only a minute). Engine is running fine and no loss of power.



Regardless, I'm going to drain somemore into a clear container to see if there is any water in it. I'm going to change the oil this weekend and will do the fuel filter as well.



Thanks for any additional input. I don't want to frag my new diesel.

 

[bpenrod]

Mine used to go on when it was real humid out or during a rain storm. Coated the lead with wire dry and replaced the sensor and it is much better now.

 

[DaveK98]

Well, Drained the fuel drain into a clear container and there is about a 1/4 inch of water in a 6 inch round container with about 4 inches of fuel in it. Did this again 2 more times (priming the pump with the key on but not starting the truck) and with about the same amout of fuel as above I'm only getting tiny tiny droplets. Probaby not enough to worry about.



What should I do?

1. Replace filter and clean filter housing and say my prayers?

2. Drop and empty tank?



Also the last 2 fillups were at a major truck stop on Monday. Should I call them and try and get them to pay for it? What are the chances that this is just an accumulation of water? Before the light came on at 4k miles I had never drained the fuel filter drain.



Thanks for everyones time, first time I've started a topic that is really important!

 

[rbattelle]

Oh yeah, you got a bad load of fuel. It will likely continue to pump water into the system until the tank is empty. Definitely change the filter, at least. If it were me I'd drain out the tank, but mine's easy to drain as I have any auxilliary fuel system.



Do a search on "+bad +load +fuel" and you should get some good advice...



-Ryan

 

[JVolpe]

Afraid I agree with rbattelle, I would drain the tank. That much water from the canister is not water in fuel that is water in tank. Drain, add additive to remove water from lines and help injectors clean, clean filter canister and new filter. Take the sample of fuel to the dealer and start complaining all the way up to the owner. Then try the local tv defender group, just kidding, maybe.

 

[DaveK98]

What is the chance that this is from my last load versus over the life 4k of the truck?

 

[rbattelle]

It's from the last load.



-Ryan

 

[TRUEBLUE]

You had better check the fittings on top of your tank! A friend of mine had a open"breather" and it let or sucked a BUNCH of water in. Resullt 4 weeks at the dealer & alot of :-{} and a new complete fuelsystem. His truck was a 04 600 I still have to check mine! Good luck Todd

 

[DaveK98]

Ok, latest update. I'll be taking the truck to the dealership to have it cleaned up, Truck stop is standing behind their product.



Thanks to all... ... .