What to do about water in diesel fuel

[agfckrowe]

Just had the fuel injection pump replaced (under warranty thank goodness) but dealer mechanic (no where else to go for repair) said the tank had alot of water in it and needed to be drained. Mechanic said there were lots of fuel additives to use to prevent this problem.

HOWEVER...

I read the fuel additives postings and found "And there's still the problem with the additives causing water in the fuel going into a suspension state and getting past the fuel filter/water separator. "

So how do I prevent water in the fuel (buy from a station with lots of big truck business) and preserve my pump? Do I change my fuel filter more often (how often)?

Is there an additive that evaporates the water?

Thanks for help,

Karen

 

[Futures1]

Water;

Hey Karen. . you should certainly drain the tank.

If you have a good sized clear container, you can let it set and the water will seperate from the fuel. However, you don't mention the profile for your vehicle. . you should have a water drain valve at your fuel filter. . might need to drain it morer often. See your owners manual. And you may want to change filling stations if you suspect the water is coming from their tanks !!

Yes, there are additives which will halp to eliminate some of the water, but I hesitate to bring that up or name any for fear of overwhelming you with replies

 

[agfckrowe]

I guess my profile is a '99 2500 automatic 24 valve. Truck used to tow horses.

I'll check the manual about water drain valve, didn't know there was such a thing.

Hubby was a tractor diesel mechanic prior to computers (in the late 60s, early 70s) and is baffled (and highly irritated) by all the "stuff". Hence the restoration of a '66 Chevy truck.

Together we will find and train the water drain valve - how often?

We've got 80K on truck since 99.



K

 

[TowPro]

Open the hood. Look at the passanger side of the engine, you will see a large can about 1/2 way back the side, mounted to the motor. This is your fuel filter. If I recall, there is a yellow lever on the front of this can. When you move it, diesel will run out all over the ground (unless you try to put a pan under where that clear hose goes. ) You don't have to let much fuel out as the water will sink to the bottom. I think they tell you to drain it every tank of fuel.



Did they replace the injection pump or the Fuel Lift pump?

If he replaced the injection pump, it was probably went bad because the "lift pump" is bad. If your husband used to work on Diesels in the 70's or so, he may have a pressure gauge that he can screw into one of those little square bolts that are on top of the fuel filter to see what your pressure is. You need to see what your pressure is while driving down the road, with your foot on the pedel. I would say 98% of the bad injection pumps is caused by a bad lift pump.



Welcome to TDR. Get your Husband to read here also, these things are as easy as that old Chevy to work on!

Originally posted by agfckrowe

I guess my profile is a '99 2500 automatic 24 valve. Truck used to tow horses.

I'll check the manual about water drain valve, didn't know there was such a thing.

Hubby was a tractor diesel mechanic prior to computers (in the late 60s, early 70s) and is baffled (and highly irritated) by all the "stuff". Hence the restoration of a '66 Chevy truck.

Together we will find and train the water drain valve - how often?

We've got 80K on truck since 99.



K

 

[Futures1]

Water in fuel;

The manual suggests draining the water "each month". . more often is ok. . especially since you

suspect water in the tank. Have you replaced the fuel filter ?? It can be problematic to do so if you do not bleed all of the air out of the system before trying to start the engine !!

If you decide to change it, search out the instructions for the proper procedure. . it could save you time and cuss words.

BTW, there should be an water indicator light to let you know that there is water in your "Fuel/Water Separator Filter" !! Not something you want to wait on before draining the thing, but do stop and correct the problem ASAP if the light should come on !!



If you search the site, everything you want to know about your vehicle will be answered someplace in here or by someone !!



Enjoy. .

 

[agfckrowe]

Thanks everyone!

I think I can handle the water draining thing.

If I recall correctly the lift pump was replaced last year (records are with the truck which isn't here. )

The truck should be picked up today, so heaven only knows what the dealer mechanic will find between yesterday eveing and today!

Reading the TDR will now be a family ritual!



k

 

[fox]

We also need to address the bacteria issue if there is a water issue. The water promotes a bacteria/algea. If the truck sits very long the bac starts to grow and then you end up with filters and even the lines getting plugged up. Been there, it was a mess, and the truck was used 2-3 times a week.

I use a biocide 3-4 times a year in each diesel truck.

 

[rweis]

The Central Florida TDR group just went to Southeast Power Systems for a monthly meeting. SPS is a major rebuilder of injector and high pressure pumps. They stressed over and over and showed water damage over time to high pressure pumps. The damage was like scale or pitting of shafts, orafices, virtually everywhere.



Of course we asked how to avoid the damage. Drain water often, and an additive that makes the water that does get by the water seperator to stay in suspension. I don't want to get into additive wars either so I am not going to say what they recommended, pm me if you want to know.



However, they stressed over and over, work to keep the water out on a regular basis. I drain mine every weekend and catch it to look at it and add an additive as well.



I changed where the filter drain comes out with a little tygon tubing from Home Depot. Got tired of trying to reach / crawl under the truck to place the catch bottle. Moved mine to the frame by the wheel well so I can reach in the wheel well and set the catch bottle down.



Bob Weis

 

[pdolan]

Bob makes an extremely important point. If you don't have a sight glass, how do you know if you have drained off any or all of the water? You really should catch the drain quantity and inspect it. Free water is very easy to see.



Emulsifiers, on the other hand, are a pretty good thing IF they can keep the water in suspension. The engine will actually run better with aqueous fuels, but if the emuslifier allows the water to come out of suspension while in the pump on a long storage period, damage can result.



Pat