So before I post this, I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty easy process, so I kind of feel dumb even posting it. BUT, I need to know since I am new to having a diesel. I have read and been told that I need to drain my water separator, and I am unable to get to my owners manual at this time to see what it says. So, how do I drain the water separator and how frequently should I do it?

 

I do mine monthly. Under the driver side of the vehicle you will see the housing with a lever.

I drain for a 30 count and into a glass jar I can inspect and then pour it into a jug for oil changes disposal. If you are on incline might want to back truck in, rear high and drain. I had problems with a moderatly sloped driveway draining until it was too late

 

Thanks chi! I will do that today. I am not sure if the previous owner of the truck did any of this maintenance so I'm trying to figure out everything I need to do in regards to maintenance. I appreciate the info and if you have any other maintenance related things you do or think I need to check, (other than the standard oil changes/fuel filter changes) I am open ears.

 

If you are not sure what the previous owner has done, I would just bite the bullet and change both fuel filters and change the oil before anything. Check the radiator fluid, fuel cooler fluid, and etc. I can guarantee you that you will not be sorry and feel better that you know you did this.

 

Took me a few minutes to find it but once I did the drain took less than a minute. If I can do it anyone can...

 

now that you've found the separator, how do like that super convenient and easy-to-get-to location...*extreme sarcasm*?

 

So after you drain it - what then? I drained about 6oz of fuel out and I guess it was just fuel. Since water is insoluble in diesel fuel I would assume any water would be separated or beaded up. But how do you tell?

 

pray the warning message goes off forget about it for another month or so i often times only have a drop or two of water in several ounces of fuel...must be one damn sensative sensor.

 

Either you don't have any water in your fuel or the water has made it through the system. You'd see the droplets if there was any water.

 

I'm draining my water seperator daily now.

Getting tired of it. I drain it, message disappears, drive to work & on way back home I get the message again. I changed both fuel filters last Friday hoping that would help.

I welcome any suggestions, I hate to take it to the dealer or shop where they'll punish me by charging for 2 new fuel filters.

 

Take the pump off and take the front manifold off and clean the seperator area with carb cleaner. Pull the sensor out of the side of the pump and clean it also.

 

Holy Cow!
That is a great Idea.
I never thought of the H2O maybe staying there.
I had this problem a couple of years ago, and it kind of faded away.
I figured it was because I changed where I was getting my Diesel??
~Mike~

 

UPDATE: So I didn't get a chance to update how this went when I did it, so sorry for the delayed update. I drained the water and filled an 8 oz glass almost 3/4 full of water with just a few droplets of fuel mixed in. Everything I have read tells me that that is too much water. Could it be that the previous owner never did this? I have not gotten any warning messages inside the truck regarding this. I also showed it to my neighbor to make sure I wasn't losing my mind and I wasn't looking at fuel rather than water.

 

Have you pulled the filters? Better do that and inspect the fuel bowl for rust and metal.

 

I'd also consider draining it more until you drain more fuel than water.