I have 2004 F350 6.0 diesel, 30k miles that has a water problem that I can not cure. Water light comes on, engine loses power, can die, light goes off, will restart or continue to run. Have drained fuel from the water drain under the frame rail several times, replaced filters, tried additives that state they remove water. I also have run the tank almost empty. Has been going on for several tanks of fuel. Happens when cold, or hot, often or not.

 

Welcome to FTE. Is there actually water in your fuel? How much?

 

I don't know, how would I check?

 

I think at this point I would check the sensor and maybe clean the fuel/water separator.

 

X2 check the sensor and give it a good cleaning.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...uel-light.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-comes-on.html

 

Also don't use any of the additives that say that they
remove water. All it does is emulsify the water
and get all the way to the injectors. That is not something
you want happening. 6.0 Injectors and water don't get along.

Like others have said. Time to clean the water separator
chamber on the pump. Stop and pick up a new gasket and
a few cans of spray carburetor cleaner to get the gunk cleaned out.

BTW what brand of filter are you using? The Motorcraft or the Raycor
filters have a water barrier and most of the aftermarket stuff does not
along with a few other shortcomings.

The last thing I would do once you have the pump cleaned is do a
pressure test. Just to make sure that you getting enough pressure.

Do you have the upgraded fuel pressure regulator spring aka : Blue spring?

Sean

EDIT : One last thought. Come on over to here and read the tech folder at the top for more info on the 6.0L
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum107/

 

I just recently learned about these additives acting as emulsifiers. Are there any additives that demulsify allowing the water separator to catch the water better? Or ones that don't at least block the seperator from working?

I don't want water either

 

Not any of the water removers. That is just the way they work.

Sean

 

I have cleaned the sensor with carb cleaner. So far so good.

 

Great! Change your fuel filters a little more often and drain the separator monthly

 

This is a nice little upgrade:
HFCM OEM Water Separator Drain Upgrade Plug - Riffraff Diesel Performance

Go finger tight on it putting it in because it seals with an o-ring, but if it starts getting stubborn in the winter you can get it with channel locks. If you have a 4x4 the plug acts like a wick and no more diesel on the driveshaft, but I still use a cut down 1 liter water bottle to catch what comes out. Clear is easy to see small amounts of water and debris at the bottom.

For the fuel and oil filters:
S3624, Socket, Filter Flip, 24 and 36mm, 3/8" square drive

 

I cleaned the sensor and worked well for about a month. Problem started up again. Tried to clean and still had on again off again problem. Replaced sensor, problem worse. Unplugged sensor and problem still exists. Suggestions? Wiring problem?

 

Where do you buy your fuel?

Buy some other place, somewhere that sells a very high volume of fuel.

 

Might also need to drop the tank and clean it out real good. I agree, but fuel elsewhere.