I removed the drain plug from my 2007 F250 6.0 fuelfilter today because the water in fuel light keeps coming on. Right after I drained it the truck ran good. Now it will not start. I checked and the drain plus is leaking. I must have messed the o ring up. Will this keep the truck from starting? Also tomorrow I am going to change both fuel filters and fix the o ring on the plug. Some people tell me I have to fill the filter on the motor with fuel before starting. Is this true?

 

just cycle the key about 3 times and she should prime it's self

 

Moved to 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel forum.

 

And use the right size socket for the upper fuel cap. Don't use the stupid little square hole for a wrench to fit in. Many have broken their caps doing it that way. Lube the threads and "o" rings real good when putting them back on. If you don't, you can create a leak in the "o" ring.

Don't get wet!

 

I have cycled the key a bunch. Can that leak on the water drain plug be causing it not to start?

 

Have you checked the upper fuel filter to see that it is filling when you turn the key?

Also, you might want to replace the drain plug, since you are there, with a better plug for future use.

Diesel Technician Society

 

Check for fuel pressure while you do the upper fuel filter.

If you have an issue after changing filters..

Chances are:

a) you have a lot of crud in tank

b) need a new HFCM

 

Sounds like something may of not sealed 100% upon reassembly. Fix any leaks/drips first then go from there. Hth

 

If it leaks then it can suck air. Replace the O ring/drain plug and install new Racor/Motorcraft filters only. Lube the threads and O rings with oil or vaseline, not diesel. Diesel can cause the O ring to swell and bind.

 

1) Only use Racor made OEM fuel filters (buy Motorcraft, Racor or from your local International Truck dealer.

2) Follow the instructions... which are to install new o-ring and lube with fresh oil (more is better).

3) Snap new filter into cap before you screw it in (large filter). Do not install filter then try and screw cap in/down as it will not seat properly... snap filter into cap lid and tighten. Be careful to hand start the cap to ensure that the o-ring seats and that you put the o-ring on the outer most ring/section of the cap threads.

4) Install drain plug if not already... check o-ring and do not over-tighten as the plug can strip out the cover housing threads.

5) Install new small filter on top of motor (place filter in housing, lube new o-ring, hand start and tighten).

6) Turn key to on 2 or so times and let glow plugs cycle.. this will reprime the fuel system.

7) Start motor and let idle and check for leaks.

Air getting into the system is due to not snapping the filter into the HFCM (large filter cap first), not seating the o-ring properly or damaging it when installing it... or cracking the little filter cap with a hairline crack due to using the 1/4" drive and not a socket and over-tightening it.

Racor designed the filter housings... and only their filters will fit 100%... so "will-fit" filters will not seat or filter as required and have been the cause of problems for some.... you may fall into this category unless you can verify for us what you bought (brand and model number of filter) and your exact procedure that you used/did.

Good luck.

 

I changed both filters and put new o ring on drain plug. Cycled key a bunch of times and upper fuel filter housing would not fill. I put fuel into the upper housing and truck still would not start. after setting appointment with dealer and getting tow truck on the way i descided to try it one more time. Truck fired and cut right off. 5 kept turning the key and it would hit but not run. Finally it hit enough where it fired and ran. Now it runs fine WTF? Could it been air locked?

 

Quite possible yes.

When cycling the key... you turn to "on" as though you letting your glow plugs warm up... do 2 - 3 times. This is normally all it takes.

Question is... did you lube (with fresh oil and diesel fuel) the o-rings on both of the fuel filter caps and snap the large filter into the cap before you installed it?

If you did NOT snap the fuel filter into the cap FIRST... the filter may not be properly seated and the filter and/or cap may not be allowing the fuel to flow properly????

Confirm for us that you snapped the filter into the cap FIRST before screwing the large cap into the HFCM/filter pump-filter housing.

Maybe let it go for a day... drive and sit overnight and see... might have just been air in system... and now all is fine.

 

Your leaking air from the primary filter, save yourself a tow job and redo the primary filter install.

 

That is what I am thinking and that the o-ring is not seated on the last or proper row of threads or main o-ring seating section... or he damaged the o-ring slightly... or it was not lubed well enough and was damaged during the install.

 

Other than loss in mileage..what's symptoms of dirty filters??