Water Separator Removal?
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New User
Joined: May 2011
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Water Separator Removal?
Hi All,
I just picked up my "new to me" 08 F250 6.4L with 18,000 Miles. (NO FORD WARRANTY - long story). As I was taking it home, the message came up "Drain Water Separator". No problem, I pulled over, found the lever under the frame of the truck and started draining. In the manual, it listed that potentially 100ML would come out. A lot more fuel water mixture came out, probably 500ML.
About 10 minutes later, it came on again. I opened the valve and it probably would have drained another 500ML but I closed it because it feels like that is just too much. It seemed like that was just straight fuel coming out.
15-20 minutes later it happened again.
A bit of background. This truck has sat for nearly 1.5 months with only 1/8 tank of fuel in it. I filled it up before I took it home, at a high volume Petro Canada station. Could there be a lot of build up condensation?
I read some of the threads available online about this topic. I was thinking of opening the separator and seeing if it was gelled up or the sensor was dirty.
I'm afraid that if I open it, the fuel will continue to pour out - is there a shutoff between the separator and the fuel tank?
Please advise. I know that you are not supposed to drive the truck with separator overflow but I'm not sure what to do. I suspect that this has to do with the sensor?
D
I just picked up my "new to me" 08 F250 6.4L with 18,000 Miles. (NO FORD WARRANTY - long story). As I was taking it home, the message came up "Drain Water Separator". No problem, I pulled over, found the lever under the frame of the truck and started draining. In the manual, it listed that potentially 100ML would come out. A lot more fuel water mixture came out, probably 500ML.
About 10 minutes later, it came on again. I opened the valve and it probably would have drained another 500ML but I closed it because it feels like that is just too much. It seemed like that was just straight fuel coming out.
15-20 minutes later it happened again.
A bit of background. This truck has sat for nearly 1.5 months with only 1/8 tank of fuel in it. I filled it up before I took it home, at a high volume Petro Canada station. Could there be a lot of build up condensation?
I read some of the threads available online about this topic. I was thinking of opening the separator and seeing if it was gelled up or the sensor was dirty.
I'm afraid that if I open it, the fuel will continue to pour out - is there a shutoff between the separator and the fuel tank?
Please advise. I know that you are not supposed to drive the truck with separator overflow but I'm not sure what to do. I suspect that this has to do with the sensor?
D
Last edited by scotiadallas; May 29, 2011 at 03:40 PM. Reason: Missing facts.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
I have never heard of that much water from condensation. Just look how long they sit on a dealers lot for sometime. Either someone put water in it when it was parked or the station you filled up at has a contaminated tank. The only other think is if you have a bad sensor, but it sounds like it is working correct as it goes out when you drain the filter. Try draining the filter into a clear container so you can confirm or not you have a water problem. If it is water I would not drive it until the tank is drained and the filters changed. The high pressure fuel pumps in these trucks are very sensitive to water and very expensive to change. It is a cab off procedure.
As for the filter if you have a 4wd it is very awkward changing the filter and must be done with great care to keep it clean. As for a shut off, no there is not one. I usually wait until my tank is down to about 1/4 before servicing. It can be done sooner, the fuel will stop draining after about a liter. It will look like more. Unless you are experienced it might be a better idea to take it in to a Ford dealer if you wish to avoid any warranty problems if you do something wrong.
As for the filter if you have a 4wd it is very awkward changing the filter and must be done with great care to keep it clean. As for a shut off, no there is not one. I usually wait until my tank is down to about 1/4 before servicing. It can be done sooner, the fuel will stop draining after about a liter. It will look like more. Unless you are experienced it might be a better idea to take it in to a Ford dealer if you wish to avoid any warranty problems if you do something wrong.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2011
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Ok, it's probably not condensation then, I'm just throwing up ideas.
So when I open the lever, could this be just fuel coming out? The manual says drain it until it turns to fuel. With a full tank, will fuel continue to drain or if I'm more patient, then it should stop? I just went outside and opened the drain and there was at least 500 - 600 ML before I stopped. You're correct, it seemed like a lot to me so I didn't keep going.
What should I be looking for in the fluid? How will the water look in the clear catch basin?
What if this is just fuel?
Thanks for your response!
D
So when I open the lever, could this be just fuel coming out? The manual says drain it until it turns to fuel. With a full tank, will fuel continue to drain or if I'm more patient, then it should stop? I just went outside and opened the drain and there was at least 500 - 600 ML before I stopped. You're correct, it seemed like a lot to me so I didn't keep going.
What should I be looking for in the fluid? How will the water look in the clear catch basin?
What if this is just fuel?
Thanks for your response!
D
I have never heard of that much water from condensation. Just look how long they sit on a dealers lot for sometime. Either someone put water in it when it was parked or the station you filled up at has a contaminated tank. The only other think is if you have a bad sensor, but it sounds like it is working correct as it goes out when you drain the filter. Try draining the filter into a clear container so you can confirm or not you have a water problem. If it is water I would not drive it until the tank is drained and the filters changed. The high pressure fuel pumps in these trucks are very sensitive to water and very expensive to change. It is a cab off procedure.
As for the filter if you have a 4wd it is very awkward changing the filter and must be done with great care to keep it clean. As for a shut off, no there is not one. I usually wait until my tank is down to about 1/4 before servicing. It can be done sooner, the fuel will stop draining after about a liter. It will look like more. Unless you are experienced it might be a better idea to take it in to a Ford dealer if you wish to avoid any warranty problems if you do something wrong.
As for the filter if you have a 4wd it is very awkward changing the filter and must be done with great care to keep it clean. As for a shut off, no there is not one. I usually wait until my tank is down to about 1/4 before servicing. It can be done sooner, the fuel will stop draining after about a liter. It will look like more. Unless you are experienced it might be a better idea to take it in to a Ford dealer if you wish to avoid any warranty problems if you do something wrong.
