Fuel water separator draining
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 136
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Fuel water separator draining
I am new to diesels as far as ownership. How often should I be draining my water separator. I have no indicator lights. Saw ricks trouble with possible warranty denial due to water in fuel so wanted to check and see. Only have 1100 miles and 3 fillups.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
It is always a good practice to get into a preventive maintenance routine with these trucks. I go back to my old Army days where there was a specific routine for each piece of equipment before it was operated. I do the same with this truck and my farm equipment. Everyone is different and has their own way of doing things. At minimum, I recommend you follow the manual for the different maintenance tasks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
There is a sensor, but you're still supposed to drain it monthly. If there is water sitting in the DFCM there is a higher likelihood that too much water will make it past the filter and into the high pressure fuel system. This can cause rust, pump failure, injector failure, and other very expensive problems. The 6.7L engine with it's Bosch system seems to be more resilient, but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way!
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 726
Likes: 80
Glad I ran across this thread. Had the truck for 7 months and have never drained it didn't know it needed to be done so often and still wouldn't if I hadn't read this. Hopefully no damage has been done. Is it easy to do?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
You should be fine. I drain mine monthly and have yet to see any water in it. I think it all depends on your fuel sources. The step-by-step instructions are in your manual, that is the best place to look before you do it the first time. Very simple to do.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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I was convinced early on to consider the WIF light to indicate an issue.
Ie; stop now and figure out why if it does turn on.
I've never had any water in my fuel but I wouldn't know that if I didn't drain it.
Ie; stop now and figure out why if it does turn on.
I've never had any water in my fuel but I wouldn't know that if I didn't drain it.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 277
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I drained my separator for the first time. I drained it for about 25 seconds as recommendeds by the supplement. I really did not see any water (I don't think). The fluid must have been diesel fuel. How do you tell the difference between water and diesel fuel??? If I continued to drain the separator, will the fluid finally stop, or will it continue to drain diesel?
The diesel fuel is very pungent. Before my wife let me into the 5th wheel I had to change my closes and wash up.
ken
The diesel fuel is very pungent. Before my wife let me into the 5th wheel I had to change my closes and wash up.
ken
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
My truck gets drained every other tankful.
Regards
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: SW Ohio
I drained my separator for the first time. I drained it for about 25 seconds as recommendeds by the supplement. I really did not see any water (I don't think). The fluid must have been diesel fuel. How do you tell the difference between water and diesel fuel??? If I continued to drain the separator, will the fluid finally stop, or will it continue to drain diesel?
The diesel fuel is very pungent. Before my wife let me into the 5th wheel I had to change my closes and wash up.
ken
The diesel fuel is very pungent. Before my wife let me into the 5th wheel I had to change my closes and wash up.
ken
