Here's some bad news for your brother, if he puts bad diesel in the chebby he will have the same problem. Getting water in diesel is not new, whats new is the complexity of the modern (built after 2007) EPA compliant engines. They make the repairs cost more, a lot more. Your brother should have pushed back to the fuel source cause usually if one got bad fuel a lot did and they have insurance. He could also have filed with his insurance company and let them sue the fuel source. Or, he could have blamed Ford and bought a new truck. I don't worry much about money either but I didn't get that way giving it away. Every time I fuel I pump a couple gallons into the truck then I pump a pint or so into a small clear jar I carry in the tool box. It's not fool proof but it darn near is, it adds maybe 2 minutes to the refuel and I avoid being stranded in Westbigod nevada.

 

Please forgive my ignorance. Are you saying pumping the water into a pint jar that the water and diesel separates? That it is that visible?

I apologize to the whole forum I am doing my best to make a wise decision because I am a retired State Police without full retirement do to disability and a part time Baptist Preacher so I worry about money.

 

No problem, this is where we all come to learn and share what we learn. Yes, it does not take a big sample to see the water in the diesel. Most regulars on here also drain the fuel filter under the drivers door monthly, for the same reason. once the water gets passed the filters (one on the frame under the driver door and one on the engine next to the oil filter, it goes into the fuel rails and causes a lot of problems. I think there was one guy on here spent north of $8000 on it. Ford won't cover it because they did not put the water in there. It's not a ford failure. Some would argue the truck should have better filters and alarms. We should be able to expect good fuel for 4 bucks a gallon but every now and then a fuel tank leaks and ground or rain water gets in, and whammo. I'm also retired and choose to take an extra moment to try and prevent a water in fuel problem.

As to the rest of your post, the ford diesel, any diesel is expensive to operate. Fuel mileag is bad, maintainence is expensive. But if you have something heavy to tow or haul the diesel will do it. And it will do it for a lot of miles. If cost is an over riding concern I might suggest you look at some of the diesels built before Model year 08, thats when the EPA stuff kicked in and significantly increased the cost of owning and driving a diesel truck. if you can find one with low miles (less than 100,000) and in good condition you could save on the purchase and the cost of repairs. Good luck.