DFCM draining...
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
The Diesel supp. guide DOES mention to drain monthly. Why would a person not take the time and do this. If for no other reason, It's a Preventative Measure. There have been certain instances where the WIF sensor has failed and caused a huge repair bill!!! The Fuel systems on these trucks are so sensitive it doesn't take much to screw them up. That's enough reason for me to crawl under my truck and drain on a regular basis. Just my .02 cents.
I also don't buy extended warranties or wear my seat belt. I know I know, I'm a rebel maniac.... 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
So each fillup has a tiny bit of water. Nobody ever gets all the fuel out of the tank, so you combine that over the course of how long? Maybe you should read the thread where the guy didn't drain his DFCM for the first 10k miles and his HPFP was bad. You might have an older version but it is in all newer editions of our manual. To each his own though!
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
I drained mine when doing my filter after 12.5k. Not a drop of water and I fill up everywhere. One bad occurrence makes big news. Thousands and thousands of owners not bothering with it like me not having an issue makes for a boring forum. I understand...
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 474
Likes: 45
From: Berryville, AR
I used to be OCD, but now I'm CDO because the letters should be arranged alphabetically!
I drained my DFCM yesterday. I know I have fussed about this before, but my drain **** is so hard to turn that I have to use pliers. However, I only have to turn it about 3/4 of a turn to get fuel out of it and none leaks past the ****!
Maybe I have a bigger "O" ring stuffed in there.
I drained my DFCM yesterday. I know I have fussed about this before, but my drain **** is so hard to turn that I have to use pliers. However, I only have to turn it about 3/4 of a turn to get fuel out of it and none leaks past the ****!
Maybe I have a bigger "O" ring stuffed in there.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
The thing I pointed out that no one seems to address is this. What if you get a bad load of fuel at day 15 of your 30 day draining cycle. All your monthly draining can't help this. I can see the argument of it builds up slowly but so far no one has said they even found any water so not sure that floats. As far as monthly, I've debated a similar topic on the RV forums. Some guys think they don't need TPMS because they check air pressure before each trip. They can't fathom they might pick up a nail during a trip and get a slow leak that that will cause a blowout. All their pre-trip checking can't catch something that happens while traveling. IMHO it's more likely something drastic will happen between maintenance than get caught during it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
I'm going to borrow that from time to time.
Although it really upsets people who actually are OCD vs. those of us who just use the term.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
The thing I pointed out that no one seems to address is this. What if you get a bad load of fuel at day 15 of your 30 day draining cycle. All your monthly draining can't help this. I can see the argument of it builds up slowly but so far no one has said they even found any water so not sure that floats. As far as monthly, I've debated a similar topic on the RV forums. Some guys think they don't need TPMS because they check air pressure before each trip. They can't fathom they might pick up a nail during a trip and get a slow leak that that will cause a blowout. All their pre-trip checking can't catch something that happens while traveling. IMHO it's more likely something drastic will happen between maintenance than get caught during it.
You are absolutely right in the fact that one bad tank of fuel will kill anybody's truck regardless of how many times the DFCM has been drained. Nobody is harping on you, you bring up several points of data that support what works for you and I respect that. Me personally i'm more in the business of being a little more safe then sorry and because I live in a state where it always rains and water seems to get everywhere. Your opinion and contribution to the forum is what makes for an interesting read, if everybody was the same it would be boring, so I appreciate that. Thats a nice 5er, what kind is it?
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
Likes: 1,247
From: Western MA
My wife had a t-shirt that had that exact phrase. She also had the MA vanity plate OCD for a while! We are both that way. I tell people it saves two other people from getting stuck! If my truck was my only toy, I suppose I'd still be that way with it. Too spread out now...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
Thanks to all for the discussion. That's what's great about forums. IMO It's important to challenge others and support your beliefs. This creates thought and helps us all make informed decisions.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 8,081
From: North Central Washington
The thing I pointed out that no one seems to address is this. What if you get a bad load of fuel at day 15 of your 30 day draining cycle. All your monthly draining can't help this. I can see the argument of it builds up slowly but so far no one has said they even found any water so not sure that floats. As far as monthly, I've debated a similar topic on the RV forums. Some guys think they don't need TPMS because they check air pressure before each trip. They can't fathom they might pick up a nail during a trip and get a slow leak that that will cause a blowout. All their pre-trip checking can't catch something that happens while traveling. IMHO it's more likely something drastic will happen between maintenance than get caught during it.