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DFCM draining...

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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
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DFCM draining...

Just checking in with the more experienced 6.7 owners here...

I set up a calendar reminder to drain the DFCM and saw a little bit of water in the bottom of the jar during this most recent service. Wondering if I should do this more often? I currently do this once a month. Since it's so simple it wouldn't be a big deal to do it more often, but not looking for busy work if it's not a big benefit.

Wondering how often folks do this service?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:42 PM
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I do mine once a month.Havent gotten or atleast havent seen any water in 18 months..How recent was this last drain? Myself I would do it again sooner then later after finding water.. But im a little neurotic like that.lol
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:45 PM
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I would probably check it sooner as well till there is no sign of water again, just me though

I do mine monthly, never noticed any water, maybe a few small drops once.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 2ndStroke
I would probably check it sooner as well till there is no sign of water again, just me though

I do mine monthly, never noticed any water, maybe a few small drops once.
X2
in my opinion except I haven't found any water yet.
Tim.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:55 PM
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For the guys that say they "have seen a little bit of water", what exactly does that look like???

When I drain mine I usually will have what I assume is small bubbles in the bottom of the jar( after I let the jar settle for a few hours)or possibly water...but I'm not sure.

Is there a way to determine if it is actually h2o???

Anybody have any pics??
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:57 PM
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I leave mine sit till the next day, "think" I saw a few small drops once, little bubbles...
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 10:04 PM
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I'm assuming it was water as it looked distinct from the diesel as small bubbles on the bottom on the jar. It wasn't very much, just a few drops. I didn't let the jar sit, though, so maybe I should do that next time.

I'll try again in a few days to be sure ... I'm obsessive about maintenance so this will bug me. Of course I think my OCD in this case is justified considering the amount of money I have in this thing thanks for the informative replies -- can't imagine owning this thing without a resource like FTE available!
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by FORD-DNA
For the guys that say they "have seen a little bit of water", what exactly does that look like???

When I drain mine I usually will have what I assume is small bubbles in the bottom of the jar( after I let the jar settle for a few hours)or possibly water...but I'm not sure.

Is there a way to determine if it is actually h2o???

Anybody have any pics??
DNA, The water will not mix with the fuel, if you just gently move the glass container the water will move around on the bottom of the container.
May help to put some light under container. But it should be easy to tell the difference.
Tim.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 10:13 PM
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Thanks guys!
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 10:47 PM
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How much fuel are you guys draining off when you perform this procedure ? Doing it with truck shut off or running ??
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by RussB
How much fuel are you guys draining off when you perform this procedure ? Doing it with truck shut off or running ??
Russ, I only drain a couple ounces at most. if you take DFCM bowl off and look inside where drain port is you will see it is at lowest point, and the water will settle to the bottom if key has been off for a short time.
Tim.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 11:40 PM
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I drain mine just about every tank. The only exception to this is weather conditions and travel circumstances. On a long trip I have gone 3 tanks without draining, but the vast majority of the time it gets drained each and every tank. The amount I drain off I'd say is a bit less than a cup, maybe 3/4 cup or so.

Just for the record, I have never seen any moisture of note in my samples. I would be curious to get some tested to see whats really there, but as far as I know the fuel tests are highly specialized and expensive - unlike the oil tests that vendors such as Blackstone Laboratories provide.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2014 | 05:37 AM
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The best method is after you drain say 8/10 o/z is put lid on jar and spin it like it makes a little tornado. Then let sit 2 hours. If you got water its very easy to see.. and for the ones who dont no exactly what it looks like get just drop a few drops of water in your sample jar. You will no what to look for next time.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2014 | 06:47 AM
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I would follow your gut. I have sometimes drained daily or twice a day if on the road. As your pumping sometimes you can look at the fuel and get the idea it may not be as good as you like it.

If you get water then drain again in a few.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2014 | 08:28 AM
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For the guys that check for water more frequently than monthly...I'm assuming the reason is obvious (easy check to avoid a disaster) however isn't the WIF sensor located in the DFCM? If the sensor is working properly wouldn't it "sense" any small amount of water? Or does it take more to trip it? Of course if the sensor fails you'd find out the hard way. A redundant sensor would make sense.

I guess I'm wondering if the sensor is designed to tell you to drain the DFCM or is it to tell you "your in trouble". I never want to see my WIF light come on because then the PCM will always remember it. Imagine 30K miles later you have a HP pump fail and the dealer plugs in the diagnostics and says "ah ha!" you had a WIF sensor come on two years ago which means you in fact had water in the fuel which means you're warranty is denied
 
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