Fuel/water separator. I am replacing this filter about every 2 months. Is that unusual? I am using MicroGuard filters (because of cost) and was wondering if I should change brands. Curiously I performed an autopsy on the last filter and could see no obvious contamination. Opening the water drain valve seems to release only fuel. This truck sat for 2 years, when I first got it running I was able to see water when I opened the drain valve, however that stopped after a while. I did use some Seafoam early on to dissipate the water problem.

 

i use the napa one piece filter. got rid of that silly water separator a long time ago.
i usually change the filter every third oil change.

 

yes that's unusual.
the fuel filter change interval is every 60k miles or 4 years,whichever occurs first.
(they're massive,at the size of a common oil filter.)

drain your water trap every 5k miles (sooner if you get the water in fuel light.)

i use racor filters.
(great micron ratings.)

 

OK, if that is the case I have another problem. Although I would not call this filter massive, yes it is larger than a regular oil filter ieFL-1) Motorcraft, but not much bigger.

 

I have not driven a diesel before and some of the mechanical diagnoses are new to me. Would you elaborate on how you got rid of the oil/water separator?

 

Are you always buying fuel at the same place (or most of the time, anyway)? If so, try changing fuel stations.

 

I use two different fuel providers, but one of them 80% of the time. It is curious to me that I am having to change this filter every 2-3 months though. I am changing the filter this time with a Motorcraft brand to see if it helps. It is again curious when I cut a previously used filter in half that I saw no visible contamination. I am going to drop the tanks and look for debris as this truck sat for 2 years before I repurchased it from a family friend. After I got it running I did notice water present when I opened the valve under the filter but have not seen water in the last 8-10 months. Thank you for your reply.

 

What's telling you that you need to change your filter?

 

Truck turns over more than usual, usual is within a 2 sec. duration (even during cold weather) and runs rough, but not as rough as it is running now and sometimes the truck will not restart after it is shut off, if I wait 10-15 mins. it will restart. The Microguard filters may be the problem, I was using Wix brand and getting more usage (4-5 months). I have just purchased a Motorcraft filter but have not installed it yet.

 

A plugged fuel filter should turn on the "plugged fuel filter" light and should be more of an issue at higher rpm/loads.

On your next cold start before starting the truck, pull the filter off and see if it's full, to me it seems like an air intrusion problem more then a filter problem.

 

Never have seen the light you mention, early on I would see the (water in fuel) light, whenever I change the filters they are always full. Thanks for your time and input. I am wanting to learn more about this truck so all of the info I receive is very helpful.

 

THIS JUST IN!OK, changed the fuel filter with a Motorcraft instead of the Microguard, truck started and ran smoother than it ever has . . . . . then it died. I think once it consumed the fuel in the new filter it starved out and now will not restart. I t is getting no fuel . . . . so it must have a bad fuel pump, am going to replace it with an electric one and be rid of the mechanical one.

 

yeah,you can stop replacing the fuel filters.those are not the issue.
to test the lift pump,you need to try and run the engine from a jug of diesel.if it runs smooth,than you'll know it's fine and that she's sucking air from the line someplace going to the pump.

if you place a electric fuel pump before the air leak,if you have one.then you'll just have the same problem because electric or mechanical,it's still got to suck from the tank without air holes.

 

THIS JUST IN!OK, changed the fuel filter with a Motorcraft instead of the Microguard, truck started and ran smoother than it ever has . . . . . then it died. I think once it consumed the fuel in the new filter it starved out and now will not restart. I t is getting no fuel . . . . so it must have a bad fuel pump, am going to replace it with an electric one and be rid of the mechanical one.