I went out to the shop thismorning and crawled under my truck to drain the water separator for the first time. Opened the valve and began to drain some fuel out into a big glass pickle jar. Made the rookie mistake and waited until the jar was just about full before I started closing the valve. As I was getting a shower in good ol' #2, I fumbled with the valve to get it shut. I turned it clockwise and CRACK. I broke off one of the little plastic ears/pins that rides in the grooves of fuel filter housing bottom. Fortunately it's keeping fuel from dribbling out but I wouldn't dare start the truck up, let alone drive it with the drain valve/plug barely holding on. Once my shower was over, I looked closer at the design of the drain valve. I realized that when the drain valve is in the OPEN position, it actually drops out of the tapered grooves. The correct method of closing it requires you to push up on the drain valve and then turning it clockwise until it seats. Called up the dealer and ordered 2 drain valve/plugs part number HC3Z-9J305-A. Figured I would order a second one to have as a spare. Learn from my mistakes. Don't wait until your jar is darn near overflowing before trying to close the valve and push the valve up into its groves before attempting to close it.

 

 

Great education here - many thanks for allowing us to learn from your mistakes. Thanks for taking the time.

 

+1 ... THANKS for sharing!

 

Most helpful post of the day.
Thanks!

 

I was just draining mine this weekend and mine fell out too, much to my surprise as diesel poured all over. I've drained it several times and never had it fall out. Luckily I was able to catch it and get it back in, but that's not a fun surprise when you have just a little bottle.

 

The previous generation design (2011-2016 trucks) had a more secure valve, but it was harder to open. This one is very easy. I've had no problems with mine.

 

And you still got diesel fuel all over your hands.

I don't get why the drain can't have piping that would allow the actual drain to be remote from the valve.

 

Agree completely! I thought for sure the drain valve on the previous generation would not allow fuel to come out *at* the valve itself, but it does!

 

Water settles to the bottom. Only need to drain half a baby food jar. No need to fill a pickle jar.

 

What a stupid design.

How about righty tighty lefty loosey. Naw, we'll re-engineer it so you have to push up and do the Macarena at the same time.

 

Mine broke off last time I changed it. How do you go about replacing? Not near truck now and wondered what I needed to do, especially to keep more diesel from pouring out.

 

Thanks to the OP for posting this, great information!

 

Thanks for sharing...I'll be draining mine soon (8,000 kms on the odo).

 

Unless you are changing the filter; then you get to see the diesel wasted.