Water Seperator
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 347
Likes: 12
Water Seperator
So, I may take some spears for this, but I figured since there was a warning light if the water separator filled with water, I have never drained it before today. I didn't get the light, but I didn't have much else to do, and curiosity got the best of me, so I did it. I have about 13,000 miles on the truck, and typically get my fuel from the same place every time. I drained about 3 fingers worth on my mason jar and not a single drop of water was in it. I can't see any problems at all in fact. Since I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for, I ended up putting some water in it from the faucet so I could see what I was looking for. Yep, not a single drop of water was in it.
So, unless the place I get my oil changed from does it, there doesn't seem to be much water in the fuel that I get. I take it to the dealer since I get free oil changes, but since they were a dealer, I would figure it would be on the receipt if they did it. I don't see any evidence.
So, has any one else seen this also? Not a single drop of water over 13,000 miles? This is my first diesel, so I'm still learning. Thanks everyone.
So, unless the place I get my oil changed from does it, there doesn't seem to be much water in the fuel that I get. I take it to the dealer since I get free oil changes, but since they were a dealer, I would figure it would be on the receipt if they did it. I don't see any evidence.
So, has any one else seen this also? Not a single drop of water over 13,000 miles? This is my first diesel, so I'm still learning. Thanks everyone.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 902
Likes: 51
From: Clark, WY
I've been driving diesels since '98. got over 220 miles on my 2000 F350 7.3. I've drained the separator twice, once in '06 when they changed to low sulfur fuel and the seal started leaking (happened to most of us) The other time was out of curiosity just like you. I say if your light comes on, then drain and check the fuel. If you do it any other time it is strictly a preventative maintenance thing, to make 100% sure the sensor is not bad and to make you feel better.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
The question I have is does the water float on top of the diesel? If so, then wouldn't you have to drain the entire fuel separator to get the water that is at the top? Has anyone here ever seen water when they drained it? It's probably a long shot, but does anyone have any pictures? I've seen a few Youtube maintenance videos, but never saw any that showed any water in the fuel.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Water sits on the bottom, clear white colour, vs diesel is yellow almost green. Need to use a clear glass jar for this reason.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,693
Likes: 12,817
From: Wyoming
I checked mine at 3,000 miles and had zero water. As Mike said above, the water sits on the bottom. So the first thing out of the separator is the water. Adding some water was a good check to make sure you hadn't just drained a full three fingers worth of water.
A number of guys have broken the separator drain valve when closing it. Keeping an extra one handy could save you a lot of time and inconvenience. They're cheap, less than $5.
A number of guys have broken the separator drain valve when closing it. Keeping an extra one handy could save you a lot of time and inconvenience. They're cheap, less than $5.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
New to diesel here as well. I drained mine at 4k miles just for curiosity as well. I thought the whole idea was to drain it till it stopped which I had the biggest Mason jar I could find. I think 4qt. It almost topped it off. No water was found. I too fill up where I know a lot of commercial trucks fill up as well. Heck lately I have to wait in line behind commercial trucks cause they only have two diesel pumps. Even when I travel I hit the busy truck stops where ya know they are going through fuel. Avoid the ma and pa stops in the middle of nowhere.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
99% of the time, no water is found. But keep in mind water filling the separator beyond capacity leads to a $9k fuel system replacement. Likewise, even the water in fuel warning turning on can lead to a warranty claim deny down the road even if you didn't go beyond capacity. Ford's official recommendation (at least for the 2011-2016 generation 6.7L) is to drain the separator once per month.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 107
From: Seattle area
Agree - Ford is a bit ambiguous on the separator drain. One section says only if the light illuminates, but the maintenance sections says (cut and paste):
Check every month -- Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary (or if indicated by the information display).
At every oil change interval as indicated by the information display -- Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary (or if indicated by the information display).
For some, every month is only one tank of fuel (excessive), for others, it could easily be over 500gals of diesel. The "right" frequency is completely subjective.
Check every month -- Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary (or if indicated by the information display).
At every oil change interval as indicated by the information display -- Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary (or if indicated by the information display).
For some, every month is only one tank of fuel (excessive), for others, it could easily be over 500gals of diesel. The "right" frequency is completely subjective.