Separator won’t drain
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 1,579
From: France
Happened to me the first time, initially nothing came out, but then the diesel started soaking through. Probably a small screwdriver and a gentle touch will clear it. Make sure you screw it closed properly or air will get in and get past the CP3 - I’d had my F350 for 24hrs when that happened and it took the rest of the day figuring it out and getting it to start…
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,773
Likes: 9,113
From: Western NY
I'm on my phone and cant see your sig, if you have one? What year?
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,773
Likes: 9,113
From: Western NY
Ahh... don't have a newer truck, have the DFCM, primary pump and filter, so I'll let the guys who have them answer. But that's weird alright... there's fuel in there and opening the drain should allow the fuel to come out...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,821
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From: Dallas Metroplex
If the drain petcock/**** is not loose (you can't wiggle it) then it's likely not disengaged enough to drain. If it comes down to it you can always put a bucket under the housing and loosen the bolts enough to allow fuel to drain out, then remove the base and see if there's any gunk clogging the drain hole.
It'll be a messy job, but hopefully it's just a case where the drain **** isn't fully disengaged. Remember, you have to push up and turn, so that you don't break the locking tabs on that **** when rotating it.
It'll be a messy job, but hopefully it's just a case where the drain **** isn't fully disengaged. Remember, you have to push up and turn, so that you don't break the locking tabs on that **** when rotating it.
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
If the drain petcock/**** is not loose (you can't wiggle it) then it's likely not disengaged enough to drain. If it comes down to it you can always put a bucket under the housing and loosen the bolts enough to allow fuel to drain out, then remove the base and see if there's any gunk clogging the drain hole.
It'll be a messy job, but hopefully it's just a case where the drain **** isn't fully disengaged. Remember, you have to push up and turn, so that you don't break the locking tabs on that **** when rotating it.
It'll be a messy job, but hopefully it's just a case where the drain **** isn't fully disengaged. Remember, you have to push up and turn, so that you don't break the locking tabs on that **** when rotating it.
Thanks, I’ll give it another shot. If I just remove it from the housing, will the fuel in the line eventually stop flowing or is their a check valve type device that will prevent the continuous flow of the fuel?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 720
From: Wisconsin
It should stop flowing on its own, but some guys like to do this job with a 1/4 tank of fuel or less. Once you confirm the drain valve is completely open,...if it still doesn't drain, probe gently with a plastic rod like tool into the port where it drains out. It could be as simple as a spiders nest stopping the flow. (this happened to me). And like Joe said, push upwards slightly while turning counter clockwise, should be approx. a 1/4 turn to drain.
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 6
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Great to get this response. I did purchase the aluminum one, I’m just a little skittish to try to do it myself. I’m not auto savvy. I tried finding a tutorial on how to do it without removing the housing but couldn’t find anything. It appears it takes a little force to remove and replace the part.
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
It should stop flowing on its own, but some guys like to do this job with a 1/4 tank of fuel or less. Once you confirm the drain valve is completely open,...if it still doesn't drain, probe gently with a plastic rod like tool into the port where it drains out. It could be as simple as a spiders nest stopping the flow. (this happened to me). And like Joe said, push upwards slightly while turning counter clockwise, should be approx. a 1/4 turn to drain.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 592
Likes: 250
Great to get this response. I did purchase the aluminum one, I’m just a little skittish to try to do it myself. I’m not auto savvy. I tried finding a tutorial on how to do it without removing the housing but couldn’t find anything. It appears it takes a little force to remove and replace the part.
It was pretty straight forward once I pulled straight down on the plastic one.
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