This may sound like a dumb Question but, where is the seperater located and how do you drain it ? also how often should it be checked ?

This is my first diesel and the salesman did not metion this to us when we picked up the truck.

Thanks poeple

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2000 F-250 XLT 4x4 super cab , v-10 , 285 / 75 R16 BFG AT KO'S, the rest stock
2002 Gt Mustang convertiable (wifes)
2004 F-350 King Ranch 4x4 6.0 L ,285 / 75 R16 BFG AT KO'S, loaded with everything but the sink (wifes winter wheels and farm truck)

 

Seperator is on the inside passenger side frame rail about mid way underneath the bed of the truck.

I haven't had to drain mine yet, so I'm not sure how hard it is to do. From what I have read on here though, about other's doing it. It can get messy!

Anywho, enjoy your new Rig! They r0x0rz!!!1

 

1 grab the owners manual read over the ease at which it explains how to drain this.
2Drop to the ground next to the drivers door slip under that cold mother and there on the inside of the frame rail. Notice the extreme close proximity to that driveshaft. Back the plug out and attempt to dodge the diesel shower.
3 Wonder why they moved it off the top of the motor.
4 If the light comes on repeatedly visit your fine House of the Blue Oval
Good Luck.Emptied mine once a week for 3 months two sensors, havent been under it since.

 

I hadn't drained mine until last week - 8 months ad 18K miles and the water in fuel light came on a few times when I went around (mostly) hard left hand corners...

It IS messy to do...
One of the stupid designs for sure !!!
EVERY other diesel I've had b4 had a better way to do this !
either a petcock on top with a drain tube out the bottom or
at least one on the bottom that was easy to turn without fuel and water running down your arm !
one even had a way to hook a drain tube...

but not our's !

I parked half on the curb over a street drainto give me more room and not ruin my driveway in case of a large splash area...
put a LARGE old cloth tarp down,
then a 2' x 2' bucket with an old shop rag in it to limit the splashing...

still had a mess !

6 MM allen wrench and many half turns in a tight overhead spot with NO way to get the flush mounted drain plug out without drenching your arm in liquid !

Mine had a suprising amount of water in it before the diesel started running out ...

 

Sounds like fun...I will have to try it.

 

I went to Sears and bought a 6mm hex key for my 3/8 drive socket set.
Jack up the left front of the frame - I put a floor jack under the left front bumper mount. Raise the frame NOT, the front axle to allow the front drive shaft to drop down out of the way. You can use a 6 inch extension over the top of the front drive shaft. Once the plug is loose, just use the extension to remove the plug while holding a coffee can up under the fuel conditioner module. None on me or the garage floor.

 

Way to go Colorado !!
That's why I visit this site - well worth th time here !

 

Surf Fishn Truck, resend your email and open your FTE email please

 

Did that work?

 

Colorado native is a very bright fellow!! I am impressed. I have only drained mine once and that was at 15,000 miles when I changed all the fuel filters. It was messy, but C-N's idea of lifting the frame to change the drive shaft angle is truly ingenious.

 

Yep ruined my shirt as well as the rest of the laundry when the wife
tried to wash the shirt. Glad I live in florida, hate to be doing this in the cold. My light stayed on at 3500 miles. Like to have words with the engineering dept on that one. Will try raising the truck next time sounds like it will work.

 

how difficult is it to chane the lower f. filter? Does the fuel stop following? or does it continue while you secure the new one?

 

DRAINING THE FCM/HFCM AND CHANGING THE FUEL FILTERS

Your vehicle is equipped with two fuel filters; one is mounted on top of the engine. On F-Super Duty and Excursion vehicles, the second filter, inside the HFCM, is mounted inside the frame rail under the driver-side floorboard near the transmission. On E-Series vehicles, the second filter, inside the FCM, is mounted on the driver-side of the vehicle next to the transmission case. On all vehicles, both filters should be replaced at the same time. The Motorcraft part number for the replacement filters is FD-4604.
FCM/HFCM drain procedure
1. Stop the vehicle and shut off the engine.
The vehicle must be stopped with the engine off when draining
the HFCM/FCM. Fuel may ignite if the separator is drained while
the engine is running or vehicle is moving.
2. Locate the HFCM and place an appropriate container under the drain plug
3. Remove the drain plug, using a 6mm hex drive, by turning it
counterclockwise. Allow the HFCM/FCM to drain for approximately 25 seconds or until clean fuel is observed. Install the drain plug by turning it clockwise until it is firmly seated.
4. Verify that the drain plug is closed and sealed, then remove the
container from under the vehicle.
5. Restart the engine and check WATER IN FUEL indicator light; it
should not be illuminated. If it continues to illuminate, have the fuel system checked and repaired.

Removal - HFCM filter (F-Super Duty/Excursion)
1. Remove the fuel filter cap by turning counterclockwise.
2. Remove and discard the old fuel filter element.
3. Carefully clean the mating surfaces.

Removal - FCM filter (E-Series)
1. Remove the fuel filter cap by turning counterclockwise.
2. Remove and discard the old fuel filter element.
3. Carefully clean the mating surfaces.

Maintenance and Specifications

Removal - Engine-mounted fuel filter
• F-Super Duty/Excursion
• E-Series
1. Remove the fuel filter cap by turning counterclockwise.
2. Remove and discard the old fuel filter element.
3. Carefully clean the mating surfaces.
Installation - both
The engine will not run properly if the fuel filter is not installed
in housing.
1. Install the new fuel filter and cap seal (from Ford Part No. FD–4604) into the fuel filter housing.
2. Tighten cap onto fuel filter housing slowly, allowing fuel to soak into the fuel filter element. Tighten cap until it contacts the housing.

 

first and foremost i am a chevy man but a truck tech none the less, i joined this forum just so i could reply to this by saying that colorado-native is a awesome but to make this even better - check this out.... when the boss says his water-in-fuel light is on, i decided to check forums for location of the seperator(considering ive never touched a '05 f-350 diesel before in my life), i found this forum very helpfull but i shall add this...... cut a 4'' x 13'' piece of cardboard from closest trash pile with an old box in it. then fold it long-ways to create a valley straight to your drain bucket and to top this off cut a slice in the valley about 2-5'' long so you can insert the wrench in the slot between the driveshaft and the drainplug. this is a garuntee to not get any fuel or water anywhere but where you want it(in the bucket)

 

Holy 7 year old thread LOL