water fuel seperator PLUG
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by Super Steve
Hydroscopic? 
Does that mean diesel is not afraid of water?
Does that mean diesel is not afraid of water?and wouldn't it be good if it were......afraid of water
typing to fast 
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
I've got about 2500 miles on my F350 LB 4X4 after about 8 weeks. I drained the HFCM and the plug seemed to work very easy. You don't have to tighten down hard becuase of the o-ring. Mine's seated right when it's flush with the body of the HFCM. I did notice the 6mm wrench was a little sloppy. Don't know if it's my wrench though.
On another note, if water is heavier than diesel, can't we just crack the thing and let a couple ounces out? Do we have to drain the entire quart plus?
On another note, if water is heavier than diesel, can't we just crack the thing and let a couple ounces out? Do we have to drain the entire quart plus?
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 78
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Originally Posted by mrc59
I've got about 2500 miles on my F350 LB 4X4 after about 8 weeks. I drained the HFCM and the plug seemed to work very easy. You don't have to tighten down hard becuase of the o-ring. Mine's seated right when it's flush with the body of the HFCM. I did notice the 6mm wrench was a little sloppy. Don't know if it's my wrench though.
On another note, if water is heavier than diesel, can't we just crack the thing and let a couple ounces out? Do we have to drain the entire quart plus?
On another note, if water is heavier than diesel, can't we just crack the thing and let a couple ounces out? Do we have to drain the entire quart plus?
The tech at my dealership drains the whole thing...so thats what I did.
This is me thinking...(correct me if I am wrong). Anything that comes out of there was separated so why not drain the whole thing? If it has been separated into the resovoir doesn't it mean its all contaminated to some extent with water?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
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From: Carlsbad, California
Originally Posted by mrc59
I've got about 2500 miles on my F350 LB 4X4 after about 8 weeks. I drained the HFCM and the plug seemed to work very easy. You don't have to tighten down hard becuase of the o-ring. Mine's seated right when it's flush with the body of the HFCM. I did notice the 6mm wrench was a little sloppy. Don't know if it's my wrench though.
On another note, if water is heavier than diesel, can't we just crack the thing and let a couple ounces out? Do we have to drain the entire quart plus?
On another note, if water is heavier than diesel, can't we just crack the thing and let a couple ounces out? Do we have to drain the entire quart plus?
I noticed that my 6 mm wrench was a bit loose as well. This is the third time I've drained the thing and so far I haven't seen any water in the fuel. I poured the drained stuff into a bottle and let it sit as I have done for the other two times as well. I expected that if there was any water it would separate out after a while, but nope never saw any.
I don't get a quart out of the unit when I drain it, only about a pint.
I wonder is it is just because I'm in the San Diego area and the humidity is pretty low here. I only purchase fuel from name places that turn the fuel over pretty quickly.
Daryl
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 78
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Originally Posted by darylhunter
Just changed my oil and drained the HFCM as well. Current mileage is 21000.
I noticed that my 6 mm wrench was a bit loose as well. This is the third time I've drained the thing and so far I haven't seen any water in the fuel. I poured the drained stuff into a bottle and let it sit as I have done for the other two times as well. I expected that if there was any water it would separate out after a while, but nope never saw any.
I don't get a quart out of the unit when I drain it, only about a pint.
I wonder is it is just because I'm in the San Diego area and the humidity is pretty low here. I only purchase fuel from name places that turn the fuel over pretty quickly.
Daryl
I noticed that my 6 mm wrench was a bit loose as well. This is the third time I've drained the thing and so far I haven't seen any water in the fuel. I poured the drained stuff into a bottle and let it sit as I have done for the other two times as well. I expected that if there was any water it would separate out after a while, but nope never saw any.
I don't get a quart out of the unit when I drain it, only about a pint.
I wonder is it is just because I'm in the San Diego area and the humidity is pretty low here. I only purchase fuel from name places that turn the fuel over pretty quickly.
Daryl
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Carlsbad, California
Originally Posted by Bear_Hunter
Personally, I think its the quality of 6mm wrenches being used that account for "loosness". Mine locks in solid. As far as being able to see the water...I couldn't distinguish any in mine either...thats why I think its good to drain the entire thing...unless there are potential problems associated with that action.
I did check it with my calipers at the time and verifed that it was a 6 mm to within reasonable tolerances. I use the same wrench on my motorcycles all the time with no sign of slop. I also tried a few SAE wrenches to make sure that Ford didn't slip in a non metric part but none of the SAE wrenches fit.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 78
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Hmmm..my wrenches come from my bicycle toolset from performace. Its such a good fit that I had to make sure I set it in all the way before loosening the plug. Sure you have it set all the way in? Craftsman stuff should be good unless its the kind that has multiple sizes that fold out of the handle. I have found that those did have slop when working on my motorcycle (before I sold it). It would also account for not being able to seat it all the way in because it doesn't have an elbow.
Last edited by Bear_Hunter; May 9, 2004 at 12:21 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad, California
Originally Posted by Bear_Hunter
Hmmm..my wrenches come from my bicycle toolset from performace. Its such a good fit that I had to make sure I set it in all the way before loosening the plug. Sure you have it set all the way in? Craftsman stuff should be good unless its the kind that has multiple sizes that fold out of the handle. I have found that those did have slop when working on my motorcycle (before I sold it). It would also account for not being able to seat it all the way in because it doesn't have an elbow.
The wrenches fit each of my four motorcycles and two bicycles quite well.
Given the amount of slop, I'm not surprised that folks are having problems with the plug rounding out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by SBV45
Despite the fact that it says to draint it once a month in the Owners Manual? If you worry about those C94's so much, I would do the draining. And, I do.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 502
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From: Harker Heights, TX
2 oz of water or fuel? Will the water and fuel seperate into layers?
I have been using power services additive everytime I fill the tank and when the tank is going to sit longer than 1 day I top off the tank to the neck). Will I still need to drain the seperator monthly? Until Aug I will only be driving about 600 miles a month if that.
I have been using power services additive everytime I fill the tank and when the tank is going to sit longer than 1 day I top off the tank to the neck). Will I still need to drain the seperator monthly? Until Aug I will only be driving about 600 miles a month if that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Keep in mind that fuel additives do not eliminate water. The only additives that will allow water to eenter the system contain alcohol and these are a no no.
Even if your truck is sitting full you have nothing to lose by draining the fuel bowl except a few ounces of fuel.
Even if your truck is sitting full you have nothing to lose by draining the fuel bowl except a few ounces of fuel.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by Tadashi
2 oz of water or fuel? Will the water and fuel seperate into layers?
I have been using power services additive everytime I fill the tank and when the tank is going to sit longer than 1 day I top off the tank to the neck). Will I still need to drain the seperator monthly? Until Aug I will only be driving about 600 miles a month if that.
I have been using power services additive everytime I fill the tank and when the tank is going to sit longer than 1 day I top off the tank to the neck). Will I still need to drain the seperator monthly? Until Aug I will only be driving about 600 miles a month if that.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by Tadashi
2 oz of water or fuel? Will the water and fuel seperate into layers?
I have been using power services additive everytime I fill the tank and when the tank is going to sit longer than 1 day I top off the tank to the neck). Will I still need to drain the seperator monthly? Until Aug I will only be driving about 600 miles a month if that.
I have been using power services additive everytime I fill the tank and when the tank is going to sit longer than 1 day I top off the tank to the neck). Will I still need to drain the seperator monthly? Until Aug I will only be driving about 600 miles a month if that.
I keep expecting to see more……………