HFCM Drain
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 112
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From: RI
I use my 6mm hex head 3/8 drive socket with a 6 inch extension, works great goes right over driveshaft, without jacking truck. Just watch you dont overtighten. A wobble extension would give alittle more flexiblity if you need it. I followed sbv`s directions and didnt take a bath on the first try. Hope this helps. John
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
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From: Bossier City, LA
Probably the most improtant question I have never asked among the forum is......The people here who drain their HFCM regularly (2 weeks, monthly) how much trash are you finding in it, what additives are you using.
With 3 tanks of fuel (through the new HFCM) and all of them with the power service additive I drained it when I got home and found about a 1/3 of a teaspoon of what looked like gelled water and sediment.
Ryan
With 3 tanks of fuel (through the new HFCM) and all of them with the power service additive I drained it when I got home and found about a 1/3 of a teaspoon of what looked like gelled water and sediment.
Ryan
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
I have rarely found any sediment or water. I have over 25,000 miles and check every month. I use Stanadyne or Power Service with every tank. You might mention it to your diesel supplier if you get it at the same place each time.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
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From: Bossier City, LA
SB I have just started using the power service recently and am wondering if it is doing too good of a job of cleaning the tank out for me. LOL
Also something a friend mentioned to me today that makes sense. When I go offshore for work, I leave my truck sit, sometimes as long as 3 weeks. Probably all the more reason to use an additive in every tank.
Ryan
Also something a friend mentioned to me today that makes sense. When I go offshore for work, I leave my truck sit, sometimes as long as 3 weeks. Probably all the more reason to use an additive in every tank.
Ryan
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Off shore? Are you in the moldy south? A biocide additive might make a difference. I know with diesel powered boats that sit a lot, biocide is a must. I don't know if PS has it or not. Mold grows on everything here in Texas.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
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From: Bossier City, LA
Originally Posted by SBV45
Off shore? Are you in the moldy south?
I have been looking for ones with the biocide in them, and have not found one yet.
Stanadyne is kinda hard to find here, well not available at wally world anyway.
Ryan
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad, California
I have checked mine three times now and with 26000 miles on the truck have not seen more than a drop. And I'm not entirely sure that that drop wasn't already in the bottle that I poured the drain pan contents into.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 112
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From: RI
I havent found anything in mine the few times I have drained it. I use sunoco fuel 98% of the time. I hadnt used any additives till I drove to FL last week, I used the power service anti gel formula. I didnt notice any change in mileage or performance.
I was talking to my friend that owns the station where I buy my fuel and he was telling me how there are monitors in the tanks in the ground that tell how much water is in the bottom of the tank, there usually is about one inch or less of water in his, if it gets to 2 inches an alarm sounds and they come and pump out the water. One inch in his tanks works out to around 17 gallons of water. I think he said he has 5,000 gallon tanks. The pickup in the tank is 8 inches from the bottom of the tank so sucking up water from his tank would be highly unlikely unless something failed. I didnt ask him if the water got stirred up when the tanks were being filled, I will ask when I see him again if water could get sucked up that way. I thought this was kind of interesting and thought I would pass the info along. Take care, John
I was talking to my friend that owns the station where I buy my fuel and he was telling me how there are monitors in the tanks in the ground that tell how much water is in the bottom of the tank, there usually is about one inch or less of water in his, if it gets to 2 inches an alarm sounds and they come and pump out the water. One inch in his tanks works out to around 17 gallons of water. I think he said he has 5,000 gallon tanks. The pickup in the tank is 8 inches from the bottom of the tank so sucking up water from his tank would be highly unlikely unless something failed. I didnt ask him if the water got stirred up when the tanks were being filled, I will ask when I see him again if water could get sucked up that way. I thought this was kind of interesting and thought I would pass the info along. Take care, John
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 39
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Another thing that could be causing MRXLH to get small quantity of water after sitting for 3 weeks is normal condensation caused by temperature changes. If your tank is not full, or close to it, the added air space heats and cools with the temperature of the day/night. This can and will cause some condensation to form, don't know how much, just know that it will. I have an 04/03 Eddie Bauer Excursion 6.0 that sits in my driveway for weeks at a time. I always keep the tank full of fuel. Drain the HFCM every time I change oil, which can be quite frequently since I now have 24000 miles on her and she turned 1 year old the end of Nov. I have gotten only a small amount of water just 2 times, other 3 times, nothing but fuel. Have gotten some small black particles also (no more than 3 or 4 very small pieces, looks like black pepper), just figured it to be dirt from some tank I refueled from along the way.
Another thing is to watch where you buy your fuel. Try to buy from a dealer that moves enough of the stuff so you always get the freshest available. I buy from a selective group here in my town, and when on the road, I always buy at a truck stop like Lowes, Petro, or any large mover of diesel fuel.
Another thing is to watch where you buy your fuel. Try to buy from a dealer that moves enough of the stuff so you always get the freshest available. I buy from a selective group here in my town, and when on the road, I always buy at a truck stop like Lowes, Petro, or any large mover of diesel fuel.