water in fuel light while cornering
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
water in fuel light while cornering
I've put about 3500 miles on my '05 250 in the two months I've had it. Really enjoying it; ~16mpg, pretty comfortable. Last week, though, the water-in-fuel light started flashing on momentarily while I was going around a tight corner. Since then it has come on three or four times. I read the archives and the manual about flushing the filter, but I wonder if it's necessary since the light isn't staying on permanently? Anyone else have this happen? I'm wondering if maybe there is a slight amount of water in the filter that is slopping up against a sensor when I'm turning?
thanks,
B
thanks,
B
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Woburn Mass
My Mechanic says its nothing to worry about unless
My Mechanic says its nothing to worry about unless it stays on. I went to the mechanic to tell him I have a problrem with draining the fuel water reservoir and ask for his advice. He said "Let me guess, you stripped the nut" YES I DID after draining this reservoir a half dozen times. The machanic said "It happens all the time because they are made of brass and FORD has started making them out of steal"
So a heads up on draining this plug. They do not sell the plug, but they sell the whole assembly plate for under $100.00 at the parts counter if you want to change this yourself. You will also need a tool kit for taking the fuel lines off. 8 piece fuel & transmission line disconnect kit.part number Astro 7892 $53 online.
So a heads up on draining this plug. They do not sell the plug, but they sell the whole assembly plate for under $100.00 at the parts counter if you want to change this yourself. You will also need a tool kit for taking the fuel lines off. 8 piece fuel & transmission line disconnect kit.part number Astro 7892 $53 online.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
You must have the upgraded steel plug, drain as soon as possible. Nothing to lose, after all the light comes on for a reason. If you don't find any water in the fuel, next stop is the dealer. I find it odd that a mechanic would tell you to ignore the problem, what if the oil light just came on once in a while?
PS: I do believe the steel plug is available separately from Ford.
PS: I do believe the steel plug is available separately from Ford.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 205
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If the light comes on theres Water in there even if its a Very small drop, Unless the Sensor has Failed.. In any event, Drain it using a Small allen and when you put it back in, once it stops turning, Stop trying to turn it... When i was having water problems i had mine out more in a Week than most will the entire time they own there truck... Brass never failed me!
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Woburn Mass
If you drain the water out of the fuel every time that light comes on you'll be under your truck or taking it in every week.
With the 7.3 deisel, if the light came on that was a definitive reading and you must change, but on the 6.0 deisel it is a very sensitive sensor and you wait for it to become more constant, then you should change it.
They replaced the brass nut for a reason. that is because it hex strips not the threads, but the hex where the allen rench inserts.
With the 7.3 deisel, if the light came on that was a definitive reading and you must change, but on the 6.0 deisel it is a very sensitive sensor and you wait for it to become more constant, then you should change it.
They replaced the brass nut for a reason. that is because it hex strips not the threads, but the hex where the allen rench inserts.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 2
From: Northern Utah
Originally Posted by ersatzs2
Anyone else have this happen?
BTW I've gotten some bad fuel and had to drain mine twice in one week and all is well.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
Take it to the dealer, it is a bad sensor, had 1 changed out in my 03, it did the same thing, came on when cornering or braking hard. Also see if you can sweet talk the tech into changing out to the new style HFCM with the lever instead of the drain plug. That is the first on my list in my 05.
Ryan
Ryan
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
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I have a 04 6.0, and with 38K have never had the water light come on. I also have the steel plug, works fine.
Originally Posted by Yukon John
If you drain the water out of the fuel every time that light comes on you'll be under your truck or taking it in every week.
With the 7.3 deisel, if the light came on that was a definitive reading and you must change, but on the 6.0 deisel it is a very sensitive sensor and you wait for it to become more constant, then you should change it.
They replaced the brass nut for a reason. that is because it hex strips not the threads, but the hex where the allen rench inserts.
With the 7.3 deisel, if the light came on that was a definitive reading and you must change, but on the 6.0 deisel it is a very sensitive sensor and you wait for it to become more constant, then you should change it.
They replaced the brass nut for a reason. that is because it hex strips not the threads, but the hex where the allen rench inserts.
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Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by mrxlh
Take it to the dealer, it is a bad sensor, had 1 changed out in my 03, it did the same thing, came on when cornering or braking hard. Also see if you can sweet talk the tech into changing out to the new style HFCM with the lever instead of the drain plug. That is the first on my list in my 05.
Ryan
Ryan
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
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From: Mexifornia
Water/Fuel Sensor Bad
Exactly what happened to me at 6K; kept draining it and light would come back on (no water by the way). Called nearest dealer as I was at the cabin and they said I was screwed it would be 3K min. in repairs...then called my own dealer and he said don't worry its the sensor (actually the fuel heater shorts out the water sensor he said later). Anyways he said just keep on driving it and forget about it till I got home...after I had also changed both filters I carry with me too- that was $80. I was embarassed because my buddies both had new Duramaxes and told me what a piece I had. Anyways took it in when I got back and guess what...he was right...sensor was bad...he said they have a lot of them going bad.
2004 SDCC 4WD SB
2004 SDCC 4WD SB
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
To the best of my knowledge there is no new HFCM manifold with a lever. I changed one yesterday for a customer and the current parts stock still has the plug. I also have not seen any bulletin or TSB on the subject relating to a new cover with a lever. It would be nice.
A little advice:
See Photo (if there is no picture, PM me and I'll post a link instead)
A little advice:
- When you get your new truck home,crack that plug loose and just like "THE MAN" stated, snug it back on very slightly. I also apply anti-seize compound to the threads.
- The plug IS available separately and the replacement IS steel.
- If you screwed up the plug, the plug and the HFCM manifold are covered under the 3/36 warranty only. However, the entire HFCM is covered under the 5/100 warranty but good luck finding a dealer willing to change the entire unit for a stripped drain plug. That would be wrong on several levels.
- And finally, if the light is coming on intermittently, you have water in the collection bowl. I have yet to see a sensor actually fail. What does happen is a waxy build-up of contaminants forms in the collection bowl causing a major reduction of the capacity of the bowl. Sometimes this contamination reaches the sensor and fouls it. This causes the light to remain on at all times... even after draining the bowl.
See Photo (if there is no picture, PM me and I'll post a link instead)
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Try this http://community.webshots.com/photo/...11320017ENjjYX
If the link don't work cut and paste the address. I find a lot of things don't work in posts.
If the link don't work cut and paste the address. I find a lot of things don't work in posts.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
"To the best of my knowledge there is no new HFCM manifold with a lever. I changed one yesterday for a customer and the current parts stock still has the plug. I also have not seen any bulletin or TSB on the subject relating to a new cover with a lever. It would be nice."
Ford Doc, not that I am questioning you, but the new 05 owners manual shows a picture of one in it. I believe it also states that early model 05's will still have the plug.
Ryan
Ford Doc, not that I am questioning you, but the new 05 owners manual shows a picture of one in it. I believe it also states that early model 05's will still have the plug.
Ryan
New User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I own two 1995 7.3L F350's. On one the water in fuel sensor started lighting up when I made right turns, then only when it rained, now it says on all the time no mater if I drain it, change filters or completely clean out the sludge. Ford could not find a bad sensor in it either. I used to drain it every week but now it has been 3 years since I really stopped draining it on a regularly basis.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by mrxlh
"To the best of my knowledge there is no new HFCM manifold with a lever. I changed one yesterday for a customer and the current parts stock still has the plug. I also have not seen any bulletin or TSB on the subject relating to a new cover with a lever. It would be nice."
Ford Doc, not that I am questioning you, but the new 05 owners manual shows a picture of one in it. I believe it also states that early model 05's will still have the plug.
Ryan
Ford Doc, not that I am questioning you, but the new 05 owners manual shows a picture of one in it. I believe it also states that early model 05's will still have the plug.
Ryan
Ryan,
I know it's in the owner's manual and I am positive that I read the same thing in other threads. A mistake by Ford? Maybe they had plans to do some kind of a lever and it's not on the trucks for some reason. And feel free to dispute or question if you think I may be wrong... it happens! I just looked at the 2006 service manual and it still shows a plug. A nice petcock like the Econoline uses would save alot of people a lot of trouble maintaining their trucks! We haven't had any 2006 Super Duties with diesels roll in yet but as soon as I see one I will look. How's that?