Water Sperator
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Covington usa
Water Sperator
Water Separator, I've looked all around the filter and read the books and still don't see anything that looks like a water separator. On my fuel filter there's only the filter and nothing else except the plate that screws on the bottom…there are a few wires but nothing that look like a bowl or something that could collect water. Filter looks just like the one in the box, the only reason I'm worried is cause I was told it should be checked now and again…any ideas? Mine is a 93 7.3L 4x4 XLT F350
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
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From: Ladner, British Columbia
You are looking in the right place. The water collects in the bowl you talked about. The wires connect to the water sensor inside the bowl and turn the "Water in Fuel" light on your dash on if it senses water.
There is a little brass wheel at the bottom of the bowl you can use to drop any water in the bowl. Most trucks also have a small steel tube running down the side of the engine block. I find it to be very annoying and have gotten rid of mine so I can see when the water turns to diesel.
The Ford bowls are aluminium and you can't see thru them. If you want to see the water you need to switch to a Racor filter unit. Many of them you can get with a clear plastic bowl that you can see thru and see if there is any water building up.
Sebastian.
There is a little brass wheel at the bottom of the bowl you can use to drop any water in the bowl. Most trucks also have a small steel tube running down the side of the engine block. I find it to be very annoying and have gotten rid of mine so I can see when the water turns to diesel.
The Ford bowls are aluminium and you can't see thru them. If you want to see the water you need to switch to a Racor filter unit. Many of them you can get with a clear plastic bowl that you can see thru and see if there is any water building up.
Sebastian.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Covington usa
Mnay have said the same as you Hamberger, but my fuel filter almost touches the engine, so there's no room for a bowl. The filter in the box (new) is the same size...no room for a bowl. there is a plate on the bottom of the filter with a wire. on the side of the braket that holds the filter there is a air connection like the ones on a tire...what it's for god only knows... it looks like all I have to do is unscrew the filter and put another one in the...I'm confused
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
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From: Ladner, British Columbia
If its a factory filter then you should be able to unscrew the filter complete with bowl and than put the old filter in a vise and remove the bowl and tranfer it to the new filter and then screw the whole thing back onto the factory bracket.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: France
air connection
Originally Posted by LonnieD
Mnay have said the same as you Hamberger, but my fuel filter almost touches the engine, so there's no room for a bowl. The filter in the box (new) is the same size...no room for a bowl. there is a plate on the bottom of the filter with a wire. on the side of the braket that holds the filter there is a air connection like the ones on a tire...what it's for god only knows... it looks like all I have to do is unscrew the filter and put another one in the...I'm confused
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,448
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Lonnie, if you only have a filter on it (a filter without the bottom water separator bowl part)your truck was most likely upgraded to a larger filter, and the water separator was eliminated. it is not a big deal, allot of people do that swap for the larger filter. just make sure the new filter is full before putting it on. if put on empty, you will fire, but then die when the fuel in the lines and pump run out, and then it is a pita to bleed the system. after putting the full filter on, i normally start on 1/2 throttle and hold it there till it purges the air out. you will know. it will start to stumble, then clear up.
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Elder User
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From: Covington usa
Ok Tjc, sounds like you have a good point and sounds correct. (upgraded filter) I'll visually inspect the fuel lines first to ensure there's not one hiding someplace. Surprised how many differences there are between the same year trucks...I should also go an order a real owners manual from Ford. They only charge 38.00 and that could save me some grief 
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
if you are going to get a factory service manual, make sure you get the truck manual, engine manual, and engine/emissions diagnostic manual.
i only got the first 2, and it is kinda hard to troubleshoot some things without the engine/emissions book.
i only got the first 2, and it is kinda hard to troubleshoot some things without the engine/emissions book.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
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From: Manitoba
Lonnie go here to get all the info you need ........
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/idi.htm
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/idi2.htm
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/idi.htm
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/idi2.htm
Last edited by PLC7.3; Feb 19, 2006 at 12:05 AM.
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Elder User
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From: Covington usa
PLC7.3 great web sites all I can say at this point is wow...there's so mcuh to see and do! hanks so much!! One question, what the difference between IDI and Non-IDI? Prodcution year of truck?
Post Fiend
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
IDI was from 83 to mid year 94. This includes three different motors 6.9 NA, 7.3 NA and 7.3 turbo.
Mid 94 production moved to the Power Stroke DI (Direct Injection) motor and has been there since. This includes the 7.3 Power Stroke and 6.0 Power Stroke motors.
Mid 94 production moved to the Power Stroke DI (Direct Injection) motor and has been there since. This includes the 7.3 Power Stroke and 6.0 Power Stroke motors.