Draining Water Separator
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 4
From: Edmond, OK
Sorry about the hijack, I own a 6.0 but your post caught my attention. Some of you are probably former 6.0 owners. Anyway, am I to understand that your HFCM (water separator) has a lever to open for draining? If so, that's cool because the 6.0 requires a 6mm allen wrench.
Any chance that the lever can be retro-fitted?
Thanks,
Bill
Any chance that the lever can be retro-fitted?
Thanks,
Bill
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...rain-plug.html
You won't need the allen wrench.
DTS Articles - HFCM Water Separator Drain Plug Upgrade
Good luck,
Bob
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
I am in water separator hell. getting drain warning, the "wrench" and limp mode all the time. had it in the shop mutiple times and just got a new sensor installed. previously a drain would give me about a pint and allow for normal operation for about 20 miles before i got the warning again. just tonight i let it drain and got more than a gallon before i finally shut if off. i'm sick of this **** and just wondering if the sensor can be bypassed or disabled. going back to the dealer next week.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Are you getting the "Water in fuel" message? Or just the wrench and limp-home?
If it's water-in-fuel then you certainly do NOT want to disable that sensor! Water making it past the filters and into the HPFP has been known to cause the HPFP to fail to the tune of a $10-12,000 repair. If you are getting that much water coming out then you have bad fuel...if there's no water in the fuel you may still have a bad sensor.
If it's water-in-fuel then you certainly do NOT want to disable that sensor! Water making it past the filters and into the HPFP has been known to cause the HPFP to fail to the tune of a $10-12,000 repair. If you are getting that much water coming out then you have bad fuel...if there's no water in the fuel you may still have a bad sensor.
FORD USER
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
I have had water in fuel sign but no Wrench. I think you have something else going on, Have you had your fuel checked . I think you might have fuel that has been mixed with something (gas, bad bio, Low c-tane, BAD FUEL)
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
since having the system checked and sensor changed a few weeks back, i have ran three full tanks of fuel (all from different stations) and still get the sparadic messaging of "drain water separator" and the "wrench" giving me limp mode. my assumption is that the new sensor is bad and it's going back in the shop this week. thanks for the input.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Wetumpka, Alabama
Weyland426, my truck is doing exactly you stated. Warning message is displaying, "drain water separator" and the "wrench" giving me limp mode. I have drained at least a half galloon from the separator and when I start the truck back up the message is displaying and I’m still in limp mode. Should I have dealership tow it in? Or is it safe to drive to dealer in limp mode? I’m thinking not, but there should be plenty of folks on this site to give me the right advice.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Weyland426, my truck is doing exactly you stated. Warning message is displaying, "drain water separator" and the "wrench" giving me limp mode. I have drained at least a half galloon from the separator and when I start the truck back up the message is displaying and I’m still in limp mode. Should I have dealership tow it in? Or is it safe to drive to dealer in limp mode? I’m thinking not, but there should be plenty of folks on this site to give me the right advice.
FORD USER
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
Weyland426, my truck is doing exactly you stated. Warning message is displaying, "drain water separator" and the "wrench" giving me limp mode. I have drained at least a half galloon from the separator and when I start the truck back up the message is displaying and I’m still in limp mode. Should I have dealership tow it in? Or is it safe to drive to dealer in limp mode? I’m thinking not, but there should be plenty of folks on this site to give me the right advice.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Wetumpka, Alabama
Yes I had the flash done back in April and about 1000 (30K service) I had the fuel filters replaced. I'm thinking bad fuel, since I just filled up yesterday and the problem started today on the way home from work.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
since having the system checked and sensor changed a few weeks back, i have ran three full tanks of fuel (all from different stations) and still get the sparadic messaging of "drain water separator" and the "wrench" giving me limp mode. my assumption is that the new sensor is bad and it's going back in the shop this week. thanks for the input.
I had the exact same issue and the same procedures done. Take it back if you are under warranty. They will have to replace the WHOLE housing. This was what fixed my problem. I never got the wrench symbol though.
I now make it a monthly routine to drain the water.
In the past I would drain and nothing came out. My driveway is sort of slope maybe 3/12 slope if that. I now back the truck up the driveway. I drain for 30 count.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Wetumpka, Alabama
My problem ended up being covered by the warranty. They are replacing the rail fuel filter housing and fuel filter in the engine and if either of them has gunk/dirt/etc…, in them, they will be draining the fuel tank as well. Right now, I'm happy with the service department at my local dealership. Hopefully I'm not speaking too early, but if they resolve the issue completely I'll be really happy.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
i'm somewhat embarrassed to say that after leaving the dealership friday with the recommendation of using fuel additive...i have run an entire tank thru with no warnings. but since i have used multiple fuel brands ove the last few months, i still don't buy that this was my problem all along. i'll be waiting for the eventual replacement of the rail fuel filter housing as well.