Leaky water separator/filter
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From: Near the ocean
Leaky water separator/filter
I searched the posts prior to posting this because I couldn't find a good answer. My filter/separator is leaking at the drain valve. I suspect it is caused by the regular use of bio diesel. Can I take the bottom housing off the filter and replace the o-rings? I don't want to put a bolt in it. Thanks Tom D.
Last edited by Tom D; Aug 30, 2008 at 06:43 PM. Reason: Spelling
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Ford and Navistar sells a replacement drain seal for it but I think you will experence it again. My bet is that the Bio Diesel is high in methanol and it is braking down the rubber in the seal. I would also check your return lines for leaks too, but be careful if they are hard and you move them they will start leaking. Mine started leaking and I ending up replacing the whole base and the return lines. I was told it was the ULSD Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel but they were using Biodiesel that was not fully washed and had high comsertrations of Methanol.
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That might be true I do not know all the facts, but Methanol will rapidly degrade rubber parts and that is a proven fact. If Bio Diesel is not washed properly or is not filtered it can have high concerations of unmixed Methanol.
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Elder User
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From: Near the ocean
I am aware that methanol is tough on rubber seals. This is the only rubber failure I have had since riunning bio. It was dripping a little before. This just added to it.
Thanks for all replies. I will try to fix valve if that's what you recommend.
Tom D.
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From: Mississippi
don't know if this will make it last longer or not, but on my '90, i replaced the o-ring with a faucet washer. had to modify, trim the washer to get it to fit right, but it stopped the leak. i'm not running bio fuel, but as this washer is thicker than o-ring, might last a bit longer.
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From: denver
I occasionally run a little bio as a fuel conditioner and never had problem with leakage until wix came up with their "new and improved" fuel filter. I went through 3 of them in a year, they would all start leaking at the big oring on the base. I put in a non wix (wix makes the napa filter too) and it hasn't leaked since. It would take a about 2-3 months for the filter to leak using only about 1 qt biodiesel per tank.
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I occasionally run a little bio as a fuel conditioner and never had problem with leakage until wix came up with their "new and improved" fuel filter. I went through 3 of them in a year, they would all start leaking at the big oring on the base. I put in a non wix (wix makes the napa filter too) and it hasn't leaked since. It would take a about 2-3 months for the filter to leak using only about 1 qt biodiesel per tank.
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From: Belfast, Maine
Go to NAPA and get filter # 3617 and do away with the two piece filter. The new filter is one piece with the drain built into the bottom. You will need to use the water in fuel sensor from the factory design, and the new filter comes with the needed o-ring.
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Thanks, I will check it out. Tom
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