Drain Fuel Water Separator
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
To me the water in fuel light is like the old check engine lights. By the time it comes on its too late. Its so easy to drain on these trucks and its preventative maintenance. I have seen 7.3 and 6.0 trucks have fuel issues in the past and the light never came on.
My wife's car has an oil life index on the message center. At 7,500 miles it tells her she needs an oil change. Personally I am not waiting on that message to appear before I change her oil. Sure I could get away with it but her manual clearly calls for less mileage in "extreme conditions" and lets face it nearly every vehicle on the road qualifies for "extreme conditions".
In the case of the 2008 PSD and my wife's car, the manual is not "wrong" but the parameters established are for best case scenario and thats not realistic for most people. Considering the cost of these rigs, its just too easy to flip a little lever once a month to prevent problems.
Just my 2 cents worth and I probably owe you change back.
My wife's car has an oil life index on the message center. At 7,500 miles it tells her she needs an oil change. Personally I am not waiting on that message to appear before I change her oil. Sure I could get away with it but her manual clearly calls for less mileage in "extreme conditions" and lets face it nearly every vehicle on the road qualifies for "extreme conditions".
In the case of the 2008 PSD and my wife's car, the manual is not "wrong" but the parameters established are for best case scenario and thats not realistic for most people. Considering the cost of these rigs, its just too easy to flip a little lever once a month to prevent problems.
Just my 2 cents worth and I probably owe you change back.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
Regarding your specific situation, I agree with the previous advice to change filters and keep draining for a few hundred miles. If that doesn work then I agree there is a sensor issue.
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
100-03-3 Maintenance Schedule 100-03-3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
Monthly Checks
•
Replace wheel bearing grease and install new Check each of the following items every month:
grease seals on RWD front wheel bearings (if
non-sealed bearings) every 48,000 km (30,000 • All interior and exterior lights.
mi). • Tires for wear and correct air pressure (including
grease seals on RWD front wheel bearings (if
non-sealed bearings) every 48,000 km (30,000 • All interior and exterior lights.
mi). • Tires for wear and correct air pressure (including
•
Change rear axle lubricant every 80,000 km spare tire).
(50,000 mi). • Check that holes in the tailpipe of the exhaust
(50,000 mi). • Check that holes in the tailpipe of the exhaust
•
Change transfer case fluid every 96,000 km system are clear of foreign material and
(60,000 mi). holes/slots are functional.
(60,000 mi). holes/slots are functional.
Use of biodiesel, up to and including 5 precent
• Engine oil fluid level.
biodiesel (B5):
• Windshield washer solvent fluid level.
•
Install new frame-mounted and engine fuel filters • Check and drain fuel filter/water separator.
every 16,000 km (10,000 mi) or after 400 hours
of operation.
every 16,000 km (10,000 mi) or after 400 hours
of operation.
JK
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Candrew,
I haven't been online in a while so sorry for the delayed response. However, CAPRANG and KopeckyJ beat me to it. The "water in fuel message is a your "over the limit water getting into places that it shouldn't indicator" not a "drain the separator indicator".
I haven't been online in a while so sorry for the delayed response. However, CAPRANG and KopeckyJ beat me to it. The "water in fuel message is a your "over the limit water getting into places that it shouldn't indicator" not a "drain the separator indicator".
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Florida
ajm50,
I can't imagine the water storage capacity of the separator is more than a cup or so but I don't know exactly. Hopefully someone smarter than myself(which would not be hard) will chime in.
I can't imagine the water storage capacity of the separator is more than a cup or so but I don't know exactly. Hopefully someone smarter than myself(which would not be hard) will chime in.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Roseburg, Oregon
I just received a "new owner" mailing from Ford that included a nice brochure covering recommended maintenance stuff and general comments about how important it all is to making the truck last. Anyway, included was a comment that the water separator filter should be drained monthly. I went out and drained mine today. As far as I could tell there was no water at all. I have about 4,000 miles on mine so far.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
AJM50, got an update for us???
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
I have 5 trucks that I get all the fuel at the same place. They have had my truck in the shop 3 times and have installed 4 fuel pumps. I have also had the light come on. They think the fuel pump issue is maybe from water in the fuel. They told me I should drain it every two weeks, get fuel some place else, and don't park it in my heated shop (may condensate). My other trucks have never had a fuel related issue. I have also have had 4 sets of wipers on the truck in alittle over a year. I felt this was alittle much and asked why. They responded by asking me if I drive the truck in the sun... I resonded by saying no, I live in WI (the sun never shines in the winter) and that they have had the truck for 11 weeks out of the first year putting in fuel pumps and if it is the sun they should put curtains on there shop windows while it is there for 3 weeks at a time getting the fuel pumps replaced.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Kingfish,
Sorry to hear about your fuelpump woes. I don't even have an idea on that one except for a sh**y dealership that doesn't know what it is doing.
Just when I think I can not be amazed by what a dealership's service person will say or ask I hear another great one. "Do you drive the truck in the sun?" Was he serious?? What a dumb question. I live in FL and have had the same set of wipers since July of last year.
Sorry to hear about your fuelpump woes. I don't even have an idea on that one except for a sh**y dealership that doesn't know what it is doing.
Just when I think I can not be amazed by what a dealership's service person will say or ask I hear another great one. "Do you drive the truck in the sun?" Was he serious?? What a dumb question. I live in FL and have had the same set of wipers since July of last year.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I have 70,000 miles on my f250 6.4 and the drain water message has only come on 1 time. I have to say that I have only drained it that 1 time and it was probably a year ago.
Go easy on me, I'll start draining it now. I figure that I burn 3 to 6 tanks worth of fuel every week, if not more, so maybe the water just does not have time to separate? Anyone know?
Go easy on me, I'll start draining it now. I figure that I burn 3 to 6 tanks worth of fuel every week, if not more, so maybe the water just does not have time to separate? Anyone know?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Florida
ruschejj,
First, shame on you.(just kidding). I do drain mine every 4 to 6 weeks but I have noticed that there is not much water in the drained fluid when I am driving it a lot and going through a lot of fuel. What brand of diesel are you using for my own stupid curiosity?
First, shame on you.(just kidding). I do drain mine every 4 to 6 weeks but I have noticed that there is not much water in the drained fluid when I am driving it a lot and going through a lot of fuel. What brand of diesel are you using for my own stupid curiosity?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Hi GWCON, I found this site today and it's really cool and after casually searching for a long time I can finally talk to other people about truck stuff. Our trucks are just awesome.
To answer your question, I use every brand out there. I left my home in SC Friday afternoon, drove to Atlanta, filled up after working on Saturday at a BP. Then today I drove from Atlanta to LaFayette, LA. I stopped at a Pilot, a Valero, and an independent place I don't remember the name of. I use Shell a lot at home, Exxon sometimes, Pilot a fair amount, BP a fair amount, Flying J rarely, Conoco rarely. I could go on.....
When I first got my truck I had to carry a 5gal. can in the bed because I could not find ULSD about 4 in 10 tries. I'm glad those days are over. I actually ran LSD, maybe 5 gallons, one time in rural south GA. It was scary but nothing happened. I use Motorcraft Cetane Boost about half the time. You think that does anything?
To answer your question, I use every brand out there. I left my home in SC Friday afternoon, drove to Atlanta, filled up after working on Saturday at a BP. Then today I drove from Atlanta to LaFayette, LA. I stopped at a Pilot, a Valero, and an independent place I don't remember the name of. I use Shell a lot at home, Exxon sometimes, Pilot a fair amount, BP a fair amount, Flying J rarely, Conoco rarely. I could go on.....
When I first got my truck I had to carry a 5gal. can in the bed because I could not find ULSD about 4 in 10 tries. I'm glad those days are over. I actually ran LSD, maybe 5 gallons, one time in rural south GA. It was scary but nothing happened. I use Motorcraft Cetane Boost about half the time. You think that does anything?