Drain Fuel Water Separator
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,057
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From: Florida
ruschejj,
Welcome to the site. There are so many knowledgeable and helpful people here it is great.
These trucks are awesome. You answered my question regarding a specific fuel brand being better than another. I use BP more than anything but I have been using the Walmart(can't remember the brand name) lately.
I have heard that Motorcraft's fuel additive is very good. I personally use "Diesel Kleen" because of the cost vs others. There was an additive thread posted not to long ago that was very informative so check it out.
Welcome to the site. There are so many knowledgeable and helpful people here it is great.
These trucks are awesome. You answered my question regarding a specific fuel brand being better than another. I use BP more than anything but I have been using the Walmart(can't remember the brand name) lately.
I have heard that Motorcraft's fuel additive is very good. I personally use "Diesel Kleen" because of the cost vs others. There was an additive thread posted not to long ago that was very informative so check it out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
I decided to dig out the manual today to see what it said on the matter of draining the water separator. Page 64 of the Powerstroke Owners Guide Supplement says "check and drain fuel filter/water separator every month".
I also found where the separator only holds 0.2 pints or 100cc of water.
Hope that helps.
I also found where the separator only holds 0.2 pints or 100cc of water.
Hope that helps.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Oregon
If you get water in your fuel, running your tank out will not necessarily get rid of the water. The reason water is such an issue with diesel is that diesel will absorb water very readily. Your fuel is constantly sloshing around as you drive thus keeping the water dispersed. There are two kinds of water treatments out there. One makes the water coalesce together to be trapped by the water separator. The other causes the water to breakdown into very minute particles and pass through the water separator to be burned very gradually, without harm, by the engine. The last method is the most complete and effective method, but you may have to treat several tankfuls to get rid of the water completely. Read the fuel treatment package to determine which one you are getting. Very important to get rid of the water before spring, because water in warm fuel leads to algae like growth. That situation will clog fuel filters very quickly and frequently, and is sometimes a bitch to eliminate, especially if you don't burn at least a tankful of fuel everyday. Not good.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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one more question about water in my fuel
thank you so very much for the clear explanation! can you please tell me what the best products are for dealing with water in fuel? i cant thank you enough!
sincerely,
mark turik
bailey, nc
sincerely,
mark turik
bailey, nc
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
You have left the door open for me to be a total smart a$$. It can be very simple, drill a hole in the bottom of it.
Seriously though, I would have to crawl under mine to see if there is a low point drain or if the fuel line will come off at a low point. Somebody on here might know what happens if you just remove the input line from the entrance to the first fuel filter and turn the ignition on. It might pump it all out for you.
Seriously though, I would have to crawl under mine to see if there is a low point drain or if the fuel line will come off at a low point. Somebody on here might know what happens if you just remove the input line from the entrance to the first fuel filter and turn the ignition on. It might pump it all out for you.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
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ajm50, sounds like you are still having trouble from your bad tank of fuel. Hate to hear that!! There is no good way to drain the tank (such as a drain valve) and based on the efforts you have already gone through, it would be my advice to drop the whole tank. I know that sounds like a real pain but its not that bad.
Based on your trouble and efforts so far I think this is your only choice. Attempting to completely drain the tank through one of the lines wont be effective enough (IMO) because the water/dirt separates to the bottom and unless you get every last drop out of the tank, what you are leaving in there is water/dirt.
Other than your light repeatedly coming on I dont remember you saying if you were having any other issues. Are you getting water out of the separator each time you drain it? Are you having any performance issues? Hate to see you drop the tank if its just a bad sensor.
Based on your trouble and efforts so far I think this is your only choice. Attempting to completely drain the tank through one of the lines wont be effective enough (IMO) because the water/dirt separates to the bottom and unless you get every last drop out of the tank, what you are leaving in there is water/dirt.
Other than your light repeatedly coming on I dont remember you saying if you were having any other issues. Are you getting water out of the separator each time you drain it? Are you having any performance issues? Hate to see you drop the tank if its just a bad sensor.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,889
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From: MACON, GA
My bet that info is listed here somewhere. I remember reading about many that accidentally put GASOLINE in their diesel truck. Only way to get it out is to empty the tank. Maybe someone had the experience.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 28
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caprang, Thanks for the advice. I have only run one tank of fuel since my problems began. I was out of town for a week and truck sat. I am still getting water when I drain the seperator every day or I should say twice a day. It apears that the stretches on warning light coming on is a little longer. I guess I'm a little tired of crawling under the truck twice a day. I am not having any issues as far as the way the truck is performing. Do you think I should let the fuel run down low and hopefully more water will come into seperator or should I continue filling it up at about half a tank and keep adding a water additive? Thanks in advance.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 346
From: Breckenridge, TX
You should look up the various threads on the Harpoon mod. To get inside the tank, people either 1. drop the tank, 2. jack up the bed, or 3. remove the bed, and since it involves pulling the sending unit out of the tank, you can just shove a hose in a siphon our whats in it.
Edit: I was suscribed to one. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...-the-tank.html
Edit: I was suscribed to one. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...-the-tank.html
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 346
From: Breckenridge, TX
I've honestly never tried, but don't most necks have a pin or something that stops you from shoving a tube in them? Plus, if you drop the tank/ pull the bed, you can check the sending unit and lines into filters.