N.Johnson

Was thinking of this old diesel problem and thought I would revisit it for the new guys. When the temps start to drop in the fall intrapped water will fall out of the diesel. Don't panic it is only a miniscule amount and your filter will take care of it, but the point is as temps start to cool regularly drain your bowl a little bit (in the morning cold or whenever) every couple of days. Not to push the panic button, but the 3rd gen fuel tanks have two tank breathers, one forward plastic 90 degree 1/4 elbow and the same on the rear top of the tank. Since mother mopar is always looking to save a buck the same plastic elbows and tank are used in the hemi powered trucks as emissions breathers for gas engines. However, on the diesel trucks these are left alone with no HOSE CONNECETED. I've read that the newer trucks have short hoses attached? A little insurance to keep any water/road spray out of the breathers is connect 1/4" fuel hose between these useless nipples, attach a tee and then run it up to the main filler neck ending in a loop. Remember these nipples are not a problem running as they won't allow easy access but when it gets cold and the truck/fuel tank cools the fuel contracts and sucks the crap in. If you don't believe me attach a hose to (especially the rear tank nipple) and blow/suck into it. These breather nipples sit in a moulded depression on the front and rear of the fuel tanks and will collect water. Always remember mother mopar will deny warranty for contaminated fuel! It's on you to ensure your fuel is clean or a cp3/injectors run about $6500

bulabula

Hmmm, "Don't panic.... Not to push the panic button..."?? For the Chicken Littles out there, the sky isn't falling. Maybe you've got really lousy fuel up there in BC, but draining the bowl every couple of days is overkill - thats for the new guys. If you fill up 3-4 times a day, okay.....

Bottom line is to purchase fuel from a good source.

I've heard of two lines of reasoning on what is a good fuel source. Some say truck stops with high volumes/turnover of product are good; the downside is that many of these places have been around for a long long time, and may not keep their tanks clean, and as the level in them drops, you may pick up dirt from the dregs of the tank.

The other is that go with the newer stations with new tanks that haven't had the time to grow and foster filthy underground tank conditions.

I haven't figured out how to tell who's got the best fuel by looking at them or the lights out front of the station, but I am discriminating on who and where I purchase fuel from. If I find fuel that is reasonably priced and returns better fuel mileage, I'll stay there. If it seems groggy, etc, I'll avoid them afterwards.

Me? I get better fuel mileage from the Royal Farms station than I do from the truck stop further down the road; Its also less expensive. Thats where I try and fill up. BTW, at the truck stop, my shoes stink afterward from having to walk around in #2 puddles everywhere. Some may get a woody from stinking like #2 at work, but I don't.

As always, YMMV.

N.Johnson

Your missing the point chief. We have two open vents on our fuel tanks in a moulded depression that will allow water/crude into the tank mainly the rear vent. Old topic I tried to bring to life for the new guys without adding "where to buy your diesel" crap. If you can still move your retired bones around crawl under your truck and have a look. Oh ya you go to the dealer for oil changes

Toto

N Johnson

I hope your just kidding with your reply to Chris?
Otherwise you need to learn some manors!

Jim O

I agree he was rude but he is not wrong, and his signature is from Ontario not BC. I dropped my tank when I installed my auxillery tank . to remove the elbows he is talking about. I had a plug in the rear one but the front one would have allowed water to enter the tank from the top. I plugged this one also. My auxillery tank flows into the factory tank and I installed a breather with a 40 micron element for the auxillery tank. I also filter the fuel as it flows from the auxillery to the factory tank. when the fuel guage starts to move off of the full mark I know that I am out on the auxillery tank. A lot of trucks in the oil patch up here are equipped this way you can do it on a Furd and a Dodge but it will turn the check engine light on on a Chuv.
Jim O

Smokeitup

DOes a guy need to drop the tank to get to these breather elbows or can I do this with the tank in place?

Scotty

Thanks for the reminder! Last witner I had the water in fuel light come on lots when I had super heated fuel going into the tank and melting the water/ice on that indent, then it all ran into the tank.
As soon as my weary old knee is good to go I am under there and extending the vents with some hose.

Eh.

Scotty

Toto

Yes N Johnson was correct about the open vent elbows.
I attached hoses to mine and ran them down between the tank and the heat shield and out thru the frame/box supports ( I think)

I did not drop the tank but just crawled under and did it by feel.
I had quite the time getting under the truck....if you are not as fat as me it won't be as difficult.

Casey Balvert

My BIL just ran into fuel contamination problems. Occurred after we had some sloppy weather. I suggested he put the hose on the nipples as well. Still can't believe the DC let that slip through and then has the gall to blame the customers.

Casey

Sevir

When I did my tank vent kit, i just took the 2 part apoxy from the vent kit and pluged those elbos. they are completely usless and using them as vent hoses is more of a hassle then to just plug em up.