So back to the topic - how bad is it to run the engine with the "water in fuel" light on.... are we talking damage in seconds, minutes, etc....

 

I guess I never have really read up on this engine because basically, I've never really needed to do any work on the engine except change filters and oil. it is due for a valve adjust, but other than that, the thing has been performing flawlessly without any interference from me.

So I hope I can be forgiven for mistaking grid heaters for glow plugs! I wasn't aware that this was not an IDI engine. the MB and non-TDI VWs are also IDI and older VWs are the diesels that I have spent the most time with.

 

As long as it is "running," a little water in the fuel filter is not going to do any harm. Heck, alot of guys are injecting water directly into the intake manifold on purpose! The problem with water in the filter is that there's probably more where that came from. At some point it stops running. Just a warning, I think.

I suppose if enough water got into the IP it could hydrlock and do some engine damage. Water doesn't compress very well, so don't know what would happen to it if it was being directly injected vice vaporizing in the intake manifold and burning. But I believe it would just stop running due to the filter being plugged long before that could happen. Unless maybe it happened during full throttle?

Any more dumb ideas?

 

i think there is also danger from water being a terrible lubricant, and when it gets to the IP and injectors, something locks up. I would pull over at the first gas station, rest area, et al, and drain the fuel fitler, then reprime it. If the light is still on, try the WD40 trick. This is one time WD40 is better than others.

Daniel

 

I also had the problem with teh WIF light coming on in a heavy rain and after washing the truck... packed the connector good with dielectric grease and that solved it.....