Being a Noobie to diesels, I have been reading the owners manual. Draining the water form the fuel filter seems a necessary operation. I have tried twice and nothing seems to drain out?

 

You may need to move the lever back and forth several times to get fluid to come out.

 

so will fluid come out all times or only when water is in the seperator? i guess my question is this, is it possible for only diesel fuel to come out if there is no water?<br><br>thanks

 

I was wondering the same thing, if there is no water should clean diesel come out?

 

Yes, the lever will open the drain and whatever is in the filter housing will drain out. You should only have to drain a few ounces unless water is discovered in the fuel.
To check for water, catch the fluid in a clear container.

BTW I only check mine maybe once a month.

 

I check mine, ummmm, never! ;D I dumped it all when I changed the filter around 7K. ;D <br><br>Tony

 

Also, if you drain a lot of fuel out you can lose the prime. No problem though, just follow the procedures for priming the fuel system (see posts on changing the fuel filter). First time I did this and lost the prime I thought I had really messed up. :'( But that was before I found DTR and all the good help here. Welcome to the site. 8)

CR

 

I've tried mine 3 or 4 times and nothing ever came out.<br><br>Then the helpful folk here said to either <br><br>open the drain, then bump the starter or<br>loosen the top of the filter housing to break the vaccuum(sp)<br><br>Also, to drain it into a clear bottle, let it sit for a bit to let any water seperate from the fuel (fuel will float on water).<br><br>Miketriton: fill out your profile so we can tell what truck you have.<br><br>phox

 

Buy your fuel from a good supplier that has a big turnover such as truck stops Etc. If your buying good fuel you shouldn't have any water, I have never gotten any out of mine. I would not drain it too often I have heard of them sticking open and not being able to shut off the fuel leaking, not good. ???

 

I Heard You Should Only Drain It If The Warning Light Comes On Then I Also Heard Weekly Monthly So Who Know What?

 

there is a WIF sensor in the FF housing, yes, but I suggest drain a bit of fuel twice a month at least (better at each fuel fill up), its an easy and fast thing. your water in fuel sensor may be not functioning.. remove and clean the housing with an air gun if fuel doesnt come out of the drain valve..

rob

 

My drain is really sticky, sometimes I have to open and close it and wiggle it back and forth 3 or 4 times before anything comes out. Then I have to push it down and wiggle it so stops. I put some wd40 on the whole mechanism, its still sticky, but not nearly as much. The only time I check now is when I change the filter twice a year.

Just buy your fuel from a truck stop that has a large turnover of fuel.

 

i only drain mine when changeing the fuel filter...but if u read your owners manuel it does say to drain it every fuel fill...i dont know anyone that does this. If water is a prob in your area then more often is best. if u are opening the drain valve and nothing comes out then either your doing it wrong, or theres something wrong with your drain valve which is no biggee. everytime u open the drain something should come out of it..

 

I drain mine periodically without problems. Switch the ignition to get the 30 second prime to build up fuel pressure and drain. Never lost prime. I've even done it while engine was running w/o problems, though this probably mixes things up in the fuel filter so your not getting all the stuff that is normally on the bottom. I've never had problems.

 

I drained mine a little once or twice. I have not since. I have an FP gauge plumbed between the IP & FF. I have not had any presurre drop, other than when the ***Carter died. So, I seldom change fuel filters, maybe 10-15k.
I run Power service all the time, so maybe this helps. I never drain my seperator, have not had a water light come on, never had a problem, knock on wood.
This is one area the owners manuel seems to be WAY overzealous. I am sure if you got some bad fuel, things could chaage in a hurry. I run 2 stroke oil too, not sure if that may help, other than with the IP, injectors, LP.