I received a mailer from Dodge with coupons for various services etc. At the top is a message titled, "Important Maint. Facts" where it indicates that in addition to my fuel filter needing to be changed every 15,000 mi., my fuel-water separator must be drained monthly??? Is this correct? if so, it was never brought to my attention by my salesperson during my walkthrough (I know, shocking). Now I understand that they aren't going to be able to cover EVERY conceivable item during that walkthrough, but this would seem to be important if it's a required monthly chore! Then my next obvious question is, can I do this myself or is it going to require bringing my truck in to my dealer monthly? $$$$? Doesn't sound right to me especially when there is NOTHING mentioned about it in the owner's manual!

Update***Digging a bit deeper, I found a section in the "User Guide" about draining the water-fuel separator only IF the warning light illuminates. And it goes into where to access it in the engine compartment. Anyway, I guess my point now is why Dodge would send out a mailer requiring this monthly when the schedule says to do it when the "idiot light" comes on...C'mon Dodge

 

I usually drain mine about every other fillup. Its real easy. Just look under the fuel filter and turn the ****.

 

Don't wait until the light comes on telling you to drain it. It's simple to do. I use another section of hose to slip over the drain hose in order to drain it into a clear coke bottle. All you do is turn the **** counter-clockwise and let it drain. Takes 5 minutes.

 

So if there is no water in the separator, then I won't have anything drain out? or can I expect a small amount of diesel in there too?

 

The fuel water seperator is just a small port on the bottom of the fuel filter. Water will settle in the bottom of the filter (if any) and when you turn the ****, it will drain out. You will get some diesel with the water, or, if no water, just straight diesel.

 

All diesels require you to periodically drain the fuel / water sep. The salesman didn't do anything wrong. Draining this is as common as putting diesel in the fuel tank instead of gas. Not being a edit, but if the salesman would have told you that, you would have been upset. The manual used to say drain w.s. at every fillup. Once agaIn, not trying to make you mad but this is a common procedure on "all" diesels.

 

i change my fuel filter every 15000 mis. never drain it and all is well

 

I going change my fuel filter everyother oil change and never bother with it otherwise. Never had a problem in my other truck with 80K. But not to big of a deal. If you leave it open to long it will drain the fuel from the filter housing.

 

So I had a chance to look under the hood this morning and saw what I believe to be the drain. First of all, I should mention that I have a 2010 6.7 litre. That being said, is it the small yellow plastic **** with about an 8" clear plastic drain tube located on the driver's side? And I assume the fuel filter is the large black cannister?

 

That would be it.

On both accords.

 

Gotta agree with this (and w/ Donald311) - I have never drained any of my diesels, and never had a problem that has anything to do with water in the fuel. That being said, I am careful to buy diesel from stations who move a lot of fuel (so they are less likely to have water in it), and I always try and keep a tank as full as possible (so I have less condensation introducing water into the fuel). On my '04 I never changed the fuel filter until 40-some thousand miles - when the lift pump went out. I asked them then if that could have caused the pump to go, and they said no and it was covered under warranty. So I don't sweat draining the separator...

 

It was because of the high failure of the external lift pumps (MOUNTED TO THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING) on the 04.5. The following year they went to the in tank lift pump. I changed the fuel filter every oil change and always used a mixture of power service and Marvel Mystery oil. Never had a problem with the lift pump. My friend who bought my truck two years ago still has no problems. This truck I will change my fuel filter every other oil change. $24.00 is cheap insurance. I also only use name brand diesel fuel.

 

The books usually states 15kmiles on the fuel filter but if you change it at the beginning of winter and the end of winter then yo will be OK. As far as draining the water from the filter, I only do it when I change the fuel filter. 125k and still going on 100% BioDiesel, Gotta love it

 

The new 6.7 diesel has 2 fuel filters one regular and one water separator filter the water separator filer is mounted on the frame and sell at the dealer for 75.00 plus tax and 75.00 to install I'm trying to find out how to change this filter.