Can someone tell me if the water drain valve on the fuel filter is supposed to drain water and fuel, or just water? the reason i am asking is when I first got the truck I could not get anything to come out, now I get at least a cup full everytime I open it.

 

It will drain both water and fuel if they there, and if you leave it open it will drain the entire filter canister. It just a valve at the bottom of the fuel filter to allow water to escape. I only crack it open and examine what comes out in a clear glass container. I've never had water in the fuel. What I mean is (there is always water suspended in the fuel) I have never had seperated water in the fuel canister.

Please fill out your signature so we know what truck you have, and what mods you have done.

What year is your truck??

 

How often should you drain?

 

Every other tank, for about 2 seconds is all. Don't just dump it on the pavement either, give's diesels a bad name. I extended the tube so I can put it in a glass container and look to see if I have a problem.

 

how do you know when you have a problem

 

Had my truck in the dealership today for some scheduled maintenace and asked to be shown just how to do the water drain thing.

Service guy showed me the yellow handle to move in order to drain from the filter housing but added that he would advise against doing the drain myself and only have it done by an experienced tech every 7500k when the filter is changed.


Said if done by myself and the truck "vaporlocks", it is an automatic tow job to the shop and an $1100.00 dollar fix to get it going again.

Kind of shook me up to hear this, so whats up with this ?

 

Its crap. I have 160K miles on mine and never had a problem. Tell that servicxe guy he is wrong and I would never go there again. Its these kind of "know it alls" that will just take your money. $1,100 for what? Priming the fuel system?

 

If you have water in the fuel you will see it in the bottom. You will see water that has seperated from the fuel. If you really want to know what it looks like add water! If you let it sit you may see a lighter color on the bottom of the fuel. That is suspended water in the fuel. Better add some Power Service diesel fuel additive to make sure it stays suspended. It helps water pass on through.

Do a search on this site.

 

Rico: tell the wacked tech it is not April 1st yet.

 

I also want to know what the $1100 is for?

 

That's hilarious!! A 2l pop bottle on the axle, open the valve and inspect the contents. I have no idea where the $1100 comes from, he's either totally incompetant or dishonest, not sure which is worse. Check your owners manual they give clear instructions on priming the system after a filter change, it's the same after a drain.

 

Seriously, opening the filter housing drain for a few seconds is routine maintance of the fuel system. It is there for this reason.

 

Water is heavier than diesel, it will sink to the bottom of the canister. Drain a sample 1st part of the morning (before inserting the key to power he lift pump) into a clear glass and let it sit for a day then look down into the glass and you will see what looks like little clear glass beads, that would be the water you drained out.