I have the 6.7 and can't find the fuel filter drain thingy... The one you are supposed to drain every month, at least...

Can someone post a photo and describe the location? Feeling sorta, well...lame!

 

It should be at the bottom of the fuel filter on the side of the engine. Filter should look something like this
www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FS43252E

 

It's on the driver's side, and there should be a small clear plastic hose attached to it.

I just checked mine after about 3 tanks of fuel, and there was almost no water in the system (maybe 3-4 drops?) so I won't be checking it very often, maybe once every 3K-5K miles. There is also an idiot light on the dash when it gets full, I believe.

 

Where do you access the valve? From under the truck or inside the engine bay?

 

There is a yellow handle and you just spin it to the side and the fuel starts draining. Spin it back when you are done draining the fuel out.....

 

On the 6.7L it is no longer a yellow lever. If you look at the pic in the link above you will see a round handle (grey) that you turn counterclockwise. I have changed my fuel filter 3 times and each time I try to drain the filter nothing comes out of the hose until you practically screw the handle off the threads. Then the fuel starts coming out from around the threads instead of down the clear plastic hose and all over the place - what a mess. The last time I found that if I open the handle and then break loose the filter about a 1/2 turn, the fuel will then come out of the hose. I wouldn't do this unless you're actually going to change the filter. I wouldn't want to partially loosen the filter and then screw it back on, but that's just me. Oh, all of this is done from the side of the truck, wheel & fender well off. My arms can't reach up high enough, nor can I get my hands in there from either above or under the truck. Taking the wheel and fender well off is the DC procedure.

 

Where did you hear that it's supposed to be drained monthly? I'm on my third Dodge diesel in 10 years & have never drained 'em except when I'm changing it. There is a warning light that tells you that you've got water in your filter. When that lights up, then I'd drain it.

 

I heard it from the dealer and its also in the owner's manual. Don't have it now and the truck is at home, so I can't give you a page reference. Not sure if its only the 6.7.
Long story, but I have a 5.9 manual also... On page 392, left side, bottom paragraph it states, "Drain a small amount from the fuel/water separator filter periodically or when the WATER IN FUEL indicator lamp is on.

Perhaps I only need to do it when the "idiot" light comes on?

 

With diesel as high in price as it is, I'd not waste a drop. I've never seen my water in fuel warning light up except on initial start when all of 'em light up. I don't do it "periodicly". Whether you do or not is your call.

 

This is exactly what happened to me. If I turn the handle that the hose is attached to it just unscrews from the bottom of the filter housing and nothing comes out of the hose. I haven't pulled the filter off to change it yet, must be something wrong with that drain valve.

 

The only way I can get anything to come out of the hose is to loosen the filter itself about a 1/2 turn. But as I said earlier, I wouldn't do that unless I'm changing the filter anyway. Kinda messy to try & remove the filter while it is still full, the way ya gotta twist it around everything to get it out. I've changed out 3 filters already, the original one & 2 from Geno's - they all did the same thing so I don't know if there is actually something wrong with the drain valve other than a bad design??

 

Hmm
Has anyone ever though of simply cracking the valve open while your engine is idling? Works every time because the pump is running, just don’t open it so far as to starve your pump and kill your engine. Quick an E-Z thing to do. Heck I've even gotten someone 5 gals out of my truck this way when they ran out on the roadside with mine wide open. As long as your engine is running so will your lift pump. When it's 40+ miles to a station it's allot quicker then driving to one and back.

Mark

 

I havent read that you are supose to drain it every month but i have heard you need to change it
OFTEN
but the chrycsler filter is like less the 10 buck!! and it comes with that plastic housing and everything

 

Sounds like they made draining water from the filter even more difficult in the '07.
My '06 owners manual says to drain the water at every fuel fillup.

I try to check it fairly often but that's ridiculous. I have yet to find more than a drop of water in it. I suspect humidity levels in the area have a lot to do with how much condensation develops in a fuel tank.

Dan

 

Are you #$%^& kidding me?

Yes, the owners manual says to do this monthly, and so I downloaded DTR's (very nice) photo instructions. Only later did I learn that these were for the 5.9L - oh well its about the same. I approached this job from the bottom and it wasn't terrible, EXCEPT for the fuel spilling all over the #$^&% place problem which I completely agree happens. That drain valve is as useful as a limp dick.
I highly suggest that upon first fuel filter change we come up with some kind of mod to make this less painful. Can you imagine taking the wheel and fender well off every month? That's just bull...

And someone riddle me this - why is the 6.7L fuel filter 11$ more than the #$%^& 5.9L at Genos? Jesus H. Christ!!