6.4L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 6.4L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 2008-Up Super Duty trucks. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 6.4L Power Stroke engine.
The first two times I drained the fuel filter to check for water, there was so little water coming out I decided to wait several months before checking again.
I opened up the valve to drain a bit into a container and noticed that the fuel only dribbled out. Granted it has been awhile since I did drain the filter, but it seemed like it flowed faster back then.
Can someone advise how fast the fuel should be flowing out the filter when checking for water? Should I try poking a toothpick up in the fitting to free up a blockage or just take it to the dealer??
I would investigate. Something sounds amiss. I drain my seperator once a month, using a Ball mason jar. Drain out about 8 ounces, it comes out quick. I would not stick a tooth pick up there but instead use something like .032" safety wire, don't push far if you choose to do this. If you have something large enough or enough mass to slow the flow of the drian, I would bet the filters are very dirty, too.
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IMHO:
Fuel+water+dirt=sludge. Even if you take the dirt out of the equation, I would venture to guess that sludge can build up. Now, the drain should be the lowest point to collect the water, so sludge (the product noted above) probably settles in the same place.
I don't KNOW the answer, but it seems that more frequent draining is a preventive measure. I NOW plan on doing mine monthly, and even using a REAL clean container so I can put any uncontaminated fuel back in the tank or in my diesel tractor. This stuff is too expensive to throw away!...Regards and thanks for the info!...Joe
Last edited by yukondiesel; 07-17-2008 at 01:45 PM.
Reason: typo
The first two times I drained the fuel filter to check for water, there was so little water coming out I decided to wait several months before checking again.
Drain it monthly. All it takes is just a little. Water and BS comes out first so there is no need to drain a lot. With the new lever it makes for an easy operation. Drain just a bit and if you need to do more, have at it. You hear all these stories about people filling up a big bottle etc. No need for that, especially with todays fuel prices.
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Thought I'd update you on the fuel filter drainage issue. Took it into the shop and they replaced the cover plate...the lever/valve was 'hanging up'. New plate and it drains just like used to.
Ford calls for a fuel filter change (upper and lower) every 26,xxx kms. This seems a little over the top to me, I waited until 50k to do mine. As for the water separator, I would say it trickles out, definately not a fast flow.
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Open my valved today for the first time and only got drops and slow at that, seems to be all fuel though. 9000 miles. Think I will have the shop look at it.
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