WATER IN FUEL - Diesel Forum

HWM38 · 11-13-2007, 05:21 PM

I HAD MY WARNING LIGHT COME ON FOR WATER IN THE FUEL. I DRAINED IT & SURE ENOUGH HAD SOME WATER ( MAYBE ABOUT 3/4" HIGH IN A STANDARD DRINKING WATER BOTTLE.) I WAITED THREE WEEKS & DRAINED IT TODAY--NO WARNING LIGHT & HAD ABOUT HALF OF THAT AMOUNT. I HAVE MOSTLY FILLED UP AT VALERO. I DID RUN MY TANK DOWN TO ABOUT 3 OR 4 GALLONS LEFT. MAYBE I HAVE WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I HAVE 6,000 MILES. IS THIS COMMON? THE TRUCK HAS BEEN GOOD SO FAR. I DO HAVE A NOISE WHEN I TAKE OFF PRIOR TO THE TURBO SPOOLING UP(A LOW PITCH MOTOR GURGLING TYPE NOISE). THANKS IN ADVANCE.

Huminie · 11-13-2007, 06:20 PM

As far as I know this is normal. You should proactively drain on a monthly basis to avoid any issues.

Texrob1 · 11-13-2007, 06:54 PM

I am not sure if the 6.4L has a bigger water seperator than my 6.0L,but I hardly get more than a few drops of water when I drain mine every month,I also fill up at Valero most of the time,you may have just got a tank that had more water than normal.

Ray324 · 11-13-2007, 08:16 PM

ALL DEPENDS on were you get your fuel from. There is a couple places here where I will not get fuel from due the the large amount of water I got in the fuel.

You can get ****ty fuel anywhere.

LAJones · 11-14-2007, 02:28 AM

I have roughly 4000 miles and have not drained my seperator yet. I was really curious as to why I should drain it if the light is not on. Maybe I should check to see if there is any water. I have purchased from 4 different stations across Texas. I try to buy from the same stations when possible. I figure with the extra distillation for removing the sulfur, we should not see very much water in our fuel, unless the tanks are leaking at the station.

krieghoff · 11-14-2007, 08:27 AM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LAJones</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have roughly 4000 miles and have not drained my seperator yet. I was really curious as to why I should drain it if the light is not on. Maybe I should check to see if there is any water. I have purchased from 4 different stations across Texas. I try to buy from the same stations when possible. I figure with the extra distillation for removing the sulfur, we should not see very much water in our fuel, unless the tanks are leaking at the station. </div></div>

LA I would get into the habit of draining the HFCM at least once a month to avoid any issues with water although that unit holds about 100 cc of water, which is quite a bit. Now folks need to get used to the fact that where you find diesel, you are going to find water. It’s just the way it is. It’s not a matter of “does this retailer have water in his tank or not”, just how much. We have a 10,000-gallon on site tank and a monitor system for water. You would be surprised how often that system goes off.

When a retailer’s tank is low and he gets an 8,000-gallon drop, it’s going to stir things up a bit inside that tank. That water is going into suspension and will stay there for a while. Now, the transport leaves and a few minutes later you come in and take on a tank of fuel. Guess what, that water is now yours!! Through time, it will settle out in your HFCM where it waits to be drained. Though it pays to be particular where one buys fuel, and believe me I am, the fact is we are all at some point picking up a bit of water. So draining that unit on a regular basis can help eliminate any future water related issues.

Dieselgem · 11-14-2007, 11:54 AM

My truck was rebuilt as a result of bad fuel. This was not from normal fueling but from an accident of water and mud getting into the fuel. After going through the ordeal and seeing the weakness of the filters, I drain mine once a month. It does not take long and it is worth the peace of mind.

afacey · 11-21-2007, 02:36 PM

I really think it's BS that a consumer should have to drain it once a month. We shouldn't have to do anything once a month related to maintenance. The amount of technology put into these trucks, they should have come up with a better option. What is the average guy to do with this water/diesel mixture once a month? You surely can't drain it on your driveway - it leaves a nasty diesel spot that won't wash away. I guess we have to crawl under the truck (better be in old clothes) once a month & fill up a water bottle and throw it in the landfill...

BTW, The duramax doesn't require this on a monthly basis..

tjsulli790 · 11-21-2007, 02:51 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mxvet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really think it's BS that a consumer should have to drain it once a month. We shouldn't have to do anything once a month related to maintenance. The amount of technology put into these trucks, they should have come up with a better option. What is the average guy to do with this water/diesel mixture once a month? You surely can't drain it on your driveway - it leaves a nasty diesel spot that won't wash away. I guess we have to crawl under the truck (better be in old clothes) once a month & fill up a water bottle and throw it in the landfill...

BTW, The duramax doesn't require this on a monthly basis.. </div></div>

It's preventative maintenance for bad fuel, nothing to do with the truck. If you put rotten or water ridden fuel in any truck (yes, even the duramax) it's going to have problems.

loft306 · 11-21-2007, 02:52 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mxvet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really think it's BS that a consumer should have to drain it once a month. We shouldn't have to do anything once a month related to maintenance. The amount of technology put into these trucks, they should have come up with a better option. What is the average guy to do with this water/diesel mixture once a month? You surely can't drain it on your driveway - it leaves a nasty diesel spot that won't wash away. I guess we have to crawl under the truck (better be in old clothes) once a month & fill up a water bottle and throw it in the landfill...

BTW, The duramax doesn't require this on a monthly basis.. </div></div>
lol... put a hose on the nipple stick it in a clear bottle reach under flip the valve for a moment or two, close it, check the bottle and if there is water at the bottom you may want to do it again till you only get fuel, then pour off the majority fuel and put that back in the tank and discard the water and a bit of fuel, not hard and it is not required on a monthly basis just when the fuel in water light comes on....but doing it monthly is just a good practice.

Now that being said there are aftermarket additives that can encapsulate the water in the fuel and let it pass through the injectors with no ill effect, but i dont know if they are compatable with thease new engins/injectors as of yet. But that being said if you get a real bad batch of fuel your still SOL.

OMCUSNR · 11-21-2007, 05:31 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now that being said there are aftermarket additives that can encapsulate the water in the fuel and let it pass through the injectors with no ill effect, but i dont know if they are compatable with thease new engins/injectors as of yet </div></div>

They are NOT compatable with a high pressure injection system at all. You don't want ANY water near the injectors (includes the 6.0)

At the pressures and temperatures that these injectors use, any water will flash into high pressure steam - one of the most corrosive things known to man.

Do NOT use any treatment that contains alcohol.

Ray324 · 11-21-2007, 06:05 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: texrob1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am not sure if the 6.4L has a bigger water seperator than my 6.0L,but I hardly get more than a few drops of water when I drain mine every month. </div></div>

It is the same filter on the frame rail.

ketchum · 11-21-2007, 08:21 PM

Its a diesel thing.Diesel fuel collects moisture.Catch it in a small pan or when you visit inlaws that have a asphalt drive way and drain it there.

loft306 · 11-21-2007, 10:59 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OMCUSNR_RET</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now that being said there are aftermarket additives that can encapsulate the water in the fuel and let it pass through the injectors with no ill effect, but i dont know if they are compatable with thease new engins/injectors as of yet </div></div>

They are NOT compatable with a high pressure injection system at all. You don't want ANY water near the injectors (includes the 6.0)

At the pressures and temperatures that these injectors use, any water will flash into high pressure steam - one of the most corrosive things known to man.

Do NOT use any treatment that contains alcohol. </div></div>I knew there was something that was preventing them from being used and now i geuss i know it it taboo...and wont be using them in a modern diesel. thnx

OMCUSNR · 11-22-2007, 12:53 PM

I remember shortly after getting my 03, talking with a guy at the store that had an older Dodge. He told me to put a pint of rubbing alcohol and a quart of ATF in it every once in a while. Great for the engine, he told me.

Fortunately I'd read the diesel supplement, and took his advice with skepticisim. It was a bit later I figured out why Ford said no alcohol - when I started looking at the pressures involved at the injectors. In an older IDI type, pressures got nowhere near what we're using now, and its possible that miscible water there wouldn't hurt. Now though, even tiny amounts can tear an injector tip apart in short order.

After the Navy's PMS training, I don't find checking the HFCM once a month onerous at all. Yeah, its in a spot thats a bit tough to get at, but its also well protected for damage there.

OMC