Fuel Filter/seperator drain o-ring replacement...my first write up - Page 7 - Diesel Forum

Deezil · 12-30-2006, 01:48 AM

I too have had a leak that fit all the symptoms of the drain valve o-ring problem. I replaced the whole valve. And it was a pain to get in due to the location and the limited access. I cleaned the fuel from the V as much as possible, started the engine. I climbed back on the engine while it was running and saw the too familiar drip, drip, drip of diesel. I had wiped the cap off before starting it and it was wet again on the back side. I ran back to the Ford parts counter and purchased a fuel filter. Got back and took off the cap and found the lid gasket upside down (bevel down - what was let of the bevel that is). Installed the new filter with its new o-ring and the new lid gasket - no leaks now for about 35 miles.

Lesson learned - look before you jump. Though my drain valve o-rings were pretty flat I don't think they were the problem.

BTW - the drain valve installation took a long time and I was not really sure how tight the screws should be. Now the new valve is hard to turn (very hard). Hope I didn't screw up the new valve or shorten its life with tightening the screws too tight.
Comments welcomed.

Down South · 12-30-2006, 08:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Come Monday morning, I'll be ordering from here:

www.mcmaster.com

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice place to order from and good price. I don't have a leak problem yet but for that price I'll have plenty for me and my friends if and when we start having problems.

jlrsn · 12-30-2006, 09:26 AM

The shelf life of Viton O-Rings is 20 Years when stored in a cool, well ventilated space away from direct sunlight in the original packaging. This was asked a few times in this post. Nicely done Joe!

2000atlanticgt · 12-31-2006, 06:16 PM

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I just received mine for $5.00 & free s&h, from here http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...s_promot_widget
Came in mail quickly in a standard envelope.

[/ QUOTE ]

Several weeks back when the temps got down around 10 F I noticed mine started leaking out the drain tube and you could smell the diesel fuel in the cab. Found this sticky, ordered my O-rings from the same link above and fixed it just the other day. No more leaking. Thanks!

Sabre2th · 01-01-2007, 12:14 AM

Drain valve repair link.

ReefBlue · 01-01-2007, 08:03 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Drain valve repair link.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good directions, but when you try to zoom in on the pictures, you get nothing but a red x.

I ordered the whole valve and replaced it the other day after seeing a leak and then finding this post. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

My valve sounding like a ratcheting valve. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

Now, it opens and closes nice and smooth....and doesn't leak either.

**klhansen** · 01-03-2007, 05:40 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone happen to know what model years this repair relates to?

[/ QUOTE ]

The 94-97 drain valve uses the same o-rings as the 99+ trucks, but the valves are slightly different (only 2 mounting screws instead of 4). I posted some photos of a 94-97 drain valve in a sticky in the 94-97 Powerstroke General Forum if you're interested. http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/...-valve-130024/

Sabre2th · 01-03-2007, 06:31 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Drain valve repair link.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good directions, but when you try to zoom in on the pictures, you get nothing but a red x.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fixed the links, minor brain fart....
Tom

jlrsn · 01-04-2007, 06:58 PM

I noticed that FL_Wheel and Deezil asked above about the required torque of the Fuel Drain Retaining Screws so I did a little research of my 7.3 DIT Powerstroke Model Year Upgrade and Training Manuals and found that the required torque of the 4 Fuel Drain Retaining Screws is 20 to 25 Inch Lbs (2.3-2.8 Nm).

I replied earlier that the shelf life of the Viton O-Rings was 20 years if kept in a cool space not in direct sun light. For others that did not use Viton the following is the shelf life of seals:

Buna-N: 5 years
Neoprene: 8 years
EPDM: 10 years
Viton: 20 years

Understand that the shelf life is just that, the life of the O-Ring in storage prior to installation. The time in service depends on what the O-ring is exposed to. Some seals will shrink, others will expand, and others will deteriorate. Viton is the best choice for the Fuel Drain Valve. Good luck,
Jim

ryaneverk2 · 01-04-2007, 07:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Drain valve repair link.

[/ QUOTE ]
Nice writeup and pics, Tom. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Deezil · 01-05-2007, 12:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I too have had a leak that fit all the symptoms of the drain valve o-ring problem. I replaced the whole valve. And it was a pain to get in due to the location and the limited access. I cleaned the fuel from the V as much as possible, started the engine. I climbed back on the engine while it was running and saw the too familiar drip, drip, drip of diesel. I had wiped the cap off before starting it and it was wet again on the back side. I ran back to the Ford parts counter and purchased a fuel filter. Got back and took off the cap and found the lid gasket upside down (bevel down - what was let of the bevel that is). Installed the new filter with its new o-ring and the new lid gasket - no leaks now for about 135 miles.

Lesson learned - look before you jump. Though my drain valve o-rings were pretty flat I don't think they were the problem.

BTW - the drain valve installation took a long time and I was not really sure how tight the screws should be. Now the new valve is hard to turn (very hard). Hope I didn't screw up the new valve or shorten its life with tightening the screws too tight.
Comments welcomed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I should have added that a local repair shop "discovered" that my fuel filter cap was loose while they were replacing my water pump. They claimed that there was a big puddle of diesel on their shop floor and had to search for the souce. Of course they charged me a labor charge for tightening the cap. I had never seen a drop of diesel prior to their discovery. I wish I had challenged them on the charge.
As for the leak, I should have checked the cap and gasket first.

Stewart_H · 01-05-2007, 06:49 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Viton is the best choice for the Fuel Drain Valve. Good luck,

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm only going by the info from the web, but according to the information at the McMaster-Carr website, the PTFE O-Rings are as good, if not better, than the Viton O-Rings.

Stewart

Stewart_H · 01-05-2007, 06:57 AM

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Of course they charged me a labor charge for tightening the cap.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a bunch of BS right there! I wouldn't have paid a dime for that "job". It took them all of what, 10 seconds to grab a 3/8 ratchet and find the cap tool, and maybe another 10 seconds to tighten the cap??

Gimme a break! In my opinion, that shop isn't concerned with making money by providing excellent customer service, they just want to nickle and dime you to death, charging you for everything and anything.

That's pure crap.

Stewart

jlrsn · 01-05-2007, 03:08 PM

Stewart,
I've been working with O-ring Seals for over 50 years in the aviation and automotive profession and the compositions of materials used to manufacture O-ring seals changes with their compatibility to what they are exposed to. I have gotten into trouble many times when a wrong O-ring Seal was used and try to maintain a library of material compatibilities to keep me out of trouble.

I've been buying from McMaster-Carr since before the internet and they are an excellent source for many things but I don't always agree with some of the generic applications published.

All the materials that I have show Diesel Oil to be compatible with O-rings Seals made from Fluoroelastomer (Type 1 or A), Fluorinated Rubber, Fluorocarbon Rubber, Viton ® and Buna-N, Nitrile Rubber but not compatible with EPDM, EPR, EP Rubber Seals.

EPDM, EPR, EP Rubber Seals composed of Ethylene-propylene-diene; Ethylene-propylene have a poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids and are attacked by mineral oils, mineral solvents, and aromatic hydrocarbons. They are excellent for use with animal and vegetable oils, ozone, strong and oxidizing chemicals.

If I had to choose between Viton and Buna-N for our application I would choose Viton even though Viton has had some catastrophic failures such as the failure of the cold soaked Viton O-rings used in the Solid Rocket Booster of the Challenger Space Shuttle.

Good luck with whatever you use,
Jim

Stewart_H · 01-05-2007, 03:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Stewart,
I've been working with O-ring Seals for over 50 years in the aviation and automotive profession and the compositions of materials used to manufacture O-ring seals changes with their compatibility to what they are exposed to. I have gotten into trouble many times when a wrong O-ring Seal was used and try to maintain a library of material compatibilities to keep me out of trouble.

I've been buying from McMaster-Carr since before the internet and they are an excellent source for many things but I don't always agree with some of the generic applications published.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jim, thanks for the info.

Since I'm just a layman when it comes to O-Rings, I must rely on info gathered from the internet or other research. That's also why I qualified my response when I posted the info regarding the PTFE O-Rings.

Here is the info I was going by, taken from McMaster-Carr:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3.../O-Rings-1.jpg

Is this info incorrect? In your opinion, should I not use the PTFE O-Rings?

Stewart