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Draining the fuel water separator

37K views 32 replies 22 participants last post by  Mr_Andy 
#1 ·
When I drain my fuel water separator it just drops about a drop a second with absolutely no water in it.
I have read about people saying you may have to remove it and clean it that crud may build up inside.
How does everyone elses drain? Does it stream out? Is it ever a noticeable amount of water?
Ford just replaced the filters about 5,000 miles ago.
Now my light is coming on and I am starting to wonder if it's the sensor or if it's trapped in there.
Thanks for the help.
 
#2 ·
It seems that we cant get a definite answer as in how the water seperator is supposed to drain.. Mine always drained by dripping slowly maybe 6 drips ever 30-45 sec. along with others, then others say theirs streams out and doesnt stop till they turn it off, etc
 
#5 ·
Most likely its gunked up in there. You can try turning the key on with the valve open to force what is blocking it out. I took the pump off my brother in laws truck to clean it. His WIF light was on and it would not drain. It was ridiculous how much crap was built up in there.
 
#7 ·
Near 40k I think. Ford wanted to charge him for a new pump because the sensor was bad. A good cleaning, a new 30 dollar gasket, and 30 dollar sensor and he was back going. If you are going to take the cover off to clean it I would suggest to go ahead and buy the gasket that goes behind it, Its not that much and would save some time if yours has stretched.
 
#11 ·
I openned the valve and then cycled the key and got some white gooey dirt filled #### out.
Though I got it all but went driving and the light came on again. Unless i got a bad tank of gas I find it hard to believe theres that much stuff in just 4k miles. In the past it always dripped and got nothing. The cycling of the key seemed to help. It was odd, when the key was on nothing would come out at all but after turning it back off then it would start to get a steady stream out.
I think I am going to pull the cover and see what's in there.
 
#14 ·
I posted this in my thread but you can get a replacement lever and cover through ford . Mine was $36 Ford part #8C3Z-9A214-B
 
#16 ·
Mines a good stream and fills a 20oz pop bottle almost perfectly everytime then stops
 
#17 ·
My light has been coming on and I have drained it a couple of times. The first time I didn't know what I was doing so I don't count that one. Last night I did it and it streamed for about 1 second and then started dripping. I let it drip for about 7-8 minutes. It would still drip but I just closed the valve. Today the light came back on. Should I let it drip until it stops? I have seen some people say that let it drain overnight and some say 10-20 seconds. I don't have any idea. I know I may need to replace the sensor and/or clean the inside. Can someone tell me how to take it apart to clean it. Can I disconnect the lines that are running to it or do I just need to take the cover off and clean it with it still on the truck? Sorry but this is my first Ford and just trying to stay proactive so it lasts.
 
#20 ·
Hmm mines never poured out as a stream always drips and I change my filters every 10k. Maybe next time get under there I'll open the valve and turn the key on. But then again I've never had my water light come on either. 36k on the truck now
 
#23 ·
i have never had a light come on before and i now have 48K on the truck. like i had said in an eairlier post, my fuel just pours out until i close the valve. the valve is very easy to open and close and should not be difficult at all. i changed my filter every 10K and have never had a problem so far...knock on wood
 
#25 ·
I've never had water and mine drains at a full steady stream of diesel.
 
#26 ·
I tried to drain mine and the light wasnt on either, just since I read this thread. All I got this time was a few drips. When the light actually came on it poured out all over the place. Since then I have been using Cetane boost from Ford and the light hasnt been on since.
 
#27 ·
i got a bad tank of diesel, ended up taken the tank out i thought their might be crap in it like what came out of the drain.
It was a waste of time taken it out it was clean as could be in there.
The tank of suppose to be diesel was more water then anything else.
When i drained the filter houseing this white looking goop came out.
I think i going to get the gasket and just clean the crap out of everything to be on the safe side./
 
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