If the WATER IN FUEL message comes on, use this chart.

Notice: Driving when this warning indicator is on, can damage the fuel injection system and the engine. If the indicator comes on right after a refuel, it means water was pumped into the fuel tank. Turn off the engine immediately. Then, have the water drained at once.

Hard starting, hesitation or flat performance at high speed or during hard acceleration may be an indication of premature fuel filter plugging due to dirty or contaminated fuel. The filter element may need to be changed if this happens. See "Fuel Filter Replacement" later in this section.

To drain water, do the following:

1. Stop and park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off the engine and apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the fuel cap.
3. Place a fuel-resistant container under the fuel filter. The filter drain valve is located in the engine, on the passenger's side of the vehicle, on the bottom of the fuel filter.



4. Open the drain valve by turning two to three turns. When fuel empties from the valve, all the water has been drained. Close the valve hand tight.

To help remove all the water, press the priming pump several times.

5. Remove the fuel-resistant container and properly dispose of the contaminated fuel. To find out how to properly dispose of contaminated diesel fuel, see "What to Do With Used Oil" under Engine Oil .
6. Install the fuel cap.
7. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. If the engine stalls, the fuel system may need to be primed. While draining the water from the fuel filter, air may enter the fuel system. If air has entered the fuel system the fuel system will need to be primed.

If the WATER IN FUEL message comes on again after driving a short distance or the engine runs rough or stalls, a large amount of water has probably been pumped into the fuel tank. The fuel tank should be purged.

In order for the fuel system to work properly, the fuel lines must be full of fuel and contain no air. If air gets into the fuel lines, it will be necessary to prime the fuel lines, to eliminate air before operating the vehicle.

Question:

How does air get into the fuel lines?

Answer:

One of the following may have happened:

If one or more of the above occur, it is very likely that air has entered your fuel system and that you will need to prime the fuel system before operating the vehicle. Air in the fuel lines will not harm the engine or the vehicle.

However, the engine may not be able to start until the fuel system is primed and the air is removed.

Question:

How do I prime the vehicle?

Answer:

Your vehicle is equipped with a priming pump which is part of the engine mounted fuel filter. The priming pump is hand operated and is designed to bring fuel to the engine to eliminate any air that may be in the fuel lines. To prime the engine, do the following:

1. You must correct the condition which caused the loss of prime by making sure there is fuel in the tank.
2. Make sure the fuel filter has been installed and properly tightened.
3. Make sure the fuel lines are properly connected and the fuel filter is cool enough to touch.
4. Remove any dirt from the fuel filter head and vent valve by wiping with a cloth.



5. Open the fuel filter vent valve by turning the screw counterclockwise several full turns. The vent valve is located on top of the fuel filter housing.



6. Repeatedly push down on the fuel filter priming pump with the palm of your hand. The pump is located on top of the fuel filter housing. Let the pump return upward between pushes.
7. Operate the priming pump until a small amount of fuel seeps from the vent valve. When you see the fuel, the filter is now full of fuel and the system should be primed.
8. Close the vent valve. Clean any fuel which accumulated on the fuel filter. Start the engine and let idle for a few minutes. Check the filter for leaks.