Caution: Diesel fuel containing water is still flammable. You could be burned. If you ever try to drain water from the fuel, keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from the mixture.
Notice: If there is water in the diesel fuel and the weather is warm or humid, fungus and bacteria can grow in the fuel. They can damage the fuel system. A diesel fuel biocide can be used to sterilize the fuel system. However, the fuel system may still need to be cleaned. Your dealer/retailer can advise you of the appropriate solution.
If the fuel tank needs to be purged to remove water, see your dealer/retailer or a qualified technician. Improper purging can damage the fuel system.Sometimes, water can be pumped into the fuel tank along with the diesel fuel. This can happen if a service station does not regularly inspect and clean its fuel tanks, or if it gets contaminated fuel from its suppliers.
If this happens, a water-in-fuel indicator light comes on in the instrument panel. If it does, the water must be drained.
Your dealer/retailer can show you how to do this.
If the light comes on, use this chart to determine what action to take.
Problem | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
Light comes on intermittently. | Drain water from the fuel filter. |
Light stays on at temperatures above freezing. | Drain the fuel filter immediately. If no water can be drained and the light stays on, see your dealer/retailer for assistance. |
Light stays on at temperatures below freezing. | Drain the fuel filter immediately. If no water can be drained, water may be frozen in the water drain system, or in the fuel lines. Move the vehicle to a warm location to thaw out, and then drain the filter system. |
Light stays on immediately after refueling, and a large amount of water was possibly pumped into the fuel tank. | Fuel tank purging is required. See your dealer/retailer for assistance. |
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.
The frequency of water draining or element replacement is determined by the contamination level in the fuel. Inspect or service the collection bowl for water daily and replace the element as shown in the Maintenance Schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance for change interval information.
To drain water, do the following:
-
Loosen the self-venting drain to empty the bowl of water.
- Tighten the drain. Run the engine and check for leaks.
To replace the element, do the following:
- Disconnect the element electrical connector from the bowl.
- Loosen the self-venting drain to empty the bowl of water.
- Remove the filter element from the mounting head with the bowl connected.
- Remove the bowl from the filter element. Clean the bowl and the O-ring gland and save them for re-use.
- Lubricate the O-ring with clean diesel fuel or motor oil and place it in the bowl gland.
- Spin the bowl onto the new filter element snugly by hand. Do not use tools to tighten them together.
- Lubricate the filter top seal with clean diesel fuel or motor oil.
- Fill the filter element/bowl assembly with clean diesel fuel and attach it onto the mounting head. Hand tighten an additional one-third to one-half turn after full seal contact is made.
- Complete the priming procedure. See "Fuel Priming."
- Start the engine and check that there are no leaks.
If the water-in-fuel light comes on again after driving a short distance or if 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.
Fuel Priming
In order for the diesel engine 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.
Air can get into the fuel lines if any of the following happen:
| • | The vehicle runs out of fuel. |
| • | The fuel filter is removed for servicing or replacement. |
| • | The fuel lines are removed or disconnected for servicing. |
| • | The fuel filter water drain valve is opened while the engine is running. |
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.
For vehicles with cruise control, you can prime the vehicle and remove the air from the fuel system. The following procedure shows how:
- Make sure there is fuel in the fuel tank.
- Make sure the specified fuel filter is properly installed.
- Make sure the fuel lines are securely connected.
- Make sure the fuel filter is cool to the touch.
- Use a clean cloth to remove dirt and oil from the fuel filter head and breather valve.
- Use the palm of your hand to repeatedly press and release the plunger at the top of the fuel filter priming pump. Continue until the plunger resistance becomes firm. This may take from 20 to 100 times, depending upon fuel tank location.
- Turn the fuel filter breather valve screw left (counterclockwise) several turns to open the breather valve.
- Use the palm of your hand to repeatedly press and release the plunger at the top of the fuel filter priming pump until fuel begins to seep from the breather valve.
- Tighten the fuel filter breather screw to the specified torque, 4.9 N·m (43 in. lbs).
- Use the palm of your hand to press and release the plunger at the top of the fuel filter priming pump about 20 more times. This sends fuel to the engine.
- Use a clean cloth to remove any fuel from the fuel filter and surrounding area.
- Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few minutes.
- Check the fuel filter for leakage.
