How often should I drain the water/fuel separator?

[muhoo]

I've got a 1998 E350, and the Water in Fuel light hasn't come on for over a year now, even though we've had the wettest winter in 10 years. The lamp works because it lights during the indicator check when I first start the engine. But that's it.

I finally drained the fuel/water separator last week, just to see what's going on, and it didn't look like there was any water in there, just fuel.

Should I drain it even if the indicator isn't coming on? How often?

And how would I test that the WIF sensor is working properly?

Thanks.

[mike3026]

Originally Posted by muhoo

I've got a 1998 E350, and the Water in Fuel light hasn't come on for over a year now, even though we've had the wettest winter in 10 years. The lamp works because it lights during the indicator check when I first start the engine. But that's it.

I finally drained the fuel/water separator last week, just to see what's going on, and it didn't look like there was any water in there, just fuel.

Should I drain it even if the indicator isn't coming on? How often?

And how would I test that the WIF sensor is working properly?

Thanks.

The sensor is attached to the fuel bowl. I have the Ford Factory CD that has every test you can think of on it. I am at work so I can't get to it at the moment. Later on I can copy the info for you. In my opinion, I don't care about that sensor because as long as you drain the fuel bowl of water every oil change (3000 miles) you should be pretty safe. Unless you buy really Sh**ty fuel. Also, if you all of a sudden decide to use biodiesel in any grade )B5, B20, B50, etc... you should change the fuel filter right away as well as drain it, because I hear it cleans your system out and the filter catches all the crud it cleans.

Anyways, I'll post that testing procedure if I remember tonight.

[96F350KID]

Ford recommended oil change 5,000

Fuel filter change 7,500

fuel bowl drain every time you replace the filter

[muhoo]

@mike3026: Thanks, I'd like to see that service procedure for the sensor if you can find it. I have the service manual and didn't see anything about checking the sensor.

[muhoo]

Wow, dieselmann's page says to drain the fuel/water separator every MONTH, and more often in wet weather! Seems like a lot. But the guy worked on 7.3L Navistars for 12 years, so I guess he knows. I hope I didn't mess anything up after not draining it for a year. Still don't know why the WIF light isn't coming on.

[White95f250]

I drained mine the other day then went to drive it and after a mile it started to have a miss. Possible air in fuel?

But on the subject my light has come on more often since it's been so hot.