I went to drain my fuel filter on my 05 last night and nothing came out? Well, maybe 1 or 2 drops, but next to nothing. Is there something I'm missing?

I used the yellow lever on the fuel filter, rotated it counter-clockwise as far as I could. My only guess is that I hadn't driven the truck in over 24 hours, so maybe there wasn't fuel in there? This is my first diesel automobile, so I don't know what to expect.

 

This seems to be pretty normal. The only time I open my valve is when I change the filter. Only a little comes out until the cap is loosened allowing air in the system. I haven't tried it but it you turn the key on with the valve open your lift pump should force fuel out! If you turn your key on and then back off before you open the valve there may be some residual pressure allowing more to come out. Just a thought.

 

bump the starter and the pump will stay on for I think 20 seconds.

 

How often do most guys drain it? Just when the indicator light comes on or do you have a routine of draining it every ....so many miles?

-daniel

 

If you are getting fuel from a reliable place then you may not ever have to drain it except when you change the filter. If I think about it I may crack mine open every 1 to 2 months

 

I open mine every tank for a few seconds.Have on last three trucks.

 

I am with supergrewl. I only open the valve when changing the filter.

 

I have a buddy that has a 04 ps. he told me he has to climb under the truck to drain his. he has to take a plug out.

 

Yep, and the ps's have two fuel filters to change. One on the engine and one on the frame. Lots of ps owner's aren't aware of the one on the frame.

 

never open mine until i get ready to change the fuel filter. this is my 2nd cummins and i have never had any problems yet.

britt

 

I've owned a 2000 got rid of that for the 2004 and have never drained them unless the light would come on, which it never has done { must be good fuel}

 

Use to have MANY come into the shop with light on and others full of water and alge with no light.My New Holland tractor has a clear sight glass.Can after a period of time always see minor water and grit in bottom of it and it gets cleaned every 50 hours and new filter every 100.I will continue to drain my truck a little every time I fill.My first filter I changed at 15k and it looked pretty good.I read about all the black stuff and crud lots found on their original fuel filter some at half that mileage.I wonder if draining it every fill up had anything to do with mine looking pretty good?

 

I drain mine about every 3 to 4 tanks of fuel.

 

In fact the reason it and others have a fairly easy to drain system is to drain ever now and then.I was always under the impression diesel fuel inherently had mosture in it.

 

Guys better read your owners manual. Says to empty at every fuel stop. Believe one of our fellow truckers on here posted a comment how he got water in there and they wanted to void his warranty because he did not do that on a regular basis like what is required in the owners manual. The number 1 way to cut down on warranty cost is to void them and they go through great lengths to do that so just make sure you CYA.

Also the filter housing has 2 things in it. A filter and fuel, you should be getting way more than a couple drops when you drain it. Should be like 1/2 cup or so, if not better see dealer. I know when I look at my clear tube coming out it only looks like a little, but when i look on the ground after there is alot there.