Caution: Diesel fuel containing water is still flammable. You could be burned. If you ever try to drain water from your 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 your fuel tank along with your 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 light, if equipped, will come on in the instrument panel. If it does, the water must be drained. Your dealer 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 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 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.
To drain water, do the following:
If the water-in-fuel light 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 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. |
If one or more of the above occurred, 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.
To prime the engine, do the following: