How often to drain water from the diesel fuel system?

[al1231234]

It`s my second day with my new triton, mitsubishi mechanic recomended me to drain water from diesel filter every week or sooner, how often do you drain your diesel filters? and; is it a good idea to wait until warning ligth shows?

[amalinze]

Did they??? whoops. No one mentioned that... I was just waiting for the light, or expected it done at the 7500 services.

[subi_man]

I\ve never drained mine in 70,000km, just had the filter changed at the normal intervals

[snowman]

every week or sooner!!

geez where are you getting your diesel from - a swimming pool?

on very rare occasions service stations can sell fuel with water (happened to my old man once, the water flooded in through the ground level tank fill at the servo - but they repaired his car at their cost).

generally this should not be a problem. outback travellers who rely on fuel drum drops sometimes say water can get in and you would keep a close eye on your fuel quality in these circumstances.

That is how large quantities of water will get in. if this occurs even a weekly check wont be enough as if it draws it from the tank it will happen fast. i was not aware of a light on the dash but if it does come on don't waster too much time thinking about stopping the engine! (now going to read manual on this symbol thanks)

as fuel is used in normal driving the air replacing it naturally has water vapour in it but in very minor quantities. also as a tank naturally expands or contracts with temp changes this occurs but i dont think the quantities are anything to really worry about. not sure what the water trap capacity is on the triton but i have not heard any reports of problems.

dont get me wrong - it is a very good idea but i dont think weekly checks are required if purchasing your fuel from reputable service stations.

[al1231234]

Or may be diesel is so bad here in mexico, any way I`ll wait for the first tank of fuel and make a drain and measure water in case I get any. I`ll keep forum informed

[boo-ya]

Cant see it being aproblem, i do a couple thousand ks a week in the trucks i drive and never have water in the fuel. wouldnt even know where the drain valve is on the triton.

[Eelesy]

Cant see it being aproblem, i do a couple thousand ks a week in the trucks i drive and never have water in the fuel. wouldnt even know where the drain valve is on the triton.

under the fuel filter. just loosten a nut

[Quinny23]

No way should you need to check it that often unless you are filling up from a swimming pool... Every 5000 would be a frequent check...

If in doubt, get a secondary fuel filter with a glass bowl to put in prior to your factory filter... it'll catch the bigger stuff and allow you to easily check the quality of the fuel...

Whole unit cost $110 plus some hose and a 1 way valve. Without the valve you'll get fuel draining back into the tank and the car will run then stop after a few seconds...


They are really pretty cool, they come with 2 inlets and 2 outlets, 1 each on either side so you can really go nuts as far as placement goes...

Here's a shot fo the fuel line runs... (Warning, the following content has been deemed "redneck" by the Mitsu advisory board, all car should be taken when viewing the inside of a Hilux - Unless your a proctologist venture down at your own peril)

[boo-ya]

under the fuel filter. just loosten a nut

Thanks Eelsey.I should get under there and have a look one day. Know the fuel filter was replaced at the 60thou service so should be good for another 60thou.

[Homer]

That's cheap for a water drain/strainer...same thing I ran on my Nissan. Made fuel filter changes all but obsolete and was good piece of mind considering fuel quality is one of the more important aspects of a diesel.

[al1231234]

Big truck drivers here in Mexico told me they drain every day before start working and they drain off about 100ml of water after 500 liters of diesel used, for me it would be every 7 or 8 tanks of fuel used. I will see and measure it carefuly.

[Quinny23]

If that truely is the case... I'd recomend putting in a second filter with a glass bowl.... much easier to eyeball it every fill...

[snowman]

wow and we thought our diesel was bad..........

[Quinny23]

wow and we thought our diesel was bad..........

It'd wanna be cheap as your only getting half diesel half water by the sounds of it...

[al1231234]

First drain of water produced zero water at 500 kms drove, 9.8 kpl in case any is interested, also my first stuck in the mud

[bobtriton]

No water from filter yet, truck is reaching 8000 kilometers, I just stop worring about it. I guess the source of my diesel is cleaner than filling up in diferent gas stations, I fill up at company`s own diesel tank, I guess is cleaner than big diesel stations.

[bobtriton]

No water from filter so far, I never fill at gas station, but from diesel container at work. Maybe this help to keep it dry, so far not a single drop, I have checked twice and not find but diesel in the can, I wait for warning ligth, I think I got a clean souce of diesel.