Water In Fuel light

JJZ 109 · Oct 2, 2011

Started up the '97 F Super Duty 7.3 Powerstroke today to head to a job. For almost 4 miles the "water in fuel" light was on.
The truck ran as normal. After a few miles the light began to fade gradually and then just went out.
Anything that would cause this other than the obvious water in the fuel? The truck ran just as normal and pulled the trailer no problem.

creekbend · Oct 2, 2011

I have never had that specific problem before. But have you considered this possibility? Your truck is 14 years old and guages and warning light indicator chips do go bad after time. I am not saying that this is the case, but it remains a possibility. That is why "backyard" and professional mechanics both call them "IDIOT" Lights. If you want to find a more definitive answer, perhaps you should contact a mechanic that is familiar with your model. Good Luck.:tractor:

Ken45101 · Oct 3, 2011

I have had that light come on one time, I think on the Chevy (not as old as yours). It too went out and there has never been a problem.

I would guess that the sensor shows even a minor amount and the water worked it's way through the system without any problems.

Ken

Rhon · Oct 3, 2011

Did you check and see it there was anything in the fuel bowl? I've had come come on and off on my 96 when there was just enough to sit the sensor.

PoorMansCat · Oct 3, 2011

JJZ 109 said:
Started up the '97 F Super Duty 7.3 Powerstroke today to head to a job. For almost 4 miles the "water in fuel" light was on.
The truck ran as normal. After a few miles the light began to fade gradually and then just went out.
Anything that would cause this other than the obvious water in the fuel? The truck ran just as normal and pulled the trailer no problem.

I jsut dealt with this situation on my B.I.L. 97 PSD... After it kept coming back on even after draining, I pulled the filter and the stand pipe..(NOTE Left hand Threads!!) pulled the fuel inlet heater and found the bottom of the fuel filter base completely full of 13-14 years of funk... Gave up and pulled the filter base off, cleaned it out, resealed it, replaced the WIF sensor, dieassembled the pressure regulator and cleaned, replaced the fuel heater, and replaced all the hose connections...
Truck hasnt ran this good in a year or two...

workinallthetime · Oct 8, 2011

after you get the water out you should really consider running a microbiocyde through the system. diesel fuel naturally hydrates - meaning it pulls moisture from the air. this water will grow a specific alge in your fuel system and will do some serious damage.
any time you let a diesel sit for more than a week make sure you tank is full. this creates less air for the alge to use to grow. if its going to sit for a long time, make sure you have it full of fuel and the recomended amount of biocyde in the fuel to prevent and treat growth.

15 years as a gm diesel tech, ya learn a few things.

i once had a truck come in as a "no start" i primed the fuel system and diesel ran out of the filter like a shower head. closer inspection the thing had so much water in it that the filter rusted from the inside out. bad thing was the truck had real low miles and had been sitting for a year with only a 1/4 tank. the system had literally rusted from the inside out. poor fella cost him a bunch to fix and prolly still blames gm. bad things happen to gas engine people when they switch to diesel and know one educates them.

i run and trust stanadyne fuel system treatment, i also use microbiocyde 2 or 3 times a year. 30 bucks is worth the hastle it will take to repair the damage.
good luck to ya