Draining water from a 3720 fuel sediment bowl

Riderguy · Jan 2, 2011

Hey Folks:

My 3720 manual says to drain water from the fuel filter bowl daily to avoid premature engine failure. There is nothing in my manual to describe how to "drain the water". Can anyone tell me what they do on a 3720 to comply with this?

Thanks,
Scott

9973720wb19 · Jan 2, 2011

there is a plastic white filter bowl unit left of the fuel filter.
1) turn off the fuel
2) unscrew the wing nut on the bottom of the white plastic bowl and allow to drain. You'll see the red flot go down. Btw, I think draining this once every few months would be fine. Just don't let the the red flot go too high...it "flotes" on water.

Riderguy · Jan 2, 2011

Thanks, that's the info I was looking for!!

Scott

9973720wb19 · Jan 2, 2011

is "RiderGuy" as in cyclist? I ask because...I'm a rodie.

Riderguy · Jan 3, 2011

9973720wb19 said:
is "RiderGuy" as in cyclist? I ask because...I'm a rodie.

Motorcyclist. Long story short - Years ago my AOL screen name was
Katana90 because of the motorcycle I rode at the time. I got hit on online by a bunch of hard up guys because they thought I was Russian woman. So, RiderGuy it became.

Scott

RalphVa · Jan 3, 2011

Sounds like a "protect yourself from suit" lawyer statement. Unless it has a dedicated drain spigot, I wouldn't do it. Even then, I'd look at the fuel bowl first to see if there's a water layer there. If none, don't drain.

In 32 years of driving diesel automobiles, I have never had a water problem. Haven't had one in 6 years on my tractor. I've never drained the fuel bowl for water. Had wax drop out last winter. The wax globs stoppered the outlet line from the fuel tank. Siponed the tank and fished out the globs. Changed the fuel filter (inside the bowl on my tractor) just to be sure.

Had a fuel filter plug problem after 3 tanks of B5. That's a well know thing.

Had fuel gelling one morning after a -22 F start. Went away after the 3rd restart because the warm engine block heated the fuel filter next to it (on a Benz).

Just look at it. If you don't see a visible water layer, leave it alone.

Ralph

Riderguy · Jan 4, 2011

RalphVa said:
Sounds like a "protect yourself from suit" lawyer statement. Unless it has a dedicated drain spigot, I wouldn't do it. Even then, I'd look at the fuel bowl first to see if there's a water layer there. If none, don't drain...

...Just look at it. If you don't see a visible water layer, leave it alone.

Ralph

Thanks!

LHS Inc · Jan 5, 2011

9973720wb19 said:
there is a plastic white filter bowl unit left of the fuel filter.
1) turn off the fuel
2) unscrew the wing nut on the bottom of the white plastic bowl and allow to drain. You'll see the red flot go down. Btw, I think draining this once every few months would be fine. Just don't let the the red flot go too high...it "flotes" on water.

Does my 2010 3520 have the red float? I drained out mine last nite without any problems but I didn't see a red float.

Craig Clayton · Jan 5, 2011

I buy a can of diesel fuel anitfreeze for diesels. I add this at the proper ratio for the size of the tank. The can suggests how much per tank full that is for transport trucks. Just do a simple ratio and porportion instead of 45 gallons think 4.5 gallons for the tractor. So ie. 12oz /45 gallon do 1.2 oz/4.5gallon
A can will last for years.
Craig Clayton