
Water in fuel
During refueling, it is possible for
water-contaminated diesel fuel to be
pumped into your tank. Your vehicle
fuel system is equipped with a fuel
filter/water separator to remove water from the fuel. The WATER IN
FUEL light will illuminate when the ignition is turned to START (as part
of the light function check) and when the HFCM has a significant
quantity of water in it.
If the light illuminates when the engine is running, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, shut off the engine, then drain the HFCM. Refer
toDraining the HFCM and changing the fuel filtersin the
Maintenance and specificationssection of this supplement for the
drain procedure. Allowing water to stay in the system could result in
extensive damage to, or failure of, the fuel injection system.
Do not drain the water separator while the engine is running.
Fuel may ignite if the separator is drained while the engine is
running or the vehicle is moving.
Engine air filter
The engine air filter warning light
illuminates when the air filter
restriction gauge reaches the
CHANGE FILTER mark.
The condition should be verified by inspecting the underhood air filter
restriction gauge; the warning light is only a secondary indicator. Always
use the underhood air filter restriction gauge to determine when the air
filter element needs to be changed.
The vehicle may be driven with the engine air filter warning light
illuminated/or when the underhood air filter restriction gauge has moved
to the CHANGE FILTER mark for up to 400 km (250 miles) without
damaging the engine or related components. However, the air filter
element must be replaced at the earliest opportunity. Refer toAir filter
restriction gauge (if equipped)in this section of the supplement for
more information.
Instrumentation
7

2. When the glow plug pre-heat light
turns off, turn the key to 5
(START), then release the key as
soon as the engine starts. The glow
plugs will continue to be activated for two minutes after the glow plug
pre-heat light
has turned off. If the engine is not started before the
glow plug activation time ends, the glow plugs will need to be reset by
turning the key to 3 (OFF).
3. After the engine starts, allow it to idle for about 15 seconds. Do not
increase engine speed until the oil pressure gauge indicates normal
pressure.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to 3 (OFF), wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to OFF. To prolong engine life (after extended high
speed or maximum GVW operation), it is recommended that a hot engine
be allowed to operate at low idle for about 7–10 minutes which would
allow sufficient time for the turbocharged engine to cool down.
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also makes starting easier under
these conditions. Refer toEngine oil specificationsin theMaintenance
and specificationschapter.
At temperatures below–7°C (20°F), Number 2–D Diesel fuel may
thicken enough to clog the fuel filter. Your vehicle is equipped with an
HFCM which acts as a fuel filter/heater/water separator to keep the wax
melted which will help prevent fuel filter clogging. However, if the engine
starts but stalls after a short time and will not restart, the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged. For best results in cold weather, use Number 1–D Diesel
fuel or“winterized”Number 2–D Diesel fuel which has an additive to
minimize wax formation.
Your vehicle is also equipped with a bypass relief valve, located on the
fuel control module, which provides fuel flow to the engine if the fuel
pickup should become plugged by ice or wax. To allow this bypass valve
to function and avoid engine fuel starvation, it is recommended that,
during cold weather operation 0°C (32°F) or below, the fuel level in your
Driving
12

Do not blend used engine oil with Diesel fuel under any
circumstances.Blending used oil with the fuel will significantly increase
your vehicle’s exhaust emissions and reduce engine life due to increased
internal wear.
Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time as
damage to the starter motor may result.
If the engine fails to start in 30 seconds, turn the key to the OFF
position and wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Truck stops have pumps and nozzles designed for larger, heavy-duty
trucks. When refueling at truck stops: if the nozzle shuts off repeatedly
when refueling, wait 5–10 seconds; then use a slower rate of flow (don’t
depress the nozzle trigger as far).
If air is allowed to enter the fuel system (during fuel filter change or if
you run out of fuel) the engine will purge the trapped air as it runs. The
engine may run rough and produce white smoke while air is in the
system. This is normal and should correct itself in a short time.
An engine that suddenly becomes noisy or operates poorly after a fuel fill
could be using substandard fuel (i.e., high water content, low cetane
rating or gasoline in the fuel). Diesel fuel should be purchased from a
reputable station which sells a large amount of Diesel fuel.
Care should be taken whenever Diesel fuel is stored. Use only clean,
approved containers which will prevent the entry of dirt or water.
Diesel fuel must not be stored in a galvanized container. The fuel will
dissolve the zinc in a galvanized container. The zinc will then remain in
solution until it is run through the engine where it will be deposited in
the fuel injectors causing expensive-to-repair damage.
Diesel fuel dispensing nozzle fill rate
This truck is equipped with a fuel fill pipe which is able to accept fuel up
to 20 gallons per minute from an 1 1/8 inch fuel dispensing nozzle.
Pumping fuel at greater flow rates may result in premature nozzle
shut-off or spitback.
HORIZONTAL FUEL CONDITIONING MODULE (HFCM)
(FUEL FILTER/WATER SEPARATOR)
The vehicle is equipped with a Horizontal Fuel Conditioning Module
(HFCM) located on the frame-rail under the driver-side floorboard near
the transmission.
Maintenance and specifications
25

Water should be drained from the
module assembly whenever the
warning light comes on. The WATER
IN FUEL light will come on when
approximately 100 cc (0.2 pints) of water accumulates in the module.
Replace the fuel filters with Ford Part No. 3C3Z-9N184–CA. This part
number includes filters and seals for both the engine-mounted and
frame-mounted filters.
DRAINING THE HFCM AND CHANGING THE FUEL FILTERS
Your vehicle is equipped with two fuel filters; one mounted on top of the
engine and the other, the HFCM, mounted inside the frame rail under
the driver-side floorboard near the transmission. Both filters should be
replaced at the same time. The Motorcraft part number for the
replacement filters is FD-4604.
HFCM drain procedure
1. Stop the vehicle andshut offthe engine.
The vehicle must be stopped with the engine off when draining
the HFCM. Fuel may ignite if separator is drained while the
engine is running or vehicle is moving.
2. Locate the HFCM and place an
appropriate container under the
drain plug (see illustration).
3. Remove the drain plug, using a 6mm hex drive, by turning it
counterclockwise. Allow the HFCM to drain for approximately 25 seconds
or until clean fuel is observed. Install the drain plug by turning it
clockwise until it is firmly seated.
4. Verify that the drain plug is closed and sealed, then remove the
container from under the vehicle.
5. Restart the engine and check WATER IN FUEL indicator light; it
should not be illuminated. If it continues to illuminate, have the fuel
system checked and repaired.
Maintenance and specifications
26

If you experience difficult starting, rough idling, excessive exhaust
smoke, a decrease in engine performance or excess fuel consumption,
perform the following checks:
•a plugged air inlet system or engine air filter element.
•water in the fuel filter/water separator.
•a clogged fuel filter.
•contaminated fuel.
•air in the fuel system, due to loose connections.
•an open or pinched sensor hose.
•low engine oil level.
•wrong fuel or oil viscosity for climactic conditions.
If these checks do not help you correct the engine performance problem
you are experiencing, consult an authorized dealer.
FUELING
Do not use starting fluid such as ether or gasoline in the Diesel
air intake system. Such fluids can cause immediate explosive
damage to the engine and possible personal injury.
If you fuel your vehicle at a truck stop, you may notice that the fuel
nozzle may shut off every 5–10 seconds. This is due to the flow rates
being designed for larger heavy duty trucks. You may have to fuel at a
slower rate (don’t depress the nozzle trigger fully).
Do not run your Diesel vehicle out of fuel as this will allow air to enter
the fuel system which will make restarting difficult. Longer engine
cranking time may be required once air is in the fuel system. If air enters
the fuel system (either through running the fuel tank(s) empty or during
a fuel filter change), the engine will self-purge the trapped air once it
starts running. The engine may run roughly and produce white smoke
while air is in the fuel system; this is normal and should stop after a
short time.
MINOR TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
If the engine won’t crank
Turn on the headlights. If the lights are dim, do not go on at all or if
when the ignition is turned to START the lights become dim or go out,
the battery connections may be loose or corroded, or the battery may be
Maintenance and specifications
37