There’s no denying that the Isuzu D-Max diesel engine makes it a top-tier long-distance and hauling pick-up truck. However, water and other contaminants in the fuel system can cause irreparable engine damage. To prevent this, Isuzu fits water separators in all their vehicles to protect the engine. To ensure the water separator performs efficiently, you must drain it regularly.
Some water separators are self-cleaning. However, older diesel models will need manual draining. The water separator has a sensor that alerts you when the amount of water filtered from the fuel is too much. Then you’ll remove the drain plug attached to the water separator to drain the filtered water and other contaminants from your fuel tank.
We will teach how the Isuzu D-Max water separator works, how to drain it, and the effects of not draining it on time.
What is a water separator?
A water separator(fuel water separator) is a device near the fuel filter with a small filtering mechanism that removes water and other elements from the fuel before reaching the fuel filter and entering the engine.
Diesel is less refined than other fuels because it absorbs and holds more water than gasoline or petroleum. Therefore, most diesel vehicles, such as the Isuzu D-Max, have a fuel water separator.
Removing water from your fuel is crucial as it can affect fuel combustion, resulting in poor engine performance. In addition, over time, the water will damage the engine and other parts of the fuel system.
How does the water separator work?
The water separator in your Isuzu D-Max is the first point of contact for all the fuel from your car’s fuel tank and works in three stages. Fuel will flow through the first opening and the water separator. In the first stage, the contaminants denser than the fuel itself will filter through to the bottom of the trap, and the lighter fuel moves to the next stage.
The second stage involves pleated paper elements, which change the water particles mixed in the fuel into larger droplets so they can easily drain into the water pit at the bottom of the filter.
The third stage comprises a silicone-treated nylon material that acts as a safety net that filters smaller particles of water that prevent the main filtration from getting into the engine.
Over time, this filtered water accumulates, and the sensor notifies you that it requires draining. It’s important to drain your vehicle’s water separator regularly to ensure it functions properly. Failing to drain your water separator will force the water and contaminants into the engine, causing severe damage.
Draining the water separator in an Isuzu D-Max
Draining water from the water separator is part of your Isuzu D-Max schedule service. Fortunately, it’s easy to perform without the help of a mechanic. The Isuzu D-Max has a warning light that comes on when the water level in the water separator on the fuel system exceeds the specified level.
Follow the instructions below to remove water from your Isuzu D-Max water separator.
- Park your vehicle and shut off the engine.
- Open your car’s hood, and the Isuzu D-Max fuel water separator location is on the rear left side of the engine compartment.
- Locate the drain plug connected at the bottom of the water separator.
- Loosen the drain plug by turning it counterclockwise.
- Allow water to drain out the separator until only clean diesel comes out.
- Push the priming pump at the top of the water separator 10-20 times to pump out any remaining moisture.
- Then tighten the drain plug completely.
- Push the priming pump several times again.
- Inspect the water separator and ensure there are no fuel leaks from the drain plug.
- Restart your engine and ensure the water separator warning light on the dashboard is off.
How often should you drain the water separator on your Isuzu D-Max?
The water separator will need regular draining to ensure optimum engine performance. Therefore, drain water from the water separator when your Isuzu D-Max water separator warning light comes on.
This warning light usually comes on when about 250ml of water accumulates in the water separator. It’s normal for the warning light to come on more often during winter due to condensation in the fuel lines and tank.
What happens if you don’t drain the water separator on your Isuzu D-Max?
We do not recommend driving with the fuel water separator warning light on. Here’s what happens when you don’t drain the Isuzu D-Max water separator.
Corrosion
Water will cause corrosion and rust on the housing of the water separator and other components on the fuel line. This corrosion will spread to other parts of your fuel system, including the internal transfer pump and engine.
Reduced engine performance
Water in the diesel will reduce the amount of energy, resulting in lower horsepower output. As a result, you will notice a loss of power or the engine surging when accelerating.
Clogged fuel filters
The fuel filters will block with dirty contaminated fuel, thus making them inefficient and affecting the performance of your engine.
Growth of microorganisms
If you allow the water to stay in the fuel system for a long time, microorganisms will grow in the layer where the water meets the fuel. Hydrocarbons in the fuel will provide food for the algae, bacteria, and fungus, causing it to spread fast. When microorganisms grow in the fuel system, it creates sludge which clogs the system. Clogging prevents fuel from reaching the engine misfires and stalling.
Reduces lubrication
Water and other harmful particles will pass into the engine and wear down the lubricants on your fuel injectors. This results in premature wear, damaged injection tips, and corrosion of the mechanical components in the fuel system.
Clogged fuel injectors
It will also cause contaminants to accumulate in the engine and fuel system, thus damaging them. Water accumulation prevents the fuel filter from removing harmful particles from the fuel. These particles will clog the fuel injectors and other components of the fuel system.
Ignoring a full water separator can cause long-term harm to the fuel system and the engine. To prevent this, always drain the water separator whenever the warning light comes on. Then keep up with your Isuzu D-Max maintenance schedule to ensure the water separator works as required.
Conclusion
One way to protect your engine from damage or premature wear is by ensuring your fuel is free from water and other contaminants. Due to its hygroscopic nature, diesel fuel absorbs water from the air.
Therefore, your Isuzu D-Max has a water separator to filter out water and other small contaminants from the fuel system, to prolong your engine’s lifespan. Your work is to drain the separator whenever it is full to ensure it works efficiently.