Water in fuel light

[Mazdax605]

Hey guys,

Around Columbus Day weekend here in the USA(mid October) I had my Delica with us while camping. I had played hockey on Friday night, and brought the Delica with me. The trip was about 45 minutes each way, and it preformed flawlessly. The following day was heavy rain all day. I didn't use the van all day. On Sunday I started the van to go out for a ride, and noticed the water in fuel light was lit. I was surprised as I know I get fuel at a reputable place that all the over the road truckers in the area use. I had not light on during the drive on Friday, and thought it was strange. I drained out the fuel filter some and didn't notice anything that appeared to be water, but the light was still lit. I disconnected the wire on the sensor so I wouldn't be staring at the light on the dash, and I knew I had no water in the fuel. Just last week I was changing the oil in the engine, and decided that I would reconnect the WIF sensor. I started the van, and no light on the dash. I drove the van around on Monday with no light on the dash, but on Tuesday it was back on. I am 99.9% sure there is no water in the fuel filter, but what is causing the light?

Chris

[FalcoColumbarius]

Condensation occurs, especially this time of year. Have you tried emptying the water trap?

Falco.

[Mazdax605]

Yes, I mentioned that in my post. We have not had much rain around here in a week or so and the van lives indoors. I really think the sensor in the fuel /water separator is bad. I didn't get what looked like water from the fuel filter drain. Of course I don't have any water paste to verify it but I work on diesel engines for a living I think I would be able to tell water from fuel. Then again all the fuel I deal with on a daily basis is dyed so it's easier to spot water.

[vstrom]

Water can be suspended in the fuel sometimes.. check the water drain after it's sat for a few hours.

Also, did you drive through any puddles? I know with mine sometimes rain or deep snow will give me erroneous readings when the alternator gets wet (what a dumb place to hang something so improtant).

[FalcoColumbarius]

Yes, I mentioned that in my post. We have not had much rain around here in a week or so and the van lives indoors. I really think the sensor in the fuel /water separator is bad. I didn't get what looked like water from the fuel filter drain. Of course I don't have any water paste to verify it but I work on diesel engines for a living I think I would be able to tell water from fuel. Then again all the fuel I deal with on a daily basis is dyed so it's easier to spot water.

Somehow I overlooked that, I stand corrected. A lot of times people post about how bad their fuel economy has become and they start a thread on how they're tearing apart their intake manifold when in the end it was a dirty air filter element. It could be a faulty sensor as old electrical systems have a habit of becoming ~ mysterious, shall we say. I've not had to deal with this issue thus far so I'm not sure even how the sensor works. Could it be a loose wire? Perhaps something is grounding where it shouldn't?

Falco.

[Mazdax605]

How I understand the system works in our generators, and I can assume the Delica system works is as follows. There are two contacts at the bottom of the fuel filter/water separator, and the conductivity of the water makes them electrically close due to minerals in the water. This completes the circuit to make the light turn on. If I'm wrong please set me straight.

Chris

[FalcoColumbarius]

Ha. I think that's as good a place as any to start, eh? As you know we have various shop manuals ~ Not sure which group this would fall under, perhaps Engine Electrical or Fuel?

Falco.

P.S.: http://www.delica.ca/manuals/L-300%20Ma ... ystems.pdf

[Jedidiahwiebe]

It's good to be absolutely certain that there is no water in the fuel light. When mine first came on, not long after I bought it privately, I too drained the water trap, only to see the light come back on shortly thereafter. Drained it again - only to have the same thing recurr... eventually decided to crack the drain on the the fuel tank (really thoughtful of the mitsi folks to put a drain on the bottom of our gas tanks!) If i remember correctly near a gallon of water came out of the bottom of the tank before diesel came out. Haven't had any trouble since.

Any chance the dye is water soluble too? Maybe the colour is leaking into the water in your water trap. I dunno.

[Lapprentis]

Hi, can you guys tell us more about how to drain that factory water trap AND how to install an home made fuel tank
water trap to the benefit of the community :)

Much Thanks

Lapprentis

[vstrom]

Any chance the dye is water soluble too? Maybe the colour is leaking into the water in your water trap. I dunno.

I've heard that with aircraft fuel this can occasionally happen. But I think the fuel has to sit for a good long time.