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[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

dieselbalz I will look at the code but will have to wait for warmer weather, probably be a few weeks at least.

Ecodiesels came with AVX from the factory.

[sixb]

I forgot one other issue the car is having, is sometimes the glow plug light will blink. After a search I found out it's also the water in fuel indicator. I opened the valve but nothing came out so there is obviously water in there since I know last fall fuel came out when I opened it. I think I'm just gonna delete it when it warms up, it should warm up enough in the next few days to at least drain the water I hope.

I will have to run at least a muffler due to inspections and will run it out the back since my kids are with me so much and having the exhaust dump right there by the back door would be a problem.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Why would you want to delete the water in fuel setup if it works? Would you rather ruin your IP and injectors when you get a bad batch of fuel? The drain tube or valve may be clogged. Try to unclog it and drain it and see if the blinking stops. If it stops the WIF system is working. Clean and inspect the condition of the plastic housing. If it is good I would suggest keeping it and carry a piece of fuel hose and tools to bypass it when it decides to spring a leak.

[DieselBalz]

With the quality of today's diesel fuel, the water separator is really not needed. Not to mention the fuel filter itself has the capacity to remove water from the system. Its really down to personal preference.

[sixb]

If I remember correctly the fuel filter has a drain and would just use that.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

If you are intent on deleting it, don't destroy it when taking it off. If in good shape I'll buy it from you.

[dieseljunkie69]

If you are intent on deleting it, don't destroy it when taking it off. If in good shape I'll buy it from you.

Agreed, when working it was designed fora purpose that is useful.

[ORCoaster]

It may be true that with the diesel of the day this might not be needed. 
But that is in a perfect world.  How many threads have we just seen where someone got a tank full of crappy fuel?  This item if not totally messing up your fuel delivery may save your butt and the cost of a filter.  Granted they are not that expensive but you may not have the cash or the ability to buy one at 1 am on a Sat night.

Most of us have spare parts in the trunk because we are old Boy Scouts or Preppers.  Just my sense of what would be good here.

[vanbcguy]

The big problem is the water separators crack and let air in. They cause all sorts of problems but don't really provide any benefit.

I haven't seen a single thread in the past 5 years about someone having water in their fuel causing them problems, but I've seen dozens of threads about water separators causing starting problems and all sorts of other things.

The water separator built in to all the current filters works great. You'll find there is rarely any water on it though since it's pretty unusual to actually find water in your fuel unless you like to leave the fuel cap off all the time.

Also modern cars like the PDs are way more sensitive to fuel quality than these old IDIs. None of them have separate water separators. The IDI will run on just about anything, modern diesels not so much.

If water is getting on to the fuel you are using then the BIG problem you are going to have is algae, not the the water itself. Algae will grow in badly stored diesel and will then fill your tank with black slime, clogging your pickup, filter and pump. It needs water to grow though. That's why stations are so careful these days (that and if water is getting in to the storage tank chances are diesel is getting out). Quite simply here in 2013 with all the modern engines out there and the environmental regs we have stations with leaky tanks selling crappy fuel can't stay in business.

I'm not saying "you must remove your water separator" by any means but it certainly isn't going to do much for you. Now of you want some protection, the stock fuel filter is really only so good at actually filtering. Upgrading to a finer micron filter (or installing one after the stock filter) would do a LOT more for your fuel quality.

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[air-cooled or diesel]

the a/c thing; the a/c shakes the engine some at idle but excessive shaking could be your motor mounts. they may want changing.
as far as the fuel i've in the past 5-7 years had a bad load of fuel, i always go to a station i know. not just a random station or cos of a lower price.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

With the quality of today's diesel fuel, the water separator is really not needed. Not to mention the fuel filter itself has the capacity to remove water from the system. Its really down to personal preference.

True, the quality of fuel is better today than in 85. However, the water in fuel does not come from the refinery, it is introduced afterwards. All you need is one batch of bad fuel to ruin your day. Here is an example

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=32805.0

The fuel filter does not and cannot remove water from the system. The water separator, with a (working) water in fuel warning system, gives you ample time to take action before damage to your injection pump occurs and prevent you from getting stranded.

[vanbcguy]

With the quality of today's diesel fuel, the water separator is really not needed. Not to mention the fuel filter itself has the capacity to remove water from the system. Its really down to personal preference.

True, the quality of fuel is better today than in 85. However, the water in fuel does not come from the refinery, it is introduced afterwards. All you need is one batch of bad fuel to ruin your day. Here is an example

http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=32805.0

The fuel filter does not and cannot remove water from the system. The water separator, with a (working) water in fuel warning system, gives you ample time to take action before damage to your injection pump occurs and prevent you from getting stranded.

The mk 2 and 3 filters most certainly can and do remove water as they have a built in water separator. That's why there is a water drain on the bottom of them.

They do NOT have a water in fuel sensor though which would certainly be a nice addition. That is one area where the original mk 2 separators have some value. Except that they tend to go bad and indicate water in the fuel when there isn't really.

Bryn

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[TylerDurden]

...they tend to go bad and indicate water in the fuel when there isn't really.

Plus, the original units get brittle and leak. When I removed one of mine, it crumbled apart in my hands.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

The mk 2 and 3 filters most certainly can and do remove water as they have a built in water separator. That's why there is a water drain on the bottom of them.

They do NOT have a water in fuel sensor though which would certainly be a nice addition. That is one area where the original mk 2 separators have some value. Except that they tend to go bad and indicate water in the fuel when there isn't really.

Bryn

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Having a drain does not mean the filter can remove water automatically. You have to do it. What do you do when you get a bad batch of fuel with more than a gallon of water in it? Wait for the engine to crap out before you know there's a problem? Yes, some of the water separator degrades with age and let's air in. If you have one that is sound and holds vacuum with a working WIF indicator, I'd suggest keeping it.

[theman53]

Everyone has a different opinion. Myself I would remove it as it always leaks and causes more problems. That said, you could install a functional one if you were worried about water in its place.