Featured Products
John Deere 35G Mini Excavator, 500 Hour Service Interval Tasks – Part 4
Written by Luis Montes Updated On March 05, 2026
Previously, we covered replacing the final fuel filter on a John Deere 35G.
In this article, we’ll explain how to drain the water separator and replace the screen inside it as part of the 500 hour periodic maintenance tasks.
On the Tekamo HD YouTube channel, you can watch Keith, a heavy-duty mechanic expert, servicing the water separator.
Scenario #1 - You Only Need to Drain the Water
Inside the water separator, there’s a red ring that floats up as water starts to fill the plastic bowl. If water gets too high and passes the water separator, you’ll start to see water in the fuel filter, which will cause engine damage if you wait too long.
To drain the water without making a mess, we attached a piece of hose to the drain and placed the other end in a drain pan.
Leave the shut-off valve open and unscrew the drain valve halfway (no need to remove it) to open the bottom of the bowl. Let the water drain until the fuel flow is clean, then screw the valve closed by turning it counterclockwise.
Scenario #2 - You Need to Change the Filter Screen
The process for changing the screen starts almost as if you were draining water from the bowl (see the steps above), but this time you’ll need to close the fuel shut-off valve.
Because the shut-off valve is closed, there won’t be any fuel flowing through the hose, so you’ll need to unscrew the bowl (turn clockwise) to let air in so it can drain. To loosen the bowl, you can use either a pair of filter pliers, water pump pliers, or a strap wrench.
Wiggle and pull down the filter screen to remove it.
The water separator screen for the John Deere 35G consists of two parts. Clip them together and then push them up against a piece inside the housing to install them.
Thread the bowl back in hand-tight. We recommend avoiding tools that could overtighten or break the plastic bowl.
Make sure to close the drain valve at the bottom of the bowl and turn the shut-off valve back on.
The last step is to bleed the air out of the water separator so fuel can enter.
To loosen the bleed screw on the John Deere 35G, use a 10 mm socket (turn it counterclockwise). As soon as you crack the bleed screw open, fuel will begin to fill the water separator bowl.
Once fuel begins to flow from the bleed screw, tighten it back up.
Finish by wiping fuel excess outside the water separator housing, and you’re done.
Next Post
The next task we’ll cover is changing the final drive oil on the John Deere 35G mini excavator.