all the problems with fuel tanks

caterpillar guy · Jul 5, 2018

What is the deal with all the problems with junk in fuel tanks on here? Does nobody keep their containers clean and drain off any condensation from the farm tanks or pump them out if under ground. I try to drain my tanks of water every year and keep things clean. Dad still thinks I am dirty compared to him about it. I try to keep my fuel equipment clean enough to eat out of. Don't leave tanks open nor leave funnels cans or such bouncing around in pickups for extended periods of time. Even my oil containers are kept in this manner. We have had tractors for over 75 years with minimal required fuel maintenance.

ih560 · Jul 5, 2018

Every old tractor I have bought has had trash in the tank. I have had to flush them all. I think it is a combination of them not having fuel gauges and people using tobacco sticks or the like for a meter and the tanks not being kept full so condensation forming and causing rust on the inside of the tank, as well as the random pieces of debris making it in while they are being filled.

old · Jul 5, 2018

Just yesterday I had a problem with my Oliver S88 and starving for fuel. Pulled the sediment bowl assembly this morning and took the shut off valve off and found a flack of something in that area. Sprayed it out with carb cleaner put it back on and all is well. I try to keep my fuel jugs clean and when I do see something in one I dump it out. No matter how much you try sooner or latter you will get something In the tank even if all it is, is a leave from a tree your under

Charlie M · Jul 5, 2018

I took stuff out of the screen at the carb on my 300U that looked like mold and this is after the screen in the sediment bowl. I also pulled stuff from the inlet of the gas tank on my H that looked like some jelly substance. None of that stuff was rust from any tank. I'm amazed at the crap one can find in fuel systems these days.

Ellis Kinney · Jul 5, 2018

I keep all my funnels in plastic bags when not in use. Occasionally when SWMBO is gone I will run them through the dish washer. I keep a newspaper bag over the end of the grease gun and always wipe the grease fittings before charging. My gas tanks are all clean inside. Ellis

Bob · Jul 5, 2018

Following the instructions on the fuel cap has worked pretty well for me for a lifetime.

On the other hand, I've seen a LOT of self-induced tractor issues from folks that use dirty gas jugs, leave them out in the rain, and forget to put caps back on. Can't blame the fuel or the tractor for any of that, IMHO.

<img src = "http://oi66.tinypic.com/dqhc3q.jpg".

rustyfarmall · Jul 6, 2018

Distillate fuel is dirty. I have a 1940 M and a 1940 H. Both of those tractors were originally distillate fuel burners. BOTH of those tanks were extremely dirty. Rust, gunk, etc. On the other hand, I also own a 1950 H that came from the factory as a gasoline burner. That tractor is pretty much all original and the fuel tank is CLEAN inside.

RBoots · Jul 6, 2018

Seems like the biggest thing I've found with tractors I've bought, that "used to run, but won't start now", or "doesn't have enough power yo get out of its own way", is rags floating in fuel tanks. Why? Who the heck knows why, but I must have bought about 5 or 6 tractors that ran poorly because there was a rag floating in the gas/fuel tank for some reason. I have also found beetles/bugs/bees stuck in the neck of the sediment bowl blocking the flow of gas. I do remember a self inflicted dirty gas tank in one of our 674's when I was little. I was probably 10 and was gonna check the gas in the 674, so instead of looking at the gas gauge, I found a stick next to the barn to use. Not a nice clean one, but a dead oak stick with the crumbly bark. When I went to stick it in to check the gas, I accidentally dropped it into the tank where it couldn't be retrieved. Anyone that has ever looked at a 674 gas tank knows what a pain they can be to take off or get something from one side to the other. That one plagued my dad for years. Still have the tractor, use it almost daily.

Ross

gmcdeadhead · Jul 6, 2018

if all you guys have this much trouble with fuel tanks and sediment bowls, take time on a weekend and take the tank and sediment bowl off and give the tank a good cleaning, then put a ball valve where the sediment bowl goes and be worry free for a long time after that , simple.

all the problems with fuel tanks

caterpillar guy

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ih560

Member

old

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Charlie M

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Ellis Kinney

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Bob

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rustyfarmall

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RBoots

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gmcdeadhead

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