Sediment Bowl question

My TO30 slowly loses fuel. The fuel flow thumb device definitely shuts off. I thought it might be losing fuel where the tank is bolted to the tractor, so I removed it. There appears to be no holes in the tank nor any dents of any kind. I'm reluctant to fill the tank with water to try and find the leak.

The only thing that is looking obvious is where the sediment bowl is attached to the tank. I noticed that it seemed loose. I could turn it about 1/8 of a turn by hand. This leaves the pipe from the bowl up against the rear of the valve cover. Is there supposed to be a washer used there? There wasn't one, nor does it looks like it should. I looked into replacing the sediment bowl, buts this website shows two different kinds and I'm not sure which one I need. TO serial number 131450.

Any thoughts on this.
 
I don't think there is a washer, taper thread I believe.

If the valve is loose that's probably where the leak is.

You could remove the valve, add some teflon tape. If possible, try to get another turn on it.

If that is the original tank, chances are it is getting really thin, especially around the valve fitting. It may twist out, so be gentle. If it does, then it was bound to happen, so be prepared to buy a new tank.
 
I had a tank that leaked where the piece that is riveted(loose) to tank and sediment bowl screws into. Don't know if it had gasket or something between it and tank. I took it to a radiator shop and he used the old type soldier iron(heat with torch) and soldier around it to tank. No more leaks. If you have tank off put a little gas in tank and hold up on end with gas around sediment bowl and watch to see where it leaks.Like Steve said use Teflon tape and check first.
 
A sediment bowl has pipe threads so it needs to be tight and if it is not good chance it can leak a little bit. With gas In the tank one should be able to feel around the sediment bowl where it goes into the tank and feel gas if it leaks there.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. We're getting some pretty good weather right now and the tractor is outside. It has a roof but that's all. As soon as it abates, I'll try the teflon tape fix, followed by putting a little bit of gas in and see if there's a leak.
 
Teflon tape and gas do not mix well and gas will melt it and that in turn can cause clogged up carb.
 
(quoted from post at 15:26:10 03/15/18) Teflon tape and gas do not mix well and gas will melt it and that in turn can cause clogged up carb.

Rich is right. If you do use teflon tape, use the yellow colored tape that's made for gasoline. Or, even better, use Permatex Aviation Form-a-Gasket. Sealing tapered and straight pipe threads on fittings that require gasoline resistance is one of the things the stuff is made for.
BillL
 
Well, long story short: The teflon tape did the job. Only, that wasn't all that was wrong. As soon as I open the petcock, it runs our where it's attached ... like a massive amount. Shutting the petcock stops it, but I couldn't tighten anything to stop it. So, I've ordered a new sediment bowl from here.

Once I get that and get it all apart and back together again, I'll report if it's good to go. Thanks for the many suggestions. You guys are the reason I read all the new posts every day.

Joe
 

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