Sediment bulb/fuel line help

Rodeo man

Member
New here, bear with me. I just bought an 8n. It was a lot
cheaper to heal my midlife crisis than a Harley. It is giving me
a little trouble that I can"t quit figure out. It will start to run like it
is starving for fuel. When it is running, it runs like a top. I have
taken the se dement bulb off. It runs fuel like it should. When I
screw the bulb on as tight as I think it should be, the tank won"t
empty to the sedement bulb. Loosen it a little, and it will fill
quickly. Follow the fuel line down, take it off, and blow in it
there is no obstruction. That leads to an aftermarket fuel filter.
It"s clear, and I can see that it is barely getting a drip from the
fuel line. Let it sit, and fill, and the little tractor runs great.
When the fuel is all drained form it, it starves again. The added
inline fuel filter seems like a good idea. One problem with it is,
that is like 1 inch from the manifold. I don"t like that. Why am I
not getting enough fuel to the carb? The opening to the
sedement bulb flows freely, and the line from sedement bulb to
filter is unobstructed. Seems like it should be getting enough
fuel. I don"t think the carb is the problem. It runs too good
when it"s getting fuel.
 
Your problem might be in the aftermarket fuel filter. I had one on mine when I got it and it was starving the engine too. I temp replaced the filter with a piece of rubber fuel line but I still need to run a new metal line. Some of those filters don't flow very well on gravity feed systems, it gets worse when they get dirty and may not appear dirty visually.

Your tractor doesn't need an aftermarket filter anyway as there are or should be 3 screens, you might verify that they are there though. One is at the inlet of the sediment bowl assy, this is stem that goes inside the fuel tank. Second screen is inside the sediment bowl and service by removing the glass bowl. Third screen in behind the fitting where the fuel line connects to the carb. You see its pretty redundant to add another filter to the system.
 
(quoted from post at 06:28:20 06/30/14) New here, bear with me. I just bought an 8n. It was a lot
cheaper to heal my midlife crisis than a Harley. It is giving me
a little trouble that I can"t quit figure out. It will start to run like it
is starving for fuel. When it is running, it runs like a top. I have
taken the se dement bulb off. It runs fuel like it should. When I
screw the bulb on as tight as I think it should be, the tank won"t
empty to the sedement bulb. Loosen it a little, and it will fill
quickly. Follow the fuel line down, take it off, and blow in it
there is no obstruction. That leads to an aftermarket fuel filter.
It"s clear, and I can see that it is barely getting a drip from the
fuel line. Let it sit, and fill, and the little tractor runs great.
When the fuel is all drained form it, it starves again. The added
inline fuel filter seems like a good idea. One problem with it is,
that is like 1 inch from the manifold. I don"t like that. Why am I
not getting enough fuel to the carb? The opening to the
sedement bulb flows freely, and the line from sedement bulb to
filter is unobstructed. Seems like it should be getting enough
fuel. I don"t think the carb is the problem. It runs too good
when it"s getting fuel.

Ok, screw the bulb on tight like u think it should b and dont worry bout it filling the bowl back up. Next thing is u need to get rid of the aftermarket filter. Yeah, its bad being close to the manifold and its also resticting the fuel flow and is probably part of ur problem. The inline screens are all u need.

There are lots of posts on here concerning ur problem, look them up or repost if u need more help.
 
Inline fuel filter.

The little flat ones that are used on a lawn mower will work OK.

Zane
 
I would take off and leave off the aftermarket fuel filter. Just buy a new fuel line. You should have three fuel filters: One above the sediment bowl, one in the sediment bowl and one in the carb elbow. When the sediment bowl doesn't fill, loosen the gas cap and see if it fills. If it still doesn't fill it's in the sediment bowl. If your tank is rusty I would consider replacing it. I replaced mine and have no regrets. Welcome to the forum.
 
Put the bowl back on & hand tighten the thumb screw. Turn the gas on & look at the bowl. If it starts to fill the bowl, turn the gas off & start over; it has a leak. You will know it's sealed when gas does not flow into the bowl w/ the engine off. It won't fill with the bowl securely on because the float has closed the needle valve in the carb and there is nowhere for the air in the bowl to escape. (assuming the carb bowl is full) When the engine is started the needle valve will open and the trapped air will escape through the carb vent. If you loosen the bowl, it will fill.....and leak.

Do not open the valve more than 2 or 3 turns. All the way open gets you the 1 gallon reserve & that port is usually clogged.

Re the in-line fuel filter, check out tip # 15 at the link.
75 Tips
 

I had the same issue until I removed the fitting at the carb inlet. It has a small screen tube that fits inside the carb. When I removed mine, the screen tube was about 90 % full of scale from the tank.

Tractor supply sells them in a jiffy if you cant wait for the mail order to arrive..
 
Welcome to the forum. Lots of really smart folks here that can and will assist with problems.
First as others have stated get rid of the in-line add-on filter. Not sure which one you have but most were made for use in cars/trucks which have pressurized fuel systems and you tractor is gravity fuel system. Besides ole' Henry designed these things with 3 filters already. How many does your car/truck have? All of mine have 1.
How to check the 3 filters is easy.
Make sure sediment bowl shut off valve open 2 turns. You already know that fuel goes into sediment bowl when loose. There is a nut on bottom of carb, remove it and with a can/jar under it let it run at least a full minute. Does it keep running or does it run for few seconds and dribble or stop? Dribble or stop? Remove fuel line where connects to carb and repeat test. Keeps running than filter inside the carb is plugged. Remove the elbow that fuel line connected to as thats where a filter SHOULD be located (mine came without so replaced). Clean filter, replace, retest.
Post back with what you found.
 
You are probably well aware of this but it had to be pointed out to me.
I had a plastic aftermarket in-line fuel filter and along with it several inches of rubber fuel line....right next to the manifold which can get red hot. Not sure if you have this issue or not, but it"s something to keep in mind for a rainy day if you do.
 
I will explain your problem that you do not have. When you remove the sediment bowl and then turn on the gas yes it can not fill up with gas because the float needle is closed since the carb is full of gas. Till the float drops the sediment bowl already is full. Of what you say AIR and no two things and be in the same place at the same time.
That said most in line filters are made for fuel systems with pumps and your tractor does not have a pump so not enough pressure for it to work well if at all. Get rid on the line and make sure the 3 filters that where factory are there and you will get rid of most if not all your problem
 
Thanks, great suggestions. I don't have any screens,
associated with my sediment bulb. I guess previous owner
was relying on the filter. I do have the one near the carb. I'd
like to have all 3 screens, and a fuel line, and just start over. Is
that something that can still be purchased. I can probably
jimmy up a fuel line, if I don't kink it to bad trying. The screens I
have no idea about.
 
U can get just about any part u need from this website. Also tractor supply (tsc) has the sediment bowl screen and cork gasket. U may have one and just not know it. When u take the bowl off look up under there where the bowl fits on. The screen covers that whole round opening. Remember to wet the cork gasket with gas before u put it back together.
 
Any good farm and home place will have the sediment bowl assembly and or just the screen and gasket. As fore fuel line I use brake line Easy to bend and will last forever
 
" Is that something that can still be purchased."

Yes.

But do not buy junk off of eBay or from TSC.

Get parts here or at nnalert's. Both places will have the fuel line as well as the sediment bowl gasket & screen & the brass carb elbow. The other screen is attached to the sediment bowl & only serves to screen the reserve flow.

But, if you want a new sediment bowl, it will come w/ a new screen. Again, don't buy junk (as the 3 bowls on the right in the picture) Get an OEM bowl here or at nnalert's.

Pay attention to what you are doing when you remove/install the carb elbow. Don't honk down on it; it's brass. First, use a flare wrench to remove the fitting. (as in the picture) Next, if you do not have another fitting to screw into the elbow (as in the picture) then use a crescent wrench on the top & bottom (NOT the sides) of the elbow to remove it. Otherwise, you will distort it & you will never get the fuel line fitting back into it.
DSC03068.jpg

sedimentbowlsbrassfittings003.jpg

sedimentbowlsbrassfittings001.jpg

75 Tips
 
" Any good farm and home place will have the sediment bowl assembly"

I disagree.

They usually are made to fit more than one model tractor (they have a plug in on side) and have a lever instead of a wheel. And they are 100% junk. The 2 bowls in the center don't even use the standard gasket & screen.

" As fore fuel line I use brake line Easy to bend and will last forever"

I don't disagree with that, but it's misleading. You really need to point out that you have the correct tools.
sedimentbowlsbrassfittings001.jpg

75 Tips
 
I don't like the plastic inline filters put in with rubber hose.
Too close to the manifold for comfort. I don't like the idea of a fire.
They can also get caught on branches etc if left out farther.

I use standard 1/4 inch brake line. Its sold in a 30 inch length
that already has the correct size fitting on each end.
All that needs to be done is to bend it in a couple of places.

If you don't have a tubing bender to keep it from kinking, fill the
tube with sand, plug the ends and bend it by hand. Make sure
you clean it out real good with carb cleaner when done and let
it dry. Then blow it out with an air hose.

Someone already mentioned it, but check the fuel flow out of
the drain plug in the bottom of the carb. Catch that gas and
inspect it for dirt/water.

Welcome to the forum, you'll be up and at 'em soon!
 
I have yet to ever use any tools to bend brake line. Yes you do need to be careful and not kink it but that is easy by using say a carb cleaner can or other such thing.
As for the Farm and home most have the sediment bowl assembly but yes you have to again and be careful and make sure your not getting one of the junk ones. But again it takes comparing and looking at thing well when you go an buy stuff
 
I wouldn't completely write off TSC. I sent back 2 radiator caps from a dealer who is often mentioned on this site because the caps would not fit on tightly. They would just jiggle around. I had the same thing with a gas cap that I had to send back, one that was OEM style. I finally gave up on them and went to TSC bought it off the shelf and works fine ------no two way postage
 
New Oxford 2-n, I've posted many times that I'm not a fan of TSC,
but that doesn't mean I don't buy things there. (when they have it)
It depends on what I need though. Need a screen for the sediment
bowl? They probably have one. Just don't ask for two! LOL
Elbow with screen for the carb inlet? Yep, they may have it.
Tune up parts, points, condenser, etc? They probably have it, but
unless you want to buy another one next week, save your money.
What I'm getting at is I don't completely write them off, but it is
difficult and expensive to learn what to buy there and what not to.
So sometimes for new tractor owners it's easier to avoid them.
I use their Traveler brand hydraulic fluid and a light switch they
sell in the auto aisle regularly. No trouble with either one.
 

These guys can dream up some good stuff makes me wonder what they smoke...

A screen gets the big stuff like screening dirt screening dirt lets the dirt pass but catches the rocks and sticks etc... You would not run dirt thru a filter it wont work a filter will trap the dirt and stop up... If you have a add on filter and its getting restricted look for the contamination and remove it are replace a suspect bad tank and rusty fuel line...

Good clean fuel is hard to beat...
 
Got a sediment bulb assembly. It came with the two screens of course. Also got a new fuel line, and screen for the elbow near the carb. Hopefully in a day or two, I will have to put them on, and might clean the carb as well. I'm enjoying the forum, but finding it's not real user friendly. I'm not a forum junkie, but I post pretty regular on a couple. Maybe with time I'll get use to this format.
 

re. this forum . . .
Have you chosen "Classic View" or "Modern"?

Modern is as good as most forum programs.[/quote]

Never saw the "modern view" till you pointed it out. Much better now. Thanks.
 

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