Kubota T1760 - install water drain plug in fuel tank?

ironandsteel · Apr 18, 2019

I have a kubota T1760 garden tractor/mower that is susceptible to getting water in the fuel tank if I leave it out
in the rain. Whether it is leaking in somehow through the cap, or it is from condensation, I don't know. You can't
get a siphon hose to reach the bottom of this tank (which is thick white plastic) because of the offset filler
opening, so I can't get all the water out of there.

I'm really tempted to install some sort of tank drain at the lowest point of the tank so I can get any water out of
there. It seems like I could drill and tap a hole and put in a screw with a neoprene washer. But I never see this on
mowers, so it must be really hard to make it seal.

I've seen blind bulkhead fittings for water tanks and am tempted to install one, but it is really larger than I
need.

Bob · Apr 18, 2019

FAR better to somehow keep that water from getting in in the first place!

It's just asking for $$$ trouble to go on like that.

jeffcat · Apr 18, 2019

Don't even think of drilling holes in a plastic tank. To keep water "rain" out just use a plastic shopping bag and a big rubber band over the gas cap. Prevention is 99% of a good thing. Now to get water out unhook the hose from the carb and drain out all of the fuel. Take the cap off and take an air chuck nozzle. Wrap some duck tape around the opening and GENTLY blow a little air in to SLIGHTLY pressurize the tank. It should get everything cleaned up. If you can look in and see the fuel outlet at the bottom of the tank then you can see if it is clean. Had a stubborn one one time. Bought a couple gallons of E-85. Take your machine to a crappy spot out back that is nice and level. Drain the fuel. Now plug the end of the fuel hose and pour in a gallon of that E-85. Slosh the fuel back and forth in your machine. It should absorb all of those little water blobs. Un plug the hose and dump that stuff or save it for your burn pile. DON'T run it through your machine what ever you do.

ironandsteel · Apr 18, 2019

Thanks for the ideas.
Twice now I've done the following:
Drained the tank by first siphoning out what I could, and then pulling the fuel hose after the fuel pump and cranking it over to pump out everything that it could reach. Put in new 100% gas (no ethanol).

It runs and mows for a few minutes, and then bogs down and stops. I turn off PTO and it starts right up. Engage PTO and mow for 15 seconds and it stops. It will drive just fine without the PTO.

The E85 plan is a good idea- never bought that stuff before.

I'm also considering lifting the damn thing up from the front with my backhoe to totally empty the tank (after draining the crankcase oil).

Mule Meat · Apr 18, 2019

Do not attempt to drill the tank as other have said. Big mistake.

Kawasaki engine.

Mow awhile, bogs, shut off PTO, run fine, mow, bog repeat..

That sounds more like an engine electrical system problem than fuel related.

To drain the water. Cant you remove the fuel line from the tank to fuel pump and drain it?

=============
You may be getting bad fuel.

If you have a 5 or 6 gallon glass Carboy (jugs used for wine making) or other such clear container. Take it and dump 4 or 5 gallons of fresh fuel it. Add 1/2 bottle of fuel treatment that has Methanol. Shake the jug for a minute (longer you shake, the better the results). Let it set over night with a plastic bag over the neck held with a rubberband. Check it the next day. The water will fall to the bottom and good fuel will float on top. Sphion or pump the good stuff down to as close as you can to the bad stuff.

I know people that does that here who "stock piles" gasoline for their generators during the winter.

ironandsteel · Apr 19, 2019

(quoted from post at 03:58:42 04/19/19) Do not attempt to drill the tank as other have said. Big mistake.

Kawasaki engine.

Mow awhile, bogs, shut off PTO, run fine, mow, bog repeat..

That sounds more like an engine electrical system problem than fuel related.

To drain the water. Cant you remove the fuel line from the tank to fuel pump and drain it?

=============
You may be getting bad fuel.

If you have a 5 or 6 gallon glass Carboy (jugs used for wine making) or other such clear container. Take it and dump 4 or 5 gallons of fresh fuel it. Add 1/2 bottle of fuel treatment that has Methanol. Shake the jug for a minute (longer you shake, the better the results). Let it set over night with a plastic bag over the neck held with a rubberband. Check it the next day. The water will fall to the bottom and good fuel will float on top. Sphion or pump the good stuff down to as close as you can to the bad stuff.

I know people that does that here who "stock piles" gasoline for their generators during the winter.

As I said, I have pulled the fuel line after the fuel pump and pumped out all the fuel that I could. I also open the drain screw on the float bowl of the carb to empty out any water in there.

The orientation of this tank and filler is such that you cannot see the bottom- the filler is offset. So, you are working blind when you siphon.

I buy 100% gas for use in mowers from Liberty gas stations around here

It doesn't seem like an electrical problem. Clearly fuel.

Russ from MN · Apr 19, 2019

If you would start using E-10 you would have less problems! The problem with putting a bulkhead fitting in for a drain is it would stick up into the tank a little and not get all the water out. I think you would be better off installing a water separating filter, or, better yet build a shed to keep the tractor in.

Steve@Advance · Apr 19, 2019

I suspect if you would run just ONE tank, or even a partial tank of E10 through it, any water would be absorbed and run right through.

Then run the tank empty, refill with straight gas.

As others said, prevention is key.

As others said, could also be an ignition problem. Try a new set of plugs, just to say you did. I fought a similar problem, $100 worth of ignition parts later, a new plug fixed it!

steve_in_mo · Apr 20, 2019

I'd suggest you have your PTO clutch checked with a multimeter for resistance.
As they begin to burn out, they can short out a few wraps of wire at a time,
and lose resistance. Then they pull way more watts than they should and the
ignition system doesn't work right.

Proper value should be in shop manual for your Kubota.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, have the battery load tested, and have
your charging system checked for both voltage and output.

ironandsteel · Apr 20, 2019

I have the carb apart- and there was rusty crud in the float bowl. I think this is the issue. I'm removing the jets and cleaning. Also, I'll replace the fuel filter- it is likely harboring water.

When you start it up cold, you can mow for a couple minutes. Then, as it warms up, the amount of time you can mow shortens to 10-15 seconds. Pretty sure the PTO solenoid is fine.

What I don't understand is how the fuel cap could allow water in. Yes, it has vents, but it looks like the water would have to go uphill to get in through the cap. Anyway, somehow it is. I need to remember to bring this thing into a shed when done, and keep a baggie over the cap.

Bob · Apr 20, 2019

(quoted from post at 11:30:40 04/20/19) I have the carb apart- and there was rusty crud in the float bowl. I think this is the issue. I'm removing the jets and cleaning. Also, I'll replace the fuel filter- it is likely harboring water.

When you start it up cold, you can mow for a couple minutes. Then, as it warms up, the amount of time you can mow shortens to 10-15 seconds. Pretty sure the PTO solenoid is fine.

What I don't understand is how the fuel cap could allow water in. Yes, it has vents, but it looks like the water would have to go uphill to get in through the cap. Anyway, somehow it is. I need to remember to bring this thing into a shed when done, and keep a baggie over the cap.

Are you SURE only "clean" gas has been put into it?

I'm really careful to keep my gas jugs clean and out of the weather.

Some years ago, we bought a house, and there were some tools and a new-looking gas jug left in the garage.

Seller said to use them, or toss them, he didn't have time to finish cleaning up.

Brought the garden tractor over, and forgot my gas jugs, then remembered the one he left.

Looked like new, gas inside looked and smelled fresh, so I used it.

Big mistake, there was some water in it, and the tractor quit halfway around the yard.

Have helped out a number of others who got water in their mowers from a gas jug.

Kubota T1760 - install water drain plug in fuel tank?

ironandsteel

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Bob

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jeffcat

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ironandsteel

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Mule Meat

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ironandsteel

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Russ from MN

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ironandsteel

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Bob

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