Deere 200-series fuel tank filter screen

Fuel tank on 200-series garden tractor has a screw-in shutoff valve and filter screen. Manual says remove screen and clean it every year. I confess I never have, but I need to. How the heck do you reach up there to take the thing out? By hand? Tool? It's a really tight space. Is it plastic? Should I fear breaking it when trying to remove? Any advice on this job is appreciated.

Probably be easier to remove the fender deck assembly and remove the tank.

Isn't a 200 series over 20 years old?

If it is working well, I wouldn't mess with it.

If you need to cleans tat screen, just unscrew the shutoff vale because the filter screen is part of the assembly.
The tank is plastic but the screen/valve assembly is metal. Some people put a hose clamp on the
tank nipple to keep the assembly from working loose.
I agree with the other poster who said to just leave it alone unless you are having fuel issues.
I have multiple 200-series.

(quoted from post at 21:03:50 12/07/21) If you need to cleans tat screen, just unscrew the shutoff vale because the filter screen is part of the assembly.
The tank is plastic but the screen/valve assembly is metal. Some people put a hose clamp on the
tank nipple to keep the assembly from working loose.
I agree with the other poster who said to just leave it alone unless you are having fuel issues.
I have multiple 200-series.

Click to expand...

I can't see any downside to checking/cleaning that screen.

I've seen many that were crushed, damaged, or missing/torn off.

It's easy to do, including removing the fenderdeck and lifting the tank to get at it.

Plan on replacing the fuel line, as well.

If original, it will be so hard/brittle you won't be able to pull it off of the hose barb on the shutoff valve without breaking or damaging it, if replaced back in the past it will likely be rotten.


As to steve's comment "Some people put a hose clamp on the tank nipple to keep the assembly from working loose", take a look at the official DEERE parts diagram below, Key # 18, they left the factory with the hose clamp on the plastic tank neck!

Closer to 40 years.

Thanks to everyone for comments and advice.

Here are more details :My tank screen (on a 214 that I bought a few years ago) must be partially plugged. Not enough gas gets to the fuel pump to keep engine running. Enough fuel must be seeping through the screen to let engine start and run for a brief time, then it shuts off as if out of gas. If it sits for an hour or so, it will start again, then die. I have made a temporary tank that bypasses the original, and that lets the tractor start and run as it should. I've disconnected the line from tank to fuel pump on both ends and blown it out with air, so I know everything works forward of the tank. When I take the pump-to-carb line off and crank the engine, I get a good stream of gas from my makeshift tank, so I know the pump is OK.

I'm glad to hear the shutoff that screws into the tank is made of metal. I don't want to bust it off at the tank. And as far as if it ain 't broke, don't fix it, I guess I agree. My 1978 212, which I've owned since new, has never had the screen cleaned and has never had a problem. Again, thanks to everyone, and Merry Christmas.

As an aside, I wish Deere designers had made a small removable panel in the heavy plate that keeps me from reaching that shutoff valve. That would have made the annual screen cleaning the owner's manual recommends a simple task. I've considered cutting an opening myself. FWIW, I may decide to remove the whole fender panel to get at the valve next summer, but not today. It's only 4 degrees here in south-central Minnesota. For this winter, I'll get by with my makeshift tank. I have snow throwers on both the 212 and 214, plus an 8hp walk-behind blower, so I'll be able to move snow as needed.

You can take the back tow bolts off the fender deck and loosen the front two.
Tha lets you lift up the back and reach in.

Excellent! I look forward to trying that when (if) it ever warms up in Minnesota. Thanks.

The decks are easy to take off.
Four bolts, takes about two minutes- lift off deck and you have access to tank.
They are plastic, and not that hard to clean. I use hot water and a bit of soap, give it a good
cleaning, blow dry with air, if you can, let it sit in the sun for a few hours and blow dry again.
With a clean tank and clean gas, you should not have problems. If the old screen can not be cleaned with a shot
of carb cleaner, or is damaged, put in a new screen. If it is the rolled type of screen it is easy to make a new one
An old coffee filter basket has stainless steel screen. Pair of scissors work well to get a piece about an inch square.
Roll it like a cigarette paper and install.
You should be good to go. A good visual inspection will tell you what you need to replace.
Kris

You might think about replacing the fuel line while you are there,they tend to fall apart inside and out when they get that old.