leaky fuel tank

RancherSam · 06-08-2008, 11:32 PM

Got a few hours of bush hogging done, and just as I was parking the tractor for the night I hear this drip. I look under the tractor and it looks like fuel. Apparently I have a fuel leak at a 178 hrs. Is this kind of thing common? I didn't hit anything. Apparently there is drain valve of some sort at the bottom of the tank that's leaking fuel, that's my guess so far ( I could only get a few minutes of looking as it was getting dark ). Of course, the valve is hard to see and even harder to get to. I think I'll have to take out the tank to get to it. Fun fun while I've got all this work to do, and no time. I'll take any suggestions or words of advice from anyone, I'm a beginner at this.

Iron Horse · 06-08-2008, 11:40 PM

Ive done the same thing on my tractor . The mower threw a stone and cracked the Poly tank . I welded it up using a soldering iron , was a crack 4" long in a star shape and has never given a problem since . Also check the tap , it may have been struck with a stick etc .

3RRL · 06-09-2008, 02:22 PM

What does the drain valve look like?
Mine has a petcock that started leaking and I was able to tighten it. That's all it took to stop the leak.

Soundguy · 06-09-2008, 03:39 PM

Like the others said.. find out if it is a tap that is leaking.. a pinhole / chip.. or a threaded portion the tap screws into then post back.

soundguy

RancherSam · 06-09-2008, 11:26 PM

i took a closer look today, and the leak is out of the drain valve, which is possibly the hardest thing to get to on the loader. The only way I can even got to it is if I remove a 1 1/2 in. bolt that holds the loader on. The possibility of moving the fuel tank is nill, it's pretty well in the belly of the beast. Another day spent with diesel fuel dripping all over me.

3RRL · 06-09-2008, 11:41 PM

Oh man, that sucks.
You'd a thought they'd have it in a better location to get to.
Hopefully there's some way to tighten it up and fix that leak.
Good lick with that.

RedDirt · 06-10-2008, 04:00 AM

Sometimes sacrificing a tool can gain access to an otherwise impossible spot. I once torch bent a pair of channel locks to do a similar awkward job then tapped the "L" bend of the pliers with a hammer. If you don't have a cheepo wrench/pliers to loose, and you have the chance, pick one up at an auto parts store, Wally World, HF, etc.

06-08-2008, 11:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
RancherSam Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hays County, TX Posts: 96	leaky fuel tank Got a few hours of bush hogging done, and just as I was parking the tractor for the night I hear this drip. I look under the tractor and it looks like fuel. Apparently I have a fuel leak at a 178 hrs. Is this kind of thing common? I didn't hit anything. Apparently there is drain valve of some sort at the bottom of the tank that's leaking fuel, that's my guess so far ( I could only get a few minutes of looking as it was getting dark ). Of course, the valve is hard to see and even harder to get to. I think I'll have to take out the tank to get to it. Fun fun while I've got all this work to do, and no time. I'll take any suggestions or words of advice from anyone, I'm a beginner at this.

06-08-2008, 11:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iron Horse Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orstraya , mate . Posts: 674	Re: leaky fuel tank Ive done the same thing on my tractor . The mower threw a stone and cracked the Poly tank . I welded it up using a soldering iron , was a crack 4" long in a star shape and has never given a problem since . Also check the tap , it may have been struck with a stick etc . __________________ http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/s...2/ppuser/48202 Mad inventions etc .

06-09-2008, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
3RRL Super Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Foothills of the Giant Sequoia's, California Posts: 5,357	Re: leaky fuel tank What does the drain valve look like? Mine has a petcock that started leaking and I was able to tighten it. That's all it took to stop the leak. __________________ Rob- ...The Older I get...the Better I Used to be...

06-09-2008, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Soundguy Super Star Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central florida Posts: 18,174	Re: leaky fuel tank Like the others said.. find out if it is a tap that is leaking.. a pinhole / chip.. or a threaded portion the tap screws into then post back. soundguy

06-09-2008, 11:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
RancherSam Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hays County, TX Posts: 96	Re: leaky fuel tank i took a closer look today, and the leak is out of the drain valve, which is possibly the hardest thing to get to on the loader. The only way I can even got to it is if I remove a 1 1/2 in. bolt that holds the loader on. The possibility of moving the fuel tank is nill, it's pretty well in the belly of the beast. Another day spent with diesel fuel dripping all over me. Attached Thumbnails

06-09-2008, 11:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
3RRL Super Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Foothills of the Giant Sequoia's, California Posts: 5,357	Re: leaky fuel tank Oh man, that sucks. You'd a thought they'd have it in a better location to get to. Hopefully there's some way to tighten it up and fix that leak. Good lick with that. __________________ Rob- ...The Older I get...the Better I Used to be...

06-10-2008, 04:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
RedDirt Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Mtns Posts: 304	Re: leaky fuel tank Sometimes sacrificing a tool can gain access to an otherwise impossible spot. I once torch bent a pair of channel locks to do a similar awkward job then tapped the "L" bend of the pliers with a hammer. If you don't have a cheepo wrench/pliers to loose, and you have the chance, pick one up at an auto parts store, Wally World, HF, etc.

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