That wasn't too swift

[KWentling]

First blowable snow of the year so I got to try out the BX22 and the B2650 snowblower I mated to it. Single digit temps so I dumped a little Power Service in it and headed out. I tried putting a piece of 2" ABS pipe on the cutting edge and that lasted about 2 seconds and the auger grabbed it. I wondered if that would happen. Going to have to find some metal pipe and weld tabs to make a bolt on. Sheared one of the bolts on the auger so ran it back in the shop and replaced that. Back out the door and it works great other than trying to keep it out of the limestone in the drive. Blew snow for about an hour and parked it back in the shop to thaw out. Just went out to look it over to make sure everything stayed tight and noticed I left the fuel cap off. Crap. I can see that there is some snow in the tank and no doubt some grass judging by the surrounding area. So now what. Probably only a couple of gallons in the tank and I can drain that but with the goofy shape of the tank I doubt I'm going to get it all out without taking the tank off. I've had the tank off and it's not a lot of fun but doable. What would you do?

Kim

 

[Mark_in_NH]

1- Do you actually know that anything foreign got into your fuel tank to worry about ?
2- What was your reason for adding the "power service" before you started blowing ?
Don't you keep the fuel in your tank Pre-treated ?
Maybe you were just adding some for good measure.

 

[KWentling]

Mark: Looking in the filler hole I could see a few beads of water on the tank. The fuel level is below that wing of the tank so I can't see fuel. I don't know that any grass got in. Thinking about it I doubt that much of anything got in. The tractor lives in a heated shop and has just straight #2 in it. That is the reason for the Power Service. Didn't want to get gelled up. I'm probably going to just run it. I've got spare fuel filters for it. I'll have to see what the Power Service jug says about water. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Kim

 

[Mark_in_NH]

I am certainly no export and sure won't claim to be. But if I were in the situation you have described, I probably wouldn't worry to much. Now if you knew for sure, that something foreign entered the tank, thats another story.
As far as the Power Service. If you have temperatures that would cause you concern about the fuel jelling, I think you would be far better off if you were to keep the fuel in your tank pre-treated. The addative you have just poured in is merely going to slosh around with the fuel that is in the tank itself. If jelling is a true possability then the untreated fuel that is already in the fuel line and injectors is whats going to jell up and cause your first problems.
I actually treat my fuel all year long. But IMHO, you should be treating your fuel long before cold weather sets in, so that treated fuel has plenty of time to make it's way through the entire fuel system for when the cold weather does hit and jelling can be a concern.

 

[Randyj]

I bought my tractor used, and found the drop-in fuel screen was missing at the fuel tank inlet. I ordered a new one from Kubota. It's a very fine mesh screen that simply drops down into the fuel inlet where you pour in the fuel.
Helps to keep out dirt & such.

 

[KWentling]

I agree that I should be treating year around. I in fact do that in the diesel trucks and other tractor that sets out. The Power Service was added to a warm tank of fuel and had plenty of time to mix and make it through the system before the fuel could have gotten very cold. The water that may have gotten in concerns me more than any grass. I read that Power Service is a water dispersant. I'd hate to get an algae problem started.

Kim

 

[crbr]

First blowable snow of the year so I got to try out the BX22 and the B2650 snowblower I mated to it. Single digit temps so I dumped a little Power Service in it and headed out. I tried putting a piece of 2" ABS pipe on the cutting edge and that lasted about 2 seconds and the auger grabbed it. I wondered if that would happen. Going to have to find some metal pipe and weld tabs to make a bolt on. Sheared one of the bolts on the auger so ran it back in the shop and replaced that. Back out the door and it works great other than trying to keep it out of the limestone in the drive. Blew snow for about an hour and parked it back in the shop to thaw out. Just went out to look it over to make sure everything stayed tight and noticed I left the fuel cap off. Crap. I can see that there is some snow in the tank and no doubt some grass judging by the surrounding area. So now what. Probably only a couple of gallons in the tank and I can drain that but with the goofy shape of the tank I doubt I'm going to get it all out without taking the tank off. I've had the tank off and it's not a lot of fun but doable. What would you do?

Kim

I'd let the filter do it's job and move on. Keep an eye on the bowl and change when necessary.I don't care why you put PS in it... LOL... Maybe another thread?

 

[KWentling]

Randy; That would be a good idea if the BX had that too. Probably would have caught any thing before it got in the tank.

Kim

 

[Mark_in_NH]

.I don't care why you put PS in it...

I suspect that freezing temps aren't a real concern down in TN. But
I will bet, that if you have ever had to deal with cold temperatures and a diesel engine not starting due to jelled fuel, you'd care.

 

[Thomas]

Kim.
" I can see that there is some snow in the tank and no doubt some grass "
If I,I would..
Remove tank and clean.
Flush supply line.
New filter also spare filter handy.

Yep it seems like alot of extra work,but if you jell/clogg than the real work begins.