Just hope to save someone some trouble (Stink Bugs)

[BKBrown]

I had a different experience with this last deep heavy snow. I have the 4231 Gas liquid cooled and it always runs great.
As I was using the snow blower on this deep snow, the engine would seem to bog down and I would slow down and then start again.
Tractor would run fine for a while and then bog down again - repeat process. Long story short -- I found Stink Bugs in the gas tank - -
Their legs had fallen off and went down into the filter and once in a while a body would block the fuel line.
They must have been poured into the tank from a gas can. Took gas line off at carb and used compressed air to clear filter back into tank.
used battery powered pump to suck most out of tank and long pick up tool to get bodies out. Now I filter everything I put in the tank !
Ventrac is running GREAT again. Other people have since told me those Stink Bugs plug air intakes, mufflers, electrical contacts in
A/C units, and many other places you might not think of. :thumbdown:

 

[murphy1244]

I had a different experience with this last deep heavy snow. I have the 4231 Gas liquid cooled and it always runs great.
As I was using the snow blower on this deep snow, the engine would seem to bog down and I would slow down and then start again.
Tractor would run fine for a while and then bog down again - repeat process. Long story short -- I found Stink Bugs in the gas tank - -
Their legs had fallen off and went down into the filter and once in a while a body would block the fuel line.
They must have been poured into the tank from a gas can. Took gas line off at carb and used compressed air to clear filter back into tank.
used battery powered pump to suck most out of tank and long pick up tool to get bodies out. Now I filter everything I put in the tank !
Ventrac is running GREAT again. Other people have since told me those Stink Bugs plug air intakes, mufflers, electrical contacts in
A/C units, and many other places you might not think of. :thumbdown:

Use a Mr. Funnel, it will also filter out any water.

 

[BKBrown]

I've seen them, but don't they leave some gas in the bottom every time ?
I use sta-bil in my gas cans - I think the bugs must have been up in a spout when I poured the gas.

 

[murphy1244]

I've seen them, but don't they leave some gas in the bottom every time ?
I use sta-bil in my gas cans - I think the bugs must have been up in a spout when I poured the gas.

The stuff at the bottom is junk. Stabil may not pass thru the filter as a lot of additives won't.

 

[BKBrown]

I believe the Sta-Bil is completely mixed in - I don't know how it would be filtered out. Isn't there a sump that would hold some gas even if it was not gunk or water ?

 

[murphy1244]

Some chemicals will not pass thru the membrane. I can't say for certain that all the stuff at the bottom is bad but we're talking less than a ounce of liquid so what? Buy or borrow one and try to pour water thru it. It will not go thru.

 

[BKBrown]

Thanks for the idea - right now I'm using a stainless steel coffee filter inside a funnel.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

Hi, Bruce.

Stink bugs are horrible creatures. They appear to have no redeeming value (except, perhaps, to other stink bugs). As an invasive species, they do not seem to have any predators.

I recently had a somewhat similar issue with my 4500Y. I intended to start a thread about it, so I will do so now, and then post the link.

Best,

John

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

Hi, Bruce.

Stink bugs are horrible creatures. They appear to have no redeeming value (except, perhaps, to other stink bugs). As an invasive species, they do not seem to have any predators.

I recently had a somewhat similar issue with my 4500Y. I intended to start a thread about it, so I will do so now, and then post the link.

Best,

John

Here's a link to the thread that I started.

John

 

[npalen]

There is a very strong reason as to why they are called stinkbugs.