1526 HST Fuel Tank flow issue

Trammel · Sep 17, 2019

Hello
Searched the forums and have found two post around the fuel flow issue from the tank to the fuel filter. My issue is that it can run anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 minutes before it starts choking from not enough fuel. You can see in the clear plastic fuel filter the level of fuel will drop to below the filter it self. Pulled the line off and it was barely dripping. Blew on the line and heard the bubbles in the tank. Started flowing and placed it back on there. Would repeat within a random amount of time.

So either something is inside the tank that floats over and plugs the hole OR there is a vacuum happening in the tank. Considering I didn't take the cap off when I blew back in the line. Pulling the tank would be the best choice but I would like to hear anyone else experience. Have tried locating a parts breakdown on that tank, not sure if there is a screen or vent that I cannot see which may be clogged.

The bad thing about this fuel tank is the elbow fill stops you from looking down inside the tank. Appreciate any input.

RNeumann · Sep 17, 2019

Sounds like a good old chunk of junk on the tank it drifts over the outlet and bang you are plugged. You can try a siphon first- hopefully you grab it with that.

repete · Sep 17, 2019

Just this past weekend I had a fuel issue with my IH 584. I was not getting anything to the fuel filters. I found an obstruction in the banjo fitting as it entered the fuel filter series. I had to dig it out to get full flow to return. I would recommend that you take the fuel line off at the filter and check the fuel flow there and work your way back toward the tank. I would avoid simply blowing the stuff back into the tank to create future problems.

My fuel filters were not that old so I probably did not need to replace them but I did anyway.

RNeumann · Sep 17, 2019

Another rare possibility is a collapsed fuel line. Not that failed internally. These ideas seem less likely as the problem sounds somewhat intermittent.

Andy1969 · Sep 17, 2019

A plugged vent will also cause this. Check venttto make sure they’re not plugged with anything like dirt or a spider web. It’s a gravity system to the fuel pump so it has to be vented to atmosphere or you’ll create a vacuum and it won’t flow.

Trammel · Sep 17, 2019

Any idea where that vent is located? I figured the fuel cap was designed to allow air in the tank. I am guessing I am wrong though.

Andy1969 · Sep 17, 2019

Trammel said:
Any idea where that vent is located? I figured the fuel cap was designed to allow air in the tank. I am guessing I am wrong though.

Not familiar with that specific model so the venting could be built into the filler cap or it could be a separate line on the top side of the tank that runs to atmosphere. Either way a good way to eliminate venting as the issue would be to leave the cap loose and run the tractor. If it stays running then the vent is plugged. If it quits like before then it’s something else.

AchingBack · Sep 20, 2019

The owners manual for my 2615 includes draining the tank when doing other maintenance items.

Trammel · Sep 23, 2019

So we pulled the shroud and console from the tractor. Decided to pull the fuel sensor rather than pulling the tank out (lot less work). Discovered that something indeed was introduced to the fuel tank. It turned out to be a wasp and it was wrapped in something (not sure what). Also discovered that white plastic mesh screen laying in the bottom. Seems if you do not pay attention when filling it with fuel, you can indeed shove it down into the fuel tank.
Thank you for your comments.

RNeumann · Sep 23, 2019

Glad u got it fixed and had some follow up for us! That makes a great resource for folks in the future.

deebardee · Jun 5, 2021

Trammel said:
Hello
Searched the forums and have found two post around the fuel flow issue from the tank to the fuel filter. My issue is that it can run anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 minutes before it starts choking from not enough fuel. You can see in the clear plastic fuel filter the level of fuel will drop to below the filter it self. Pulled the line off and it was barely dripping. Blew on the line and heard the bubbles in the tank. Started flowing and placed it back on there. Would repeat within a random amount of time.

So either something is inside the tank that floats over and plugs the hole OR there is a vacuum happening in the tank. Considering I didn't take the cap off when I blew back in the line. Pulling the tank would be the best choice but I would like to hear anyone else experience. Have tried locating a parts breakdown on that tank, not sure if there is a screen or vent that I cannot see which may be clogged.

The bad thing about this fuel tank is the elbow fill stops you from looking down inside the tank. Appreciate any input.

I have the same issue with my 1526. I believe

Trammel said:
Hello
Searched the forums and have found two post around the fuel flow issue from the tank to the fuel filter. My issue is that it can run anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 minutes before it starts choking from not enough fuel. You can see in the clear plastic fuel filter the level of fuel will drop to below the filter it self. Pulled the line off and it was barely dripping. Blew on the line and heard the bubbles in the tank. Started flowing and placed it back on there. Would repeat within a random amount of time.

So either something is inside the tank that floats over and plugs the hole OR there is a vacuum happening in the tank. Considering I didn't take the cap off when I blew back in the line. Pulling the tank would be the best choice but I would like to hear anyone else experience. Have tried locating a parts breakdown on that tank, not sure if there is a screen or vent that I cannot see which may be clogged.

The bad thing about this fuel tank is the elbow fill stops you from looking down inside the tank. Appreciate any input.

I have the same issue. My Tractor is fairly new, I believe it was a problem at the factory. There is no way we can all have exactly the same problem. I am meticulous about the fuel in my Tractor.

BryanM747 · Apr 27, 2025

Tractor RPM low but when trying to use front loader engine stalls. Ran tractor with side covers off to view fuel filter. Fuel filter starved. Level below filter portion and had the appearance of a waterfall with bubbles streaming inside. Took off the fuel line from the tank at the filter assembly and no flow from tank. Blew some air up in the line to the tank and it started dribbling out. Took an articulating inspection scope and shoved it down the fuel filler pipe, tons of rust inside the fuel filler right elbow. Got scope down in tank and showed tons of globs of rusty looking stuff all over the tank. Followed the other posts info on taking out the fuel sender to get right into the tank. Pull off the red shroud between the instrument cluster and the tractor body. 4 bolts on the outside of the shroud and one in the center of the engine compartment. Take off the Positive battery lead to avoid issues when removing the instrument cluster. Remove 2 bolts on top holding the instrument cluster , then 2 screws below steering column holding the instrument cluster. Start to lift up the instrument cluster from the top and carefully disconnect all 2 piece electrical connectors going to the cluster including the ignition switch. Remove the RPM drive shaft connector at the instrument cluster. Carefully snap apart the gray plastic instrument cluster and lift off being careful free it up from the steering column. ( You can probably remove the fuel sender without removing the instrument cluster but a lot easier to work on the sender with the cluster out of the way) The fuel sender has 5 small bolts, washers, and lock washers holding it to the tank. Remove the two piece electrical connector on the fuel sender wire. Remove the 5 nuts, lock washers, and washers from the sender bolts. Carefully pull the sender assembly out of the tank being careful of the float. My sender unit was rusting to pieces (part of the problem). Now with a clear view of the bottom of the tank, tons of rust metal particles! Put in a strong magnetic pickup tool and swept the tank removing a couple of table spoons of metal rust particles. Then used a mechanical pickup tool with paper shop towels soaked in carb cleaner to thoroughly clean the tank. The fuel outlet is a 1/8 inch hole raised about 3/16 inch off the tank floor. The tank is plastic which was helpful. There is no filter or anything in the tank. Tank now dry. Cleaned rust out of fuel filler tube with emery cloth and recleaned fuel tank with magnet. Everything clean! Problem solved! Tractor runs great. Use this same procedure to access the tank no mater what your clogging issue is.

Joe Hickerson · Apr 27, 2025

BryanM747 said:
Tractor RPM low but when trying to use front loader engine stalls. Ran tractor with side covers off to view fuel filter. Fuel filter starved. Level below filter portion and had the appearance of a waterfall with bubbles streaming inside. Took off the fuel line from the tank at the filter assembly and no flow from tank. Blew some air up in the line to the tank and it started dribbling out. Took an articulating inspection scope and shoved it down the fuel filler pipe, tons of rust inside the fuel filler right elbow. Got scope down in tank and showed tons of globs of rusty looking stuff all over the tank. Followed the other posts info on taking out the fuel sender to get right into the tank. Pull off the red shroud between the instrument cluster and the tractor body. 4 bolts on the outside of the shroud and one in the center of the engine compartment. Take off the Positive battery lead to avoid issues when removing the instrument cluster. Remove 2 bolts on top holding the instrument cluster , then 2 screws below steering column holding the instrument cluster. Start to lift up the instrument cluster from the top and carefully disconnect all 2 piece electrical connectors going to the cluster including the ignition switch. Remove the RPM drive shaft connector at the instrument cluster. Carefully snap apart the gray plastic instrument cluster and lift off being careful free it up from the steering column. ( You can probably remove the fuel sender without removing the instrument cluster but a lot easier to work on the sender with the cluster out of the way) The fuel sender has 5 small bolts, washers, and lock washers holding it to the tank. Remove the two piece electrical connector on the fuel sender wire. Remove the 5 nuts, lock washers, and washers from the sender bolts. Carefully pull the sender assembly out of the tank being careful of the float. My sender unit was rusting to pieces (part of the problem). Now with a clear view of the bottom of the tank, tons of rust metal particles! Put in a strong magnetic pickup tool and swept the tank removing a couple of table spoons of metal rust particles. Then used a mechanical pickup tool with paper shop towels soaked in carb cleaner to thoroughly clean the tank. The fuel outlet is a 1/8 inch hole raised about 3/16 inch off the tank floor. The tank is plastic which was helpful. There is no filter or anything in the tank. Tank now dry. Cleaned rust out of fuel filler tube with emery cloth and recleaned fuel tank with magnet. Everything clean! Problem solved! Tractor runs great. Use this same procedure to access the tank no mater what your clogging issue is.

Thank you for the detailed procedure Bryan. I'm sure it will help other members of the group. Happy your tractor is running great! Joe H.

BryanM747 · Apr 28, 2025

Joe Hickerson said:
Thank you for the detailed procedure Bryan. I'm sure it will help other members of the group. Happy your tractor is running great! Joe H.

Thanks Joe, the other post suggesting the fuel sender access was helpful too!

1526 HST Fuel Tank flow issue

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