BX24 Fuel Tank Blockage

[RayCo]

I have a BX24 that seems to have something in the fuel tank. Any clever ideas as far as how to get something out of the tank, short of going through what looks like the undesirable task of removing the tank? I guess I could roll the tractor over, but that doesn't seem good.

For those who are questioning, yes, filters are good, etc. When the thing starts running starved, I disconnect the fuel line from behind the first inline filter and watch the fuel barely dribble out. Then I spray air into the line, and eventually, whatever is, presumably, at the exit of the tank moves, and the fuel starts gushing out as expected. Repeat every few days.

 

[Chewwy]

G

I have a BX24 that seems to have something in the fuel tank. Any clever ideas as far as how to get something out of the tank, short of going through what looks like the undesirable task of removing the tank? I guess I could roll the tractor over, but that doesn't seem good.

For those who are questioning, yes, filters are good, etc. When the thing starts running starved, I disconnect the fuel line from behind the first inline filter and watch the fuel barely dribble out. Then I spray air into the line, and eventually, whatever is, presumably, at the exit of the tank moves, and the fuel starts gushing out as expected. Repeat every few days.

Get an endoscope camera attachment for you phone and look inside the tank. Use it with a claw snake tool to grasp whatever it is and pull it out.

 

[Hoss710]

you could try removing the hose from the bottom of the tank . and attach a longer peice of hose to put in a bucket. use compressed air to try and force it out. or if thst doesn't work , use the compressed air back threw the hose to force it off of the screen.

 

[RayCo]

Good stuff, y'all. I ordered an endoscopic camera. Thanks. After I use it to see and verify that I get the obstruction out, I'm going to stick it down a hornets' nest.

 

[kthompson]

Good stuff, y'all. I ordered an endoscopic camera. Thanks. After I use it to see and verify that I get the obstruction out, I'm going to stick it down a hornets' nest.

No idea the shape of that fuel tank but has a wasp in my B2710's tank doing what you described. Was able to take flashlight and see in it, not sure what I used to grab the wasp with.
But, if something like the wasp that would float, maybe you could fill the tank full, then very slowly fill to running over and it might float out. Yep, EPA will fine you, if you drop a drop of diesel in doing this. So, stop before it runs over.

 

[rnbrn21]

I have a BX24 that seems to have something in the fuel tank. Any clever ideas as far as how to get something out of the tank, short of going through what looks like the undesirable task of removing the tank? I guess I could roll the tractor over, but that doesn't seem good.

For those who are questioning, yes, filters are good, etc. When the thing starts running starved, I disconnect the fuel line from behind the first inline filter and watch the fuel barely dribble out. Then I spray air into the line, and eventually, whatever is, presumably, at the exit of the tank moves, and the fuel starts gushing out as expected. Repeat every few days.

I have had the same problem for years, every six months or so. I refuse the massive job of pulling the tank for cleaning. I installed a remote filter kit so I don't have to crawl under the tractor ever again. I modified a spare filter bowl with a tire pressure valve for the new remote kit so that when it happens again I can swap out the filter bowl and easily blow air back into the tank to clear the blockage. I'm hoping that eventually the debris will break down and get caught by the filter. If not, it's so easy to blow out the line, I can live with it forever. Get the coffee filter to prevent future problems.

 

[ruffdog]

A paint filter in the funnel works for me.

 

[Richard]

Do you have a drain on the bottom?

I once wanted to clean the inside of my fuel tank. (I have a drain bung on the bottom). Waited until it was very low on fuel... drained remaining fuel out the bottom, left hole open. Took pressure washer to inside of tank letting everything drain out the drain.

Finished with pressure washer, then took garden sprayer, put diesel in it. Used it to spray down the inside of the tank (catching what was now coming out of the drain to use as fire starter).

Put plug back in, filled with fuel and haven't touched it since. That was probably 20 years ago.

 

[kthompson]

I understand using a filter in a funnel, but I don't use a funnel, drop either the bulk tank hose nozzle in the tractor fuel tank to fill it or if using portable 5-gallon fuel tanks place their hose nozzle directly into the tank. But readying this post two things I have wondered on over the years have come back to thinking on. I had a wasp in my smallest tractor's fuel tank few years back. I have only been able to think of two ways that could have happened and sharing for thought: One while the tank cap was off while in the fueling process such as removing the cap and placing it on tractor in say the seat so I don't forgot to reinstall it and then when not replacing fuel hose or setting 5-gallon tank to the side, the wasp could have flown in then or been on the fuel cap and I failed to notice it. Or and this one I think is very valid the wasp was in the hose nozzle on my bulk tank. Sometimes my bulk tank will not be used for a month or so which is enough time for some insects to explore it and either die in there are the rush of the fuel pushes them into the fuel tank.