Diesel Cap Filter Fell into Tank. Tractor decelarates, loses momentum.

donotfear · May 19, 2018

Well, I was trying to put the diesel in with those new cans, and I knocked the strainer basket thing in the tank! (yeah, I'm female, bare with me please:laughing

. So I made a couple of calls and was told it wouldn't hurt it to run it with the thing floating around in there. We tried to fish it out, but no such luck.

I did about 20 minutes of dirt work, then started losing torque (whatever it is that accelerates). The hand just started dropping on it's own. You know, the stick thing-a-ma-bob in front of the wheel. The stick stayed in place, but the gage starts going down.

Went off & on like that about 10 minutes, then nearly died. When I would shift to a lower gear, it would rev up more, then slow down. So I park the tractor, go inside and started surfing around on the web to see what I could learn.

It could be one of 3 things;
Bad Diesel...I had just filled it.
Screen/Filter blocking fuel line somehow.
Whatever in the heck any other thing could be.

I got one of those claw things that you put in the tank to grab it, but I can't see the thing in there. I tried to feel around, but nothing. Grabbed the line that was in there, but didn't hurt it.

I drained the tank of all the diesel, then tried. No luck. Rats. Now what? Wait until dark, shine a light in there and try to get it out?
Put in new diesel?

I don't have a clue. If it comes to removing the tank, then I'll have to get help with that, can't do myself, don't have the strength or know-how.
I don't know, what do you all think?

Crazy Tractor Lady

mcfarmall · May 19, 2018

I can't believe a mesh strainer would plug the line unless there was crap in the basket that got released into the tank when it punched through. Maybe you got some crap fuel.

Norm W · May 19, 2018

When the engine loses power it could be air or fuel. If there was a cloud of black smoke out the exhaust I'm sure you would have mentioned it. With that said, I'd look at fuel. Disconnect the fuel line from the fuel pump and see if you get a good flow of fuel. If you don't, then a blockage would be between the pump and the tank. It could be the fuel filter or something stuck in the line. This will give you a starting point to look for the problem. Post what you find.

Omega Woods · May 19, 2018

Is it remotely possible that something else fell in the tank at the same time? Otherwise, I'm with Norm. Where was the fuel from and was it fresh?

Omega Woods · May 19, 2018

Is it remotely possible that something else fell in the tank at the same time? Otherwise, I'm with Norm. Where was the fuel from and was it fresh?

There are other threads discussing this same issue and some folks do have stalling issues.

sixdogs · May 19, 2018

Go with simple answers first. Do you have another cap on it and is a cap needed for proper operation?

I'd find some way to get that cap out of there. My guess is that's the highest probability answer.

EDIT---Just re-read your first post and realize it's just the screen and not the cap. I'm still going with the screen first. Get it out some way.

Clint S · May 19, 2018

sixdogs said:
Go with simple answers first. Do you have another cap on it and is a cap needed for proper operation?

I'd find some way to get that cap out of there. My guess is that's the highest probability answer.

Guessing it is strainer from can not the tractor.
If its metal use a magnet. With all the sloshing I doubt it would stay put right over the outlet.
Its a strainer made for fuel to move through not very probable it causes an issue, but possible. Bad fuel is the guess here

newbury · May 19, 2018

As to getting the cap out - you might try getting a small flexible mirror (or a borescope or endoscope to hook up to a phone or laptop) to find where the cap is.
Then use a magnet or your "claw thing" to grab it.
Be careful looking in with a light, sparks could make the tank go bang.

donotfear · May 19, 2018

The strainer was actually plastic with aluminum basket, I assume. That's why I got the claw thing.

Okay, I'm going to work on getting it out tonight, when not so much light around (makes it harder to see inside with flashlight). Saw this method posted elsewhere.

I kinda think it might be crammed into the right hand corner. I fished around in there, but couldn't tell where it was. If I can get it out, I'll re-fill with diesel from another gas pump location. It was a Shell pump at an EZ-Mart. Funny thing was, I tried to use one side of the pump and it would not engage I switched sides and it engaged immediately. Don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.

So, if I can't get it out, I'll break down and call the guy who came out to service it for me last month. Last resort. Then if there is still problems, Woe is me.

I'll keep ya posted. And I'll be careful, especially with the flashlight. Still a tad bit of fuel left in the bottom. I refuse to let this thing bog me down. I've come a long way with learning to use it, still learning.
Thanks and I will repost soon. Much appreciation.
P.S. No chance of anything else falling in at the time I filled it.

Crazy Tractor Lady

donotfear · May 19, 2018

Norm W said:
When the engine loses power it could be air or fuel. If there was a cloud of black smoke out the exhaust I'm sure you would have mentioned it. With that said, I'd look at fuel. Disconnect the fuel line from the fuel pump and see if you get a good flow of fuel. If you don't, then a blockage would be between the pump and the tank. It could be the fuel filter or something stuck in the line. This will give you a starting point to look for the problem. Post what you find.

Just noted this. When I first start the engine, there is usually a cloud of light black smoke, but it's only at the start. Nothing as I use the tractor.

chero82 · May 20, 2018

Loosen the cap and see if it will run better. It could be the strainer holds the cap up a bit to allow the tank to vent.

chero82 · May 20, 2018

Loosen the cap and see if it will run better. Could be the strainer holds the cap up a bit to allow the tank to vent.

donotfear · May 20, 2018

I have tried and tried to get that screen out of the tank. Had it twice, but couldn't get a grip on it.

Now I can't see it at all!!!

Navvet · May 20, 2018

Take a look at getting something like Wireless Endoscope / Borescope Inspection Camera from Amazon. You can find them for around $25 and they work with a smart phone / tablet / laptop. They usually have various pickup tools with them for retrieving things from small dark places.

Most are waterproof but i'd be careful about putting one down a full tank of fuel.

Clint S · May 20, 2018

chero82 said:
Loosen the cap and see if it will run better. Could be the strainer holds the cap up a bit to allow the tank to vent.

Again from what I understand , its from the can not the tractor.
After you moved it did the situation get better as far as running wise. I am guessing you could save some time and just leave it there. Drain the fuel that is probably where your issue is.

ericm979 · May 20, 2018

I was going to recommend the cheap borescope too. Mine was like $12 or $15, attaches to a computer and has a light built in. If you get it in the diesel that might cause it to die sooner rather than later but even if it only works for this one task it'll be worth it.

John Fitzgerald · May 20, 2018

Here's what I do with those new 5 gallon cans that won't pour: I put a one gallon plastic juice jug on the ground and pour it full from the can, then pour that in the tractor using a filter funnel. It's much easier to pour from a one gallon open container than from a 5 gallon jug with one of those new no pour no vent spouts, especially when trying to hold the full 5 gallon jug on top of the tractor hood for the three or four minutes it takes to pour.

rScotty · May 20, 2018

This sounds kind of familiar. I've fished in my fuel tank too. And with about the same results. Ended up removing it and holding it upside down. But maybe that isn't necessary here.

Lets back up a step or two. I kind of doubt that the cap or screen or whatever that fell into the fuel tank is what is making the tractor run poorly. My guess is that whatever was being screened out of the fuel got dropped into the tank and passed from there down into the fuel filter where it has plugged that filter up. That's common enough, and a plugged fuel filter exactly fits what you said about what is happening as it runs. The fuel filter is plugged up and the motor is starving for fuel.

So I'm afraid that even if you do get the elusive screen out of the fuel tank you won't accomplish anything except satisfaction - you are still going to need to clean out the fuel filter. So I'd leave the tank alone for now and concentrate on the fuel filter. I'll also bet that cap & screen can flop around in the tank for a long time without damage to anything.

Every tractor has a fuel filter - often the filter lives in a clear plastic housing so you can see dirt and water. To find the filter, follow the rubber hose coming out the bottom of the fuel tank, and that leads right to the fuel filter. There is often a little handle on the fuel filter housing that can be used for turning the fuel flow on & off when you stop the tractor, or to stop the flow of fuel out of the tank while you work on the filter.

And there is a little finger-push valve on top of the housing for burping the air out of the housing after it has been cleaned out & reassembled. This is easy stuff to do even if it is a bit bit messy it is less so than mucking around in the fuel tank. You'll want a plastic container, a brush for cleaning the filter and housing, and a few pairs of pliers plus maybe some waterpump pliers,..... & a screwdriver or two. That ought to do it. The filter housing us almost always deliberately made to be simple, accessible, and easy to deal with by owners with simple hand tools. It's made that way because all over the world, dirty contaminated diesel fuel is common, and cleaning out the fuel filter is a common job.

Enjoy!
rScotty

Quebecguy · May 21, 2018

donotfear said:
It was a Shell pump at an EZ-Mart. Funny thing was, I tried to use one side of the pump and it would not engage I switched sides and it engaged immediately. Crazy Tractor Lady

Are you absolutely sure it was diesel fuel that you put into your tractor?