Oil & Fuel Fuel Shut Off Lever Leak

NMYAN · May 10, 2002

My fuel shut off lever was stuck, so I loosened the small phillips screw above it and it moved to the off position easily as suggested in an earlier post. I noticed when I did this that with the screw loose but not all the way out, that the lever moved in and out a little, when it did this fuel leaked out from the area where the lever goes into the body of the valve. I pushed it back in and tightened the screw, but it is still leaking when the lever is in the open or shut position, not bad just a drip, but it was not leaking before. Did I break some type of seal around the lever and how do I fix it? I have not taken it completely apart yet to see what is inside as I know I will have to bleed the system if all the fuel runs out.

roger_scotty · May 10, 2002

NMYAN, mine leaks too. I know from the parts book that there is a little O ring around the lever, and maybe that is where ours are leaking. Mine only seems to leak a few drops once it is turned off and then it stops. When the lever is in the Off position there is space for a little amount of fuel to be trapped in a spring pocket right behind the fuel shut-off lever. The total amount is less than a quarter of a teaspoon. I've always suspected that it was that fuel that was seeping past my defective O ring after I shut her down.

kayssupply · May 11, 2002

Roger is correct. There is an O ring on the lever shaft. The spring is between it and a tapered valve barrel. If you remove the screw and catch the spring, the barrel will remain inside.

If the valve is hard to turn don't force it. It will brake the lugs on the back of the valve lever off. I usually have to remove the valve lever and use a large screw driver to brake the barrel loose when servicing a tractor for the first time. After that it usually moves freely.

vongiese · May 13, 2002

I pulled my fuel shut-off lever out today - it was hard to turn on/off and would also leak just a drop or 2 when I turned it. AfterI pulled the lever out I used a srewdriver to turn the plastic valve - put it back together and it works smoothly. ANd a little fuel leakes out when I turn it....

roger_scotty · May 13, 2002

"And a little fuel leakes out when I turn it.... "

Mike, that's how mine seem to work when they are working right....

kubmech · May 13, 2002

They should'nt leak like that, may be some new o-rings are in order.

normde2001 · May 13, 2002

I agree, mine doesn't leak and I can't imagine putting up with a leak there under any circumstances. O rings are easy.

gbirky · May 14, 2002

I just replaced the fuel shutoff lever and o-ring on one of my Yanmars. I got the parts from a Yanmar dealer, and cost me about $8 (+shipping) if I remember right.

Greg