has your PT spilled gas?

[miles2go]

In the arid West fire safety is always a concern.

For that reason my preference is generally for diesel tractors, but the gas-powered PT appear to have an edge in price and ease of maintenance -- especially since there is no dealer available to pick up the PT for service.

Anyone have experience with the gasoline engine PT spilling fuel (or not) during operation or tipping?

 

[KentT]

I haven't had problems with spilled gas on my older Kohler-powered 425 -- I just fill it to about 4" below the top, so there's no danger of it spilling.

Pictures Engine Compartment -- Mossroad's PT-425

The newer Robin-powered ones are similar.

The large (5 gallon) tank is translucent, so you can see the level of the gas at all times. One morning fill-up will run until lunch-time, then refill it for the afternoon. It consumes between 1 and 1.5 gallons per hour, based on throttle setting and how hard it's being used.

 

[Phils]

Haven't yet had a problem with spilled gas. I keep the level at least 4" below the gas filler so that if I get on some steep ground, I shouldn't have any worry.

As far as tipping the PT over, I've been on some extremely steep terrain and not yet had the feeling that it was nearing the "tip over" point. The articulation (both ways) keeps the tires on the ground. I've had a little trailer I was pulling roll over but even then the PT stayed stable. Took a little effort to take the twist out of the trailer's pull bar.

I have come to the conclusion that the PT will stand steeper terrain than my nerves. That would be a good thing.

Phil

 

[Phils]

Miles2go,

As you have a similar fire danger problem, note that the Supertrap muffler I installed on my PT is also an approved spark arrestor. That thread with a photo is here (if the link doesn't work, the thread was "A Quieter PT422" posted 11/17/04): SuperTrap muffler

If it hadn't quieted the machine noticebly, it would have still been worth it to me for the extra spark protection.

Early on I was concerned about the hot exhaust blowing straight down on dry leaves and pine needles. One small glowing piece of carbon and I'd have a real problem during our fire season. Worse would likely be that it'd happen as I was traversing a woodland trail and not notice any fire until it was WAY too late.

The only thing mildly bad about this arrangement is the black exhaust that discolors the tub by the muffler. But since I don't keep mine very clean (and DEFINITELY not as clean as MossRoad's) it hasn't been a real concern.

Phil

 

[pajoube]

I have the 425 that has the gas tank inside the lid. I have never spilled any gas even with some very rough hill side climbing.
The 425 is very low slung, you would have to be on some very steep hillside to even come close to going on its side. Now the "PT PUCKER FACTOR" is one you will watch. That is when you are lifting something very heavy and lift the rear wheels off the ground.. That is a time you could put it on its side. Roll over? going to be really hard to do.
PJ

 

[catsco]

Yes, it spills regularly BIG TIME.

Pressure builds up in the tank, and I have had what I consider very dangerous 'geysers' of gasoline spewing out of the tank.

PT sent a different cap (vented) which made the problem constant rather than only when opening the cap.

I live at nearly 8,000 feet, and even in the winter, the fuel boils furiously when pressure is released. In the summer, I'm afraid to remove the cap until everything has cooled.

My PT is about 2 yrs. old, and has the steel fuel tank that is built into the cover.

This happens even when the tank is only 1/3 full. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

PT is totally unconcerned.

I believe that the problem is a black metal fuel tank a few inches above a very hot running motor as well as solar gain during intense sun, even in the winter.

I posted a message about this about a year ago.

Mark H.

 

[BobRip]

I was at PT a few weeks ago and they had gone back to the plastic tank. I wonder if you just stated the reason.

Bob Rip

 

[toy]

My gas cap seeped out gas as I was running it until about 3 or 4 months ago I got another fuel cap and it seems to have cured the problem. I wish my tank had s screw on type cap instead of the one it has with the two ears.

 

[tracdoc]

I had a small "issue" with my gas tank this past Fall. No leaks, but I could smell lots of fumes, especially when backing up and head turned rearward catching the fumes blowing forward into the operator's seat. Turns out that the cork gasket which seals the filler neck to the plastic tank had deteriorated. I replaced it and sealed it with a gasoline resistant gasket sealer, and problem was solved. I think this was more of a wear/tear phenom, not any defect per se.

BTW, there is a decal on the tanks with a max fill line printed on it. That line is ~6+" below filler neck. When working on rough terrain, I usually fill slightly below that, to minimize fuel splashing against the neck.

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yes, it spills regularly BIG TIME.

Pressure builds up in the tank, and I have had what I consider very dangerous 'geysers' of gasoline spewing out of the tank.

I live at nearly 8,000 feet, and even in the winter, the fuel boils furiously when pressure is released. In the summer, I'm afraid to remove the cap until everything has cooled.

My PT is about 2 yrs. old, and has the steel fuel tank that is built into the cover.

This happens even when the tank is only 1/3 full. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I believe that the problem is a black metal fuel tank a few inches above a very hot running motor as well as solar gain during intense sun, even in the winter.)</font>


<font color="red"> I own the same steel gas tank model PT-425, purchased 2/4. It has the original sealing type cap.

After over 250 hours of operation, I have never experienced any gas problems such as you describe! I refuel to within 1" of the tank top with the engine off, the cover closed, and the filler upward. If the engine is hot, slowly opening the gas cap allows any pressure to harmlessly escape. If I should overfill the tank, the extra gas flows across the tank top, down the sides or back, and quickly and harmlessly evaporates.

One of the first jobs that I did to my new PT was to paint the engine cover and canopy with Satin White. My cooling fan is wired to run constantly.

Even when this photo was taken, gas leakage was not a problem.

</font>

 

[SnowRidge]

My fuel tank seeped when I first got my PT-425. At least one of the screws holding the filler neck was missing and one or two were stripped out. Also, the neck mounting flange area on the tank itself had been ground down unevenly. All around, it was pretty shoddy assembly work by somebody. I contacted PT and they blamed the tank vendor, but did not offer to repair or replace the tank.

I fixed it myself with through bolts and sealant, but it took modifying a wrench to work inside the tank and several hours to do the job.

On my machine, the fuel line comes off the bottom of the tank and there is no shutoff valve. I would fit one myself, but there isn't enough clearance. Current machines may have room. It would also be nice to have an automatic tip over gas shutoff.

Because the tank is mounted fairly high and has a top mounted filler cap, it is difficult to refuel without spilling a bit of gas, especially if the operator uses a five gallon or bigger can. I always let the machine cool for at least 15 minutes before refueling.

The last I knew, PT was supplying PT-425s, and perhaps the other gasoline powered models, with an external PT built muffler. I suspect that the muffler will easily get hot enough to ignite dry grass. The internal PT built muffler that came with my machine certainly did.

 

[MossRoad]

Snowridge, I forgot which model tank you have... the metal one that is under the hood or the metal one that is part of the hood?

I have the plastic one and it will seep if you fill it closer than 3-4 inches from the top and then run over rough ground or do lots of stop/start. It is also a tad hard to fill, especially if my 6 gallon cans are full. Those can get a bit heavy. I use a really large funnel with a screen in the neck and that helps with not having to be so accurate with the gas can nozzle.

I am tempted to build a small shelf on the backside of my garage that is a couple inches higher than the fuel tank. Then I could just set the gas can on that and use a cheap siphon with a hand squeeze ball to fill the tank. Sounds easier on my back. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[SnowRidge]

It's the plastic tank. It looks exactly the same at the one in the current model. We don't fill up to the neck either. That will guaranty seepage through the cap vent.

I've often thought about setting up a refueling tank on a stand, but with gasoline you get can into all kinds of insurance/legal issues, if you are not careful. If my PT-425 were diesel, I would have enough usage with both tractors to justify a large diesel tank with delivery from the local farm supplier.

 

[toolz_not_toyz]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
The last I knew, PT was supplying PT-425s, and perhaps the other gasoline powered models, with an external PT built muffler.
)</font>

That's exactly the same layout as the engine compartment in my PT 425. I haven't had any problems with gas seepage but I fill to about 3 or 4" from the top. What's nice about this setup is that I can brace my gas can by resting one foot on top of a rear tire as I pour. Compared to pix of other engine layouts that I've seen (for the PT425) I think this one is the best so far.