has your PT spilled gas?

[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.