HDS 3225 gas odor

Oh_its_Bo · Dec 4, 2004

Hi folks,
I new to the site, I discovered it in my quest for the answer to a gas tank / fuel gauge sending unit problem. I've noticed the odor of gas in my garage after using my HDS 3225 ( about 5 years old ) to do yard work. I narrowed the area down to the gas tank, nothing dripping on the floor, so I took the seat off and discovered leakage around what seems to be the fuel gauge sending unit at the top of the plastic tank. My questions are, 1st - Does anyone know of an easy fix, 2nd - is a sending unit gasket available, 3rd - if not, does anyone know whether or not a new tank would come with a sending unit attached? Parts sources would be a great help. Thanks, Bo from NJ

DmansPadge · Dec 5, 2004

Hey Bo. Give us a little more info. How does the sending unit set in the tank? Is it bolted down? Does it have a retaining ring holding it down? I'm not sure what it looks like. Any which way this should be an easy fix.

Oh_its_Bo · Dec 5, 2004

Thanks for helping , The gas tank is plastic and holds about 5 gallons. At the top of the tank is what I'm calling a sending unit that has 2 wires going to it. This unit seems to be held in place with a rubber grommet, no retaining plate, screws or bolts are visible. I made a simple web page with photos for a better understanding. Thanks, Bo http://www.schoolroadeast.com/cubcadettank

DmansPadge · Dec 5, 2004

I wish I could put my hands on it! Ok... you need to determine whether it's leaking between the sensor (which appears to be rubber and simply pushed in?) and the black ring on the tank, or between the black ring and the tank itself. Or perhaps it's all one unit. Have you taken the sensor out yet? It also appears the black ring it sits in may unscrew or simply pop out. I noticed it had a notch cut out of it like you could unscrew it. If it is leaking between the sensor and the ring, a new sensor would probably cure it. If it is between the ring and tank it is possible that it has a gasket or an o-ring. Replacing either should do the trick. If all else fails... clean the entire area very well with some sort of degreaser (such as a brake cleaner, Simple Green, or something of that nature). Prop the tank to where gas left in the tank can't make contact with the area. Make sure it is completely dry. Then take a tube of clear silicon and run a bead around both the ring/tank contact area and the sensor/ring area. Spray a little WD40 on your finger (or a little spit works ok too! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif) and spread it out evenly. Let it dry for a day or two and you shouldn't have any more trouble. The preferred method would be to replace the leaking part but that would be a cheap fix that should hold up if done correctly. Let me know what you end up doing. If you take it apart and figure out just how it ticks you should be able to get a better idea of what needs to be done. BTW, pretty cool how you threw a website together to post the pics.

I don't have any personal experience with this problem, I'm just trying to come to some logical solution. Maybe some of the other guys on here have had this problem.

Good luck.

Oh_its_Bo · Dec 16, 2004

Here's the Cub Cadet service response.

 Sir,

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Where the fuel sending unit sits in the tank is it flat? Is the surface cradled/bowed in?

If so, the fuel tank will have to be replaced.

Tank, Fuel, 4.5 Gallon Part Number 651-3002

Order a new Grommet Part Number 735-0699

*NOTE* Install the grommet FIRST then install the fuel sending unit. Installing both at the same time will do damage. 

It seems to me that they know that the tank gets distorted in the area in question. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I went ahead and removed the sending unit and grommet, cleaned all surfaces real good with alcohol and applied a small bead of clear silicone around the inside and outside surface of the grommet and outside surface of the sending unit where it meets the grommet and reinstalled. I let things sit over night, tested the next day and now it's as tight as drum.

Thanks for the help! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DmansPadge · Dec 17, 2004

( Here's the Cub Cadet service response.


It seems to me that they know that the tank gets distorted in the area in question. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I went ahead and removed the sending unit and grommet, cleaned all surfaces real good with alcohol and applied a small bead of clear silicone around the inside and outside surface of the grommet and outside surface of the sending unit where it meets the grommet and reinstalled. I let things sit over night, tested the next day and now it's as tight as drum.

Thanks for the help! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Glad it worked out for you. That might not be a permenant fix but I'd let it ride until then.