Oil & Fuel here's a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

anthonyk · May 22, 2005

here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

Well... today being a beautiful day I decided to catch up on some brush hog work. I had been happily tractoring for about 3 hours when I noticed that my fuel gauge was below E. (Being the diligent tractor person that I am, I actually check such things once in while /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) Now, since I had just put about 7 gallons in before starting, I thought that was pretty surprising. I then drove over to my fuel depot (that's three 5 gallon plastic cans), but as I removed the fuel cap I noticed a pretty substantial amount of fuel running onto the ground. After a few minutes of checking I pinpointed the leakage as coming from around the base of the clear fuel filter housing. I had this happen once before on my old Massey 135 and it was just a bad gasket ring. However, after removing the case, I was surprised to see that it was not glass like the massey but plastic, and that the case itself was cracked. The inner ring had actually seperated from the body and fuel was literally squirting out. Now there's no way this unit could be bumped as that part is protected inside the body panel area.
Repair will be a snap, and should only cost a couple of bucks for the replacement, but I was wondering if this is a common problem? The diesel was literally squirting all over the side of the hot engine.
Anybody else run into this one?

anthony /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

hkhaven · Jul 4, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

I experienced that problem last month with my 3510. Lost 5-6 gal of fuel by the time I saw it. Yanmar makes a glass replacement. I suppose I should have go that way but, I replaced the plastic one. As when I replaced the fuel filter I had mistakenly used Carberator cleaner to the "glass" bowl and melted it somewhat and made it brittle. If the replacement breaks, I'll put a glass one on it.

FrankenmuthTom · Jul 6, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

There have been issues in the past, where the fuel filter assembly was rubbing on an oil line that runs behind it and would cause the bowl to break along the top. I was working on an old 4020 last week, and had to replace a bowl for that very reason. So, to resolve that issue, I put a couple washers behind the housing on the bolt to hold the bowl off the oil line. You might look for a similar kind of obstruction behind yours.

Good Luck,

Tractor Tom

depratt_equip · Jul 7, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

Have seen this a couple times. The replacement is a Yanmar plastic bowl. It has a thicker lip at the top. You don't really see glass being used anymore on new tractors for the fuel bowls. We have replaced a few on some older centurys. This would be something warranty will cover so it shouldn't cost you anything.

colestin · Jul 11, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

I hope it's okay if I jump in here with a very related question. I was contemplating my first fuel filter change (Branson 3510, 50 hours) and noticed how close the fuel lines run to that plastic bulb. After a ginger attempt to loosen the collar I gave up, deciding to ask here on the forum:

What kind of tool do you use to loosen the collar?

depratt_equip · Jul 11, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

the first time it is pretty tight, in the past i have used a flat bladed screw driver and placed it on one of the tabs then pecked at it with the hammer to get it to turn. You might aso try a large set of channel locks.

colestin · Jul 11, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

I'll tap with the screwdriver -- looks like I need bigger tools all around, now that I have a tractor.

Thanks!

JM_OBRIEN · Jul 21, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

Anybody know where I can get a replacement glass or even thicker plastic filter case? Somone said Yanmar makes a replacement but does anyone know a part no. for it or is it a basic filter case? First post, tractor and even my first broken fuel filter case. Thanks!

FrankenmuthTom · Jul 22, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Anybody know where I can get a replacement glass or even thicker plastic filter case? Somone said Yanmar makes a replacement but does anyone know a part no. for it or is it a basic filter case? First post, tractor and even my first broken fuel filter case. Thanks! )</font>

The Yanmar part is 121254-55510. It is a milky plastic and seems a bit more flexible than the Branson Part. The Branson part is HA13050000A4 and is clear plastic and a bit 'stiffer' than the yanmar bowl.

I can provide either part, for retail price plus shipping. Should be able to get this part from any Yanmar or Branson dealer in your area.

JM_OBRIEN · Jul 25, 2005

Re: here\'s a first, a cracked fuel filter case!

How much would it be for each, shipped to Pineville, LA 71360. You can e-mail if you rather at JM_OBRIEN@YAHOO.COM. Thanks for your reply!

Jon