How Does One Get Out the Screen Which Fell Into the Fuel Tank, B7500?

[Milo]

There was a plastic insert screen at the filler on my tractor and it's not there any longer. My hunch is the nozzle of the fuel can punched it into the tank when I was refilling. I noticed the fuel gauge doesn't drop any farther than 1/2 tank so I'm thinking the insert is interfering with the float. I tried using a hooked piece of wire to snag it but no luck. Any suggestions? Removing the tank (if it would help) doesn't look real easy as it sits back toward the dash.

 

[CobyRupert]

Can you see it in the tank? Shouldn't it float?

 

[Tollster]

Is it stainless or ferromagnetic? Perhaps a magnet will get it close to pull out with needle nose, you may also be able to drag it up towards the nozzle with the magnet outside the tank..

 

[smstonypoint]

Just thinking out loud.

How about parking your tractor on a relatively steep slope? If the insert is not snagged, it should make its way downhill and narrow your search area. You could use one of these tools to retrieve the insert once you locate it:Stanley Proto J2345 Proto 23-1/2-Inch Flexible Retrieving and Holding Tool - Amazon.com.

I doubt whether the insert is going to cause any problems, but I would make an effort to retrieve it if I was in your shoes.

Steve

 

[Milo]

No I can't see it. It's a round, rigid black plastic screen that was pressed in the filler neck I guess to catch debris or large contaminates. Now it's down inside the irregular shaped also black plastic fuel tank which seems to have a float mechanism and fuel pick up complicating things down at the bottom. Do they make a mini flexible camera with a light (and a grabber) that can be submerged in fuel?

 

[Milo]

Just thinking out loud.

How about parking your tractor on a relatively steep slope? If the insert is not snagged, it should make its way downhill and narrow your search area. You could use one of these tools to retrieve the insert once you locate it:Stanley Proto J2345 Proto 23-1/2-Inch Flexible Retrieving and Holding Tool - Amazon.com.

I doubt whether the insert is going to cause any problems, but I would make an effort to retrieve it if I was in your shoes.

Steve

Here we go, maybe this Inspection Camera - Save on this Digital Inspection Camera along with the grabber? No it's not causing any real problem at this point, I just can't trust the fuel gauge. It stayed around 1/2 for a long time finally I thought something's wrong and filled it, it took about 4 gallons (the tank only holds 5). Once filled it goes to full.

 

[smstonypoint]

Here we go, maybe this Inspection Camera - Save on this Digital Inspection Camera along with the grabber? No it's not causing any real problem at this point, I just can't trust the fuel gauge. It stayed around 1/2 for a long time finally I thought something's wrong and filled it, it took about 4 gallons (the tank only holds 5). Once filled it goes to full.

It looks like that camera has a "length" of less than 8 inches -- I don't think it would help. The easy way out is to just top off your full tank after every use -- or during the course of the day under continuous use.

Steve

 

[Milo]

It looks like that camera has a "length" of less than 8 inches....
Steve

Steve it looks to be around 2' long in the video at the link but he also mentions it being water resistant, not waterproof. I'm doing as you suggest taking the easy way out but this means sometimes making a special trip when my fuel can is empty to top off the tractor. I'll see what the dealer suggests next time I'm by.

 

[/pine]

A mechanics mirror (similar to a dentists but extendable) and a penlight should let you see the position of the strainer...which should give you enough perspective to use a stiff wire to fish the screen close to the opening...however you may have a time getting it out of an opening that it was pressed into...?

 

[Mendonsy]

Hmmmm ..... my B7500 never had one. I guess that's a good thing!

 

[smstonypoint]

Steve it looks to be around 2' long in the video at the link but he also mentions it being water resistant, not waterproof. I'm doing as you suggest taking the easy way out but this means sometimes making a special trip when my fuel can is empty to top off the tractor. I'll see what the dealer suggests next time I'm by.

OK, I had NoSripts on and didn't see the picture of the camera and cable.

Steve

 

[creekbend]

Could you siphon most of the fuel out of the tank, thus allowing a better chance of recovery? Please don't forget to add the fuel back before attempting start up.Best wishes.

 

[Lou66]

go fishing with the smallest hook you can buy, steal or borrow.. on the end of a stick, pole or rod.. Lou

 

[sixdogs]

Maybe run it out of fuel and get a flashlight and one of those flexible tools that has retractable metal fingers on the end.

 

[grsthegreat]

I lost the plastic spout off my 5 gal fuel can. plopped right off and fell in tank. couldnt see a thing.

I ran the tractor nearly dry and borrowed an inspection camera for a friend. his was limited to 24".

I tried but couldnt see a thing. Try as i might, nothing.

That was over 1-1/2 years ago. Not sure if ill ever get it out. I could try removing all the floats, fuel lines, etc and try again, but access is an issue.

Rental companies around me rent these cameras. Maybe yours do also. you could start with that.

 

[MikeInEburg]

If I wanted it out that much, I'd run the tractor until the fuel was low then simply remove the tank, and dump it into a pan. Yes, you'd be into a couple of hours, but it's a fairly sure bet using tools you likely already own.

 

[Milo]

Thanks guys, you've convinced me to leave it there for the time being at least. I'll think about pulling the tank sometime when I need an afternoon project. Meanwhile I'm thinking of running it across the bumpy field at top speed, maybe that'll dislodge it?

 

[Gary Fowler]

The nozzle came off my fuel hose once and fell into the tank and I couldn't see it with the tank full of red diesel. I waited till it was nearly empty then fished it out with a couple of pieces of cane by moving it around and jamming two of them into the pipe. It was too large to use one of the grabber thingies, although that should work for the strainer at least to get it up to the neck so you can grab it with some long needle nose pliers.
My daughter got me one of those camera remote things for Christmas a couple of year ago. It has about 18-24" of reach and should help you see it. I think HF has them for $69 on sale occasionally. It wont be of any use in getting the screen out, but may help you find it. You should be able to see it with a good and bright LED flashlight without the aid of the camera though, that is IF it is in the tank.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Can you see it in the tank? Shouldn't it float?

I don't think they float. I remove mine to fill my tank and it sinks back down in the neck full of fuel when I replace it. The may be magnetic even though it may be of stainless as some stainless is ferro-magnetic. The one in my LS and B26 is black plastic housing with white plastic mesh but my old 1984 Yanmar had one made of wire mesh.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

This is how I got mine out!:laughing: