Kubota Grand L 4240 likely filled with gasoline instead of diesel

[mcashman]

Had a gallon or so in the tank of my Grand L 4240 and refilled from my yellow can and went back to moving snow. After some work, tractor started to smoke and lose power. I thought it might be gasoline was in the diesel can so I limped it back to the garage and shut it down so it would be somewhere it could be worked on (admittedly terrified of pushing it).

Is this something that can be dealt with by draining and refilling the fuel tank? If so, how can that be done - is this a gravity feed where I can drain by detaching the fuel line and running it into a fuel container? If not, I imagine it goes to the dealer tomorrow or the next day.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[s219]

Can you smell the fuel and verify? The fuel can, even if empty now, should still reek of gas if it was filled with gas.

Could have just as easily been bad diesel, or diesel with water in it, or diesel with some solids in it (possibly had gelled up due to cold). Just my impression that if you didn't really know what was in the can, it may have been some old neglected diesel (maybe even summer blend) that has not aged well with the recent cold weather. Unless you are 100% sure the diesel was treated with anti-gel, that may just as likely be the problem.

 

[TomSeller]

Agree with S219. You need to determine if it was gas or diesel. If gas, it may not be that bad if you limped it back, but what you will need to do at this point may be different. What was the source of the fuel in the yellow can?

 

[Katahdin]

Most tractors you should be able to pump out the fuel. Just remove the fuel filter so the fuel can escape, then turn the ignition key to the accessory position so the fuel pump gets power and run it until the tank is dry.