Large block of solid fuel in my tank, blocking pickup

[beenthere]

Bill
How about a pic of that riggin? Sounds clever

 

[WilliamTO-35]

beenthere- Thanks for your interest in my fuel tank. Unfortunately, I'm one of those computer challenged people who has successfully posted photos on a forum only once in 12 years. I suppose I should break down and learn, maybe tomorrow. Or the next day.

 

[k0ua]

beenthere- Thanks for your interest in my fuel tank. Unfortunately, I'm one of those computer challenged people who has successfully posted photos on a forum only once in 12 years. I suppose I should break down and learn, maybe tomorrow. Or the next day.

you could start here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/188503-tutorial-using-photos-avatars-tractorbynet.html


it is easy and fun!
James K0UA

 

[EE_Bota]

Some more good suggestions-

Dave- The wire idea is great, but the material is so hard I don't think I could get enough torque on it without breaking the wire. I've have thought about attaching it to a battery and making it a hot wire, but insulating it to prevent a short would not be trivial. I'm also somewhat paranoid about an fire.

I know you have removed the debris, but for general information to all members, the method CurlyDave mentioned is viable using Gigli wire, which may be obtained from most vets, especially large animal vets.

Gigli Saw Wire

It is ordinarily used to saw bone, usually blind.

 

[Zephrant]

One last update- I've not put hours on the tractor yet, but each time I've had it out (15 minute runs or so) it has run flawless. So I'm hoping I'm done with this particular issue.

My next issue is that while my tractor was down, I dug out and mounted the 7' blade on the Wagoneer. Now I enjoy being inside (warm, dry) and plowing with a bigger blade more than I enjoy running the tractor.

Thanks again for all the help-

 

[Jerry/MT]

I have a 2210 that I bought used 2 years ago. I've been having fuel issues today- the fuel filter glass fills up with air, and the engine dies. Sometimes I can go 15 minutes, sometimes less than 5.

I cleaned the filter (I'll get a new one on Monday), with no change. So I started looking at the tank. I drained it (drained VERY slow), and found a solid block of crap in the bottom. About 1" thick, the size of the tank, and SOLID. It actually rattles around when I shake the tank. It is so hard I can't even chip it with a screwdriver.

The temp is around 32f, so I don't think it is solid diesel, although it is a diesel yellow color, with some nasty brown mixed in.

Any ideas on how to get that out of there? Can I dissolve it with something? Gasoline maybe? I can't get my hand in the fill hole, and it is a once piece plastic tank.

Thanks for any suggestions-

I'm not going to read through all these comments so maybe what I have to say ihas all ready been said My apologies if that is the case.

That block is ice! Take the tank inside where it's warm and let that stuff melt and get rid of it. Water gets into the fuel via condensation and that's why there are generally drains on the water separator/fuel filter(s). You can minimize the condensation of water in the tank by keeping ithe tank full. You can't stop it, you can only minimize it.
Before the cold weather gets here, change your filter(s) and drain your water separator before and after every use. Use something to disperse the water so it doesn't sit in the tank bottom and freeze(PS White, etc). This will alllow the filter to pickup the water and it will freeze there if it's cold enough but as you found out,it harder to deal with ice at the tank out outlet. If the filter freezes you can much more easily replace it and get going again. Always keep a spare fuel filter on the shelf.

 

[spruce Deere]

Some more good suggestions-

Dave- The wire idea is great, but the material is so hard I don't think I could get enough torque on it without breaking the wire. I've have thought about attaching it to a battery and making it a hot wire, but insulating it to prevent a short would not be trivial. I'm also somewhat paranoid about an fire.

Leaving it in there may be the best idea- if I flip the block upside down, it no longer blocks the outlet and might be fine. But I'm too OCD to do that- I could not stand the idea of that block in there, waiting for the best time to strand me on the tractor by plugging the outlet, or breaking off a piece to clog the line.

When it burns it leaves a black carbon residue, a little like charred plastic. It does light pretty easily (about like diesel would), and sustains a smoky flame.

I'm heading out to do battle with it soon- I don't have an air nibbler, but I'm going to try the hammer/screwdriver, pruning shears, and whatever else I can get though the 2.5" neck hole.

Well..... dont think its ice, Judging by the third paragraph anyhow. Ice does not sustain a smokey flame

 

[Don87]

I'm not going to read through all these comments so maybe what I have to say ihas all ready been said My apologies if that is the case.

That block is ice! Take the tank inside where it's warm and let that stuff melt and get rid of it. Water gets into the fuel via condensation and that's why there are generally drains on the water separator/fuel filter(s). You can minimize the condensation of water in the tank by keeping ithe tank full. You can't stop it, you can only minimize it.
Before the cold weather gets here, change your filter(s) and drain your water separator before and after every use. Use something to disperse the water so it doesn't sit in the tank bottom and freeze(PS White, etc). This will alllow the filter to pickup the water and it will freeze there if it's cold enough but as you found out,it harder to deal with ice at the tank out outlet. If the filter freezes you can much more easily replace it and get going again. Always keep a spare fuel filter on the shelf.

Shoulda read the thread before posting.:thumbsup:

Glad to hear you got it all sorted out, Zephrant.