leaky fuel tank

RancherSam · Jun 8, 2008

Got a few hours of bush hogging done, and just as I was parking the tractor for the night I hear this drip. I look under the tractor and it looks like fuel. Apparently I have a fuel leak at a 178 hrs. Is this kind of thing common? I didn't hit anything. Apparently there is drain valve of some sort at the bottom of the tank that's leaking fuel, that's my guess so far ( I could only get a few minutes of looking as it was getting dark ). Of course, the valve is hard to see and even harder to get to. I think I'll have to take out the tank to get to it. Fun fun while I've got all this work to do, and no time. I'll take any suggestions or words of advice from anyone, I'm a beginner at this.

Eagleview · Jun 8, 2008

Ive done the same thing on my tractor . The mower threw a stone and cracked the Poly tank . I welded it up using a soldering iron , was a crack 4" long in a star shape and has never given a problem since . Also check the tap , it may have been struck with a stick etc .

3RRL · Jun 9, 2008

What does the drain valve look like?
Mine has a petcock that started leaking and I was able to tighten it. That's all it took to stop the leak.

Soundguy · Jun 9, 2008

Like the others said.. find out if it is a tap that is leaking.. a pinhole / chip.. or a threaded portion the tap screws into then post back.

soundguy

RancherSam · Jun 9, 2008

i took a closer look today, and the leak is out of the drain valve, which is possibly the hardest thing to get to on the loader. The only way I can even got to it is if I remove a 1 1/2 in. bolt that holds the loader on. The possibility of moving the fuel tank is nill, it's pretty well in the belly of the beast. Another day spent with diesel fuel dripping all over me.

3RRL · Jun 9, 2008

Oh man, that sucks.
You'd a thought they'd have it in a better location to get to.
Hopefully there's some way to tighten it up and fix that leak.
Good lick with that.

RedDirt · Jun 10, 2008

Sometimes sacrificing a tool can gain access to an otherwise impossible spot. I once torch bent a pair of channel locks to do a similar awkward job then tapped the "L" bend of the pliers with a hammer. If you don't have a cheepo wrench/pliers to loose, and you have the chance, pick one up at an auto parts store, Wally World, HF, etc.