Spout fell in fuel tank, can't get it out - OK to use tractor?

[RoyJackson]

does it have a catch screen in it?

Yes, it does have a screen.

The wide mouth diameter is about 8 inches (give or take). The screen is at the bottom where it necks down to an inch (give or take) diameter.
That necked down diameter doesn't slow the flow too much either, so 5 gallons can flow reasonably fast.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Thanks for all the advice so far! Seems like the general consensus is it will not do a great deal of harm...

Once you run the tractor low on fuel (or drain the tank), use a flash light and inspection mirror (use a couple wire ties to strap the mirror to your wrist...leave it loose enough on your wrist to cut off, but not so loose it'll slip over your hand) to locate the spout...then you should be able to fish it out with those mechanical fingers (tool you bought).
Worst thing that could happen that I can think of (until you get it out) is the fuel level float might get jammed up. I doubt there would be any real damage though.

We went out and bought a flexible inspection mirror today...Will try that.

I have got to ask this sorry: Why are you all still using the fuel spouts when there have been so many posts about them falling into the gas tank? Every since these enviromental fuel cans came out is when all this started with the silly slip on spouts that always fall off sooner or later.

Actually, I never had any problem with the spouts on the newer cans...This was an older can with a screw-on spout...

question- which part of the spout did it fall in? The whole thing?

Another question- Why did you drain it since the BX has a irregular shaped tank? I would've filled it 3/4's full and THEN feel around for the spout. Its plastic after all, it might float- but then this post might show my ignorance- I havent tried to see if plastic will float in oil like it does with water.

Yup, the whole thing. Yeah, we are going to try to fill it some and then tilt the tractor to float it over.

 

[k0ua]

Actually, I never had any problem with the spouts on the newer cans...This was an older can with a screw-on spout...

Sorry, I just figured it was one of those enviro spouts that so many of the guys have had trouble with.. That is what I get for jumping to conclusions!

James K0UA

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Sorry, I just figured it was one of those enviro spouts that so many of the guys have had trouble with.. That is what I get for jumping to conclusions!

James K0UA

No problem.

 

[SideHillBill]

I bought a garden tractor for parts from an owner who said it wouldn't run right. It ran fine sometimes but then would stall and wouldn't start.

When I dumped the old gas, out came a little plastic piece that came off a plastic fuel can.

Whether your tractor has problems or not, it might be best to retrieve the spout, for your peace of mind, if nothing else. By the way, it's now 8 yrs later and I still use the garden tractor - runs great without the little plastic fuel tank plugger!

 

[RoyJackson]

Actually, I never had any problem with the spouts on the newer cans...This was an older can with a screw-on spout...

Sorry, I just figured it was one of those enviro spouts that so many of the guys have had trouble with.. That is what I get for jumping to conclusions!

James K0UA

James, even though, in this case it was an older can...you did bring up a good point about those push on spouts. No doubt in my military mind, folks have dropped them in tanks as you described.

 

[Gonerafting]

James, even though, in this case it was an older can...you did bring up a good point about those push on spouts. No doubt in my military mind, folks have dropped them in tanks as you described.

I had one drop into my tank as described the new cans are slow to drain and yes I should have pushed the spout on tighter. Since then, I've installed vents into the cans.

 

[grsthegreat]

Look at the bright side.... I once installed a turbine pump at a new Chevron gas station, and when the inspector leaned over the hole, his cell phone fell out of his pocket and went to the bottom of a filled 5,000 gal unleaded fuel tank.

We all laughed, and I asked him for his cell phone number .. so i could call his phone and see if the tank would explode HEHE

He flipped me off.

 

[Mark Page]

Don't think I would worry too much about it. If she starts acting like she's starved for fuel it meas you can locate it on or near the pick up spot.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day doubt it will give you any grief I recently had the tank out of a machine here and the owner ( 2nd one ) asked if i could get the plastic spout out he dropped in there 3 or 4 years earlier, he was most surprised when i found 3 as he swears he had only ever lost one. Prob came from the prev owner some 10+ years prior



Jon

 

[oldballs]

I've been using the funnel/filter method like Roy. And "Yes", I tend to overfill on occasion because I can't see the fill level, but am getting better at it. The filter that I use was from gemplers.com. It is suppose to remove water and dirt. The residue is poured into a gallon jug that is saved to start brush fires. Also the shape of the funnel is such that it seals the lip of the tank. Thus I have made a gizmo (a coil of #9 wire) to lift the funnel so air can escape as fuel enters. I don't have any of the "enviro" 5 gallon jugs, but thought this method would have some efficiency and speed.

 

[George2615]

Didn't read all the posts but I had luck using a flexible grabber tool. HF sells them for about 3 bucks.

 

[grsthegreat]

Didn't read all the posts but I had luck using a flexible grabber tool. HF sells them for about 3 bucks.

i have the same flex grabber tool, but my tank is l shaped and you cant see to the bottom at all. i tried reaching in with that tool and it hits alot of different things..... im afraid to pull the wrong thing (floats, feeder tubes, whatever)

 

[RoyJackson]

i have the same flex grabber tool, but my tank is l shaped and you cant see to the bottom at all. i tried reaching in with that tool and it hits alot of different things..... im afraid to pull the wrong thing (floats, feeder tubes, whatever)

That's where a flashlight and inspection mirror come in handy...just don't drop them in the tank as well.
A borescope would be nice...but they're a bit pricey.

 

[grsthegreat]

That's where a flashlight and inspection mirror come in handy...just don't drop them in the tank as well.

Not in the tank that Kioti provides Roy. You look in the top and theres a 5" drop molded into the tank, then it turns left to the main part of the tank that holds about 8 gal of fuel. No way a mirror will work.

Im getting closer to borrowing an inspection camera...then ill get the little bugger.

Ill be using a filtered funnel from now on.

 

[RoyJackson]

Im getting closer to borrowing an inspection camera...then ill get the little bugger.

Ill be using a filtered funnel from now on.

Yeah, that's a borescope. They're expensive, but not near as expensive as they once were.
But, borrowing one is definitely the way to go

 

[grsthegreat]

Yeah, that's a borescope. They're expensive, but not near as expensive as they once were.
But, borrowing one is definitely the way to go

there $300 new..... im too cheep to spend that. So borrowing one is the only way i can do it.

And im too lazy to pull the tank..its a major job. I asked my dealer....he told me after he stopped laughing

 

[Jimnfireman]

Been carrying one around for about 6 months in the tank of my JD 4100. No problems. I like the "little tractor" solution. Just pick it up and shake it....

 

[psdx]

Try a flashlight and one of those pickup tools that has the fingers that pop out when you push the button. Mine is flexible and works well if you can see directly or with a mirror. I have used it to recover from something much worse than this....

 

[silvertramp]

Three years ago I was going thru a new to me '79 Goldwing. I fished a spout out of the gas tank. It didn't effect anything & could've been there for decades.