Vented Fuel Cap

[Steve IA]

My 3032E has sputtered and stalled the last couple of times I've run it. (temps below freezing). I could pull the fuel line between the tank to 1st filter and have no fuel flow. Before blowing back into the tank would restart the flow. I thought I had a piece of crud or ice in the tank that I would dislodge with the air. Today that didn't help and I discovered that if I loosened the fuel cap the flow returned. After the job I was doing, I took off the cap and took it inside to warm up thinking the vent hole has frozen up. After warming, I breath tested it and could only get air to go out the cap and not in. There is a pin/ball on the tank side of the cap that is not stuck and moves when poked with a wire. If the cap is the sole vent for the fuel tank, then running with a loose cap will work. Anybody else have a similar problem or can shed light on what's up? Thanks
Steve
South IA

 

[beenthere]

At least you have found where your problem is located. Not sure why, or how to fix it..

 

[deerseeker001]

i have a L130 that had the same problem with rough running and cutting out and the vent hole was plugged,took a straight pin and cleaned the whole out and never had that problem again.

 

[MNwoodchuck]

New TBN member here... Had a similar problem with my GX345 last summer. Didn't discover it until I went to refuel and heard the "whoosh" when I loosened the cap. Even caused a partial collapse of the poly fuel tank! Cleaned the vent with a wire and all is fine now.

 

[Dave M7040]

I suspect that the type of flies that build nests with mud may have been trying to use your fuel cap.
They like starting with small holes or open hoses.
I would buy a spray can of carb cleaner with the fine extension tube and use it to flush out the cap vent.
Dave M7040