Archive through October 17, 2012

[jchamberlin]

Matt (& Harry): The same thought occurred to me, but I have a fuel filter in-line, so I'm chalking it up to the fuel not being able to get through the filter until it more-or-less siphons itself in. I'm also not very patient when I run out of gas in the middle of a mowing session, which might have something to do with it.

I noticed where Kraig McConaughey ran a solid line from the tank to the carb, and I might go with that setup.

I have the fuel bowl that wasn't supposed to have been installed originally, and which I've replaced with like kind from Charlie (the quality of his piece was better than my "original"), although I'm not sure what purpose it serves, other than to trap large, heavy junk from the tank (which the sieve on the alternative style tank outlet would probably do a better job of trapping anyway.

I'm open to suggestions.

Frank: The more I see of that 169, the better it looks! Awesome score, no, "EPIC" is the word, I think.

 

[jsalatino]

Harry...Yes my 104 has the glass bowl /filter on it as of right now. I do have everything to change it over to a inline filter&shutoff. No matter what I do,it still wants to have a slight leak. I've replaced orings & added orings. lol Probably going to chage that out in the next month or so,also rebuild the carb and put a bushing in it. I like bein able to take my time and not have to hurry up and get it done so you can get back to work. its my main gt i use. I also check the gas & oil everytime I start it.just a habbit

 

[mhomrighausen]

Frank C. I've got a 147. Mine is a non runner either however the engine is supposed to in great shape. May be this weekend I can get it up and running. I'll get some pictures. since Ottumwa Plow Day is cancelled maybe i can get the little fella up and running. the tractor is pretty much complete except for the grille screen and electric lift.

Charlie was here!

 

[jbaker]

Marlin your dancing around Charlies rule about sale/wanted by using the term trade....

Isn,t Ryan a lot closer than Frank for a 169 deal, plus he should have several to chose from

So was I correct on the keys for our cubs yesterday when answering Bills question..

Frank looking at your 169 serial number it looks to be one of the last ones built as that number is a mid October 74 buld date..

 

[hydroharry]

Gerry - good point about going down hill, and I suspect that little lip on the tank outlet shutoff valve is more likely to keep the crud out.

Jeremiah - I agree with Matt that you are getting some type of vapor lock up, and I suspect it's do to your inline filter.

Jonathan - sounds like you already decided to change the fuel bowl out to a inline filter and shut off do to the leak, but are you sure the leak isn't from the bottom of the tank itself? The original soldered outlet fitting (I guess it's originally soldered together) is known to crack loose.

Now, I think it's about time to get some pics posted of the fuel lines, at least on some 1x8/1x9 units. I'm gonna say there is supposed to be a slight arc up before it reaches the bend to the carb (or maybe I should say it originally had the arc). Jeff, can you get us some pics of a couple of yours?

 

[wshytle]

I don't understand all of this concern over the fuel lines. The older models with the sediment bowl had their design which I think works well. It has a filter/screen and the bowl for sediment. The later models have the screen located inside the tank and work well. The latter cost about $10 should it stop functioning. Both have a shut off. Neither system was designed to use an inline filter and I don't see the need for it myself. Both work by way of good ole gravity and I've never seen or heard any instruction of having an upward arc in the fuel line before the carb.

I guess I'm just curious as to what all the talk is about. If fuel isn't getting to the carb then there's a problem somewhere that needs attention period.

 

[bbranstetter]

I used to fight fuel bowl leaks all the time. I finally tossed the neoprene gasket that was in the tractor when I got it and changed it back over to the old cork gaskets. I soak them in gas for an hour or two and install them. Most of my gaskets go for several seasons with no leaks. Not sure why but they really do well when you get them soaked through first. Does any one else do that, I don't even remember how I stumbled on to that to be honest.

 

[jchamberlin]

Wayne: Until you have a problem, everything is fine; but when the fuel delivery system isn't working right, and you've got gas all over the tractor and/or yourself; or the battery is run down because you've cranked the engine too much, and you're looking at either having to take the battery out or push the hydrostatic tractor across the yard, THEN the issue of fuel delivery gets your attention!

I can't speak for others, but after spending several hours cleaning out my metal gas tank with muriatic acid --and getting a LOT of rust out of it, I'm not about to risk injury to my engine by running a line unprotected from tank to carb. I also find that trash has a way of getting into the tanks I fill at the gas station --I don't know how. I've pulled pine needles out of them before. I need reasonable assurance that my fuel is free of contaminants and crud.

I think Harry is right, we need pictures. If an inline filter is used, I think it might make a difference where it is installed. The problem I might be having with my setup is that the filter is installed in the "upward bend" of the line from the tank. As I said earlier, I'm not sure but what the carburetor bowl isn't somewhat "siphon-fed." I imagine, that after I run the tank dry the fuel in my tank can't fill the filter (in its current location) enough so that the outlet side can get its siphon action going to assist the fuel flow to the bowl. That's my theory, at least.

Kraig has posted some really nice pictures of the setup on either his Original or his 125 (the paint was fresh) with the copper tubing from tank to bowl. I'll snap some pictures of the 149 tomorrow.

The irony is that when I bought the 149 it leaked fuel non-stop as soon as you put it in the tank, no matter what you did --couldn't keep the gas in the tank overnight, even with the worthless shut-off valve cranked tight. I eventually discovered that the previous owner's installation of clear tubing, while helpful in diagnostics, would NOT seal at the clamped connections. Replaced the clear tubing with rubber hose and have had no more leaks!

 

[dgallagher]

Just a comment on the fuel filters-I now have a kohler filter on all 5 of my Cub Cadets. With ethanol gas, there seems to be a residue of rubber, probably from the fuel lines, that settles in the bottom of the fuel bowls. Eventually this causes problems. I have now put filters on all of mine and it seems to have helped, although, I still get some as the line from the filter to the carb is not filtered.

 

[hydroharry]

Wayne - you're right.

Jeremiah - you're right.

Now, how could you both be right (well, do 2 rights make a wrong?

We're talking about minut differences, arc/bend in fuel lines, low fuel level in the gas tank, possible in-line filter in the fuel line, fuel bowl screen, fuel tank screens/filters. I'm surprised no one mentioned the Quiet Lines have a larger fuel line and inlet fitting on the carb. I wonder why IH made this change? I think gravity works wonders but it does have trouble going side ways and up hill. All of this is only a problem when you run "low" on gas and start to sputter or die, or if you have any crud/rust in your fuel tank. I'd sure like to see some pics for comparison. One thing I will say since I now only have a 169, when I do run it I shut off the fuel at the tank and let the engine run till it dies. At idle I think it runs a good 5 minutes, but at half throttle I think it dies after about 2 minutes. If the 169 wasn't already put away for the season I'd snap a pic of the fuel line and "slightly upward bending rubber fuel line".
We need pics!!!!