Went out to my property to mow with my 2015 L3901 and found the fuel filler cap missing. The tractor was sitting within sight of chip road so I don't know if I left loose, raccoon spun it off, or someone else lost theirs and mine was a handy replacement. I lean towards the last scenario, but it really doesn't matter, I got to deal with results now. I haven't used the tractor for several weeks and we've had quite a bit of rain. I'm sure I need to drain and remove the tank, rinse and refill. Change fuel filter and clean out water separator. Is there anything else I need to do to it?
Fuel cap missing L3901
- Thread starter Roundround
- Start date
Add another gallon or two after you drain and then drain that too. When you refill add Stanadyne or another additive.
Yes! Buy a new fuel filler cap. 
Not certain if I would remove the tank... I'd drain the fuel into a clean white bucket and observe what contamination is evident. If bad clean tank. If relatively clean refuel with clean fuel. (I'm assuming it is a good bit of work to remove tank. If easy, I'd clean it.)
Good luck.
Not certain if I would remove the tank... I'd drain the fuel into a clean white bucket and observe what contamination is evident. If bad clean tank. If relatively clean refuel with clean fuel. (I'm assuming it is a good bit of work to remove tank. If easy, I'd clean it.)
Good luck.
I would also drain the tank, refill with a couple gallons, and drain again. To reclaim the fuel, a great product is a filtering funnel called "Mr Funnel". It will not pass water.
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RCW
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I think I'm with 200, and not remove the tank just yet.
I would do exactly as he and others suggested.
Good luck!
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I would do exactly as he and others suggested.
Good luck!
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I have looked at the WSM on removing the fuel tank about a year ago and I decided not to go down that road.
Did they just take the fuel cap or did they help themselves to some fuel also?
Did they just take the fuel cap or did they help themselves to some fuel also?
Newlyme
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I would do as some of the others have suggested. If you do not want to remove the tank to do a little bit better of a cleaning, drain tank by pulling a fuel line coming out of the tank as far away from the tank as possible to remove any water that may have got past the tank into the line, water is heavier than fuel. Rinse with fuel and drain again. When you refill, top off, and use an additive that specifically deals with water in the fuel. High pressure fuel pumps and common rail fuel systems DO NOT like water.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I know it don’t help now, but I would put a trail camera up where you keep your tractor. Might help with future incidents
North Idaho Wolfman
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Drain, refill some, drain again, The treat fue with Biocide, I use Soltron, not startron (you can get it at napa auto parts).
As much as I like and use the Mr Funnels, I would recommend against trying to reclaim rhe fuel. The Mr Funnels will not remove dust particles and mold spores that will have blown in while the cap was off. Given the cost of common rail components, now would not be the time to be frugal.
I didn't consider the other contaminants involved in the op's case. Who knows what's in the fuel now, perhaps even vandalized.
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RCW
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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
If I were the OP, I wouldn't re-use the fuel, but not for any objective reasons why....
You guys have great points I hadn't thought of.
I stopped by and looked at tractor on my through today to check on a few things mentioned. Pic shows water definitely in system. Tank was still full of fuel so, siphoning going on.
I think I will drain fuel from tank and see how it goes and get the additive from Napa to help with moisture. I’ve got some gravel that needs weed killing so that’s we’re I think old fuel will go.
Thanks a million for all the input and suggestions. Big Orange comes through again!
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North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Be mindful of the size of your Pic's too large of pic's make a thread unreadable.
Note: I resized the pic.
Note: I resized the pic.
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Update: Drained tank, flushed lines to spin on filter, replaced filter. Partial filled tank with fuel and additive. Run a short time and separator full again, there must be some area that held water and slimy gunk. Drained separator again and had partial refill after running mower a few minutes. Decided to remove tank and power wash inside to clean well. Will rinse with alcohol and leave in sun to dry out well. Refill tank, clean separator, flush lines, and replace spin filter.
The stuff coming out of tank is slimy and chunky. No bueno.
The stuff coming out of tank is slimy and chunky. No bueno.
You might want to power wash it inside with Purple Zep or Purple power and then rinse it with acetone, not alcohol.
The common rail engines are "extremely" intolerant of water, so make sure you get it all out. Well they'll tolerate a tiny bit (as in parts per million) but if/when the supply pump fails, you'll be out thousands. They-and the rail, injectors, and sensors that all come into contact with the fuel-are NOT cheap! They also don't like gasoline in the fuel.
Don't know. Take a small amount on a rag and rub it on the outside and see if it reacts with the tank material.