PT 422 fuel tank

[ericromsos@arborcareofthe]

Hello all. This is my first post under this log in. I couldn't remember my previous password so I joined again. Haha. Anyway, we have a PT 422 and we have had a problem with water getting into the gas tank around the cap. We have replaced the cap and still had issues. So I pulled the metal collar off of the tank and sealed it with a gas tank gasket. That worked well for a few months but we are getting water in the gas again. I'm thinking I am going to just replace the entire fuel tank. Does anyone have any info as to what tank that is? I wanted to just order one from Power Trac directly but wasn't able to call during their business hours. Now I am hoping to find one online so I can order it and be done with it. Anyone know of a tank that will fit?

 

[MossRoad]

No. I've never been able to find one on-line that looks the same.

How is water getting in there? It's under a hood isn't it? I'd suspect the fuel storage cans or fuel supply over the gas cap on the PT.

 

[ericromsos@arborcareofthe]

It's definitely the gas tank/cap. If I fill the tank completely full with gas and shake the machine I can get gas to weep out of the area where the plastic tank connects to the metal cap throat. I assume that if gas gets out, water can get in. Plus we use the same gas cans to fill several different things. I own a tree care company and we use the same cans to fill our stump grinder, chipper, chain saw gas cans, generator, etc and don't have issues with any of the other things we fill. Just the loader. Once I put a new gasket in between the plastic tank and the metal of the cap throat and it solved the problem. That was last fall. Now we're getting water in again and if I fill the tank full and shake the machine I see gas weeping out of the exact same area.

 

[cqaigy2]

My gas tank will spill gas out around the filler too, which is one reason i fill to 2/3 or 3/4. I live in a pretty wet climate, but do keep my PT under cover so there is that, but i've never found water in my gas tank. Not saying you aren't having a problem with water coming in around the filler, just surprised.

 

[BigDaddyEureka]

I just received a PT-425 and that shipped with a fully welded aluminum tank. Maybe you can get one of those for your PT-422?

 

[ericromsos@arborcareofthe]

Unfortunately we keep our machine outdoors. The engine cover has cut outs directly over the cap. Also, the tank has its seam right in that same area. I'm sure it's just a small opening but it must be enough to cause us problems. We tested the fuel with a fuel/moisture indicator and it showed water was present in the tank. It's not a big deal as the tank is easily replaced and we've had the machine for about 5 years now. I'm definitely not complaining about it. I love the PT422 and would buy another one tomorrow. I was just hoping to get another tank ordered tonight. If I have to wait until Monday to order from PT that's what I will do. They have always been great with their customer support.

 

[ericromsos@arborcareofthe]

I just received a PT-425 and that shipped with a fully welded aluminum tank. Maybe you can get one of those for your PT-422?

I will definitely ask about that. Looks sweet!

 

[MossRoad]

Unfortunately we keep our machine outdoors. The engine cover has cut outs directly over the cap. Also, the tank has its seam right in that same area. I'm sure it's just a small opening but it must be enough to cause us problems. We tested the fuel with a fuel/moisture indicator and it showed water was present in the tank. It's not a big deal as the tank is easily replaced and we've had the machine for about 5 years now. I'm definitely not complaining about it. I love the PT422 and would buy another one tomorrow. I was just hoping to get another tank ordered tonight. If I have to wait until Monday to order from PT that's what I will do. They have always been great with their customer support.

Ah, well that explains that.

Maybe this will help?



Little umbrella over the cap? No? OK sorry.

I know I found real quick on my 2001 model year 425 that I cannot fill the tank or it will splash as I drive. I made gallon marks on the tank side and only put in 4 gallons at a time. That fuel cap on the plastic tank is a weak point for sure.

 

[MossRoad]

There has to be some venting on the tank or it would collapse. There's got to be a better solution. Can you put a shield over the filler cap on the underside of the hood to redirect any water away?

 

[ericromsos@arborcareofthe]

There has to be some venting on the tank or it would collapse. There's got to be a better solution. Can you put a shield over the filler cap on the underside of the hood to redirect any water away?

I have thought about welding something over the holes on the engine cover. I think I may do that after I get a new tank in there.

 

[m5040]

The tanks now come with a max fill line warning, which is about 3" down from the top. If you take the hood off and weld up the hole, you won't need another tank.
If you buy one of those aluminum tanks, please let us know the cost, bet they are pricey.
I am sure you know, but just to be sure, Be careful welding around a gas tank.

 

[ericromsos@arborcareofthe]

Hi all. We ended up getting the aluminum tank and it has been working out well. We still have had some idling issues due to the water that was in the tank. I pulled it off and brought it to a small engine shop to have it professionally cleaned. That helped clear up most of the idling issues.

The tank ended up costing us right around $450 shipped.

 

[marrt]

Thanks for providing the price...I was wondering what that would cost. I might order one for safety reasons. I don't like a plastic tank, that leaks gas if someone fills it too full, sitting right next to a battery in a hot engine compartment. There's always oil soaked debris in the tub as well. It wouldn't take much of a fire to melt the tank and total the tractor. BTW, I assume everyone mounts a fire extinguisher somewhere on their tractor. This is a requirement in my view.

 

[agjones]

BTW, I assume everyone mounts a fire extinguisher somewhere on their tractor. This is a requirement in my view.

Somewhere as far as possible from the engine compartment. ;-)

 

[woodlandfarms]

You ever look at your lawnmower? Gas tank bolted on the engine next to the exhaust. And the tank is plastic.

 

[MossRoad]

You ever look at your lawnmower? Gas tank bolted on the engine next to the exhaust. And the tank is plastic.

Yeah, but....

 

[marrt]

You ever look at your lawnmower? Gas tank bolted on the engine next to the exhaust. And the tank is plastic.

On my 1845, I was driving along mowing long lanes one day happy as could be. It was dusk and, on one run, I noticed this fog in the air. That's odd, I thought. Did the temperature change that rapidly...you know, dew point, science and stuff...to cause the instant fog in the low part of my yard. As I circled back down there (was mowing in a large rectangle that allows maximum speed on the 1845), I picked up the scent of oil. The STRONG scent of oil. I kept going for a piece before it dawned on me...15 GPM at 3000 PSI plus a pin hole could create this condition. I stopped, looked around, and was amazed at the fog coming from the engine compartment. It looked like the machine was on fire. I started toward the shop but didn't make it. The fog was getting worse. Turns out, it was a rub-through pin hole in one of the hoses. I have no idea how long I'd been mowing before I realized what was happening.

With the exception of a zero turn, you're usually behind the engine. On a PT, a lot can go on back there before you realize there's a problem. Especially if you have a beer in the magnetic cup holder and you’re thinking about how the neighbor’s cute wife now watches you mow since buying a Power Trac.

I'm aware of a few PT fires in the past (especially the limited production with the fuel tank integrated into the hood). So, it does happen. I'm not saying an extinguisher is a panacea. But I'd at least like to have the option to defend myself and my expensive machine. The firetruck is just minutes away when seconds count.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I had a smelly mist on my 1850. Injector hose ruptured and was spraying into the cooling fan. Freaked out. Grabbed the extinguisher and waites fir it to all cool down.

 

[SpringHollow]

I also recently had an injector hose leak and do the same thing.

 

[MossRoad]

I've got a couple broken valve cover bolts and I get about 20 minutes before oil starts seeping onto the hot parts. Can't get the broken bolts extracted from the heads. Only solution seems to be new heads and valve covers, as they don't make new heads with old-style valve covers for the Kohler. I've tried a couple rounds of sealant, but that doesn't work for more than a few hours, then back to the 20 minute rule. Grrrr.... gonna have to break down and do it.