Any tricks for cleaning the in tank fuel strainer?

arlonm · Mar 6, 2018

I have a 2011 4530 that is having some classic symptoms of fuel starvation. I changed the fuel filter but have not cleaned the strainer. Older tractor, I assume it's past due. I assume you just have to empty the tank and unscrew the big fitting on the bottom of the tank. I'm also assuming there is not a seal that can be damaged in the process. Looks pretty straight forward but thought I'd ask. This tractor is new to me.

PILOON · Mar 6, 2018

Heck blow air backwards into the tank and perhaps use a vacuum cleaner to collect the crap.

LOL, drain the tank first.

Even simply blowing should confirm that it is your cause, for a while anyway, until the crud migrates back to the screen.

Another common cause for starvation is a clogged vent in the fuel cap.
Operating with the cap off or ajar should confirm if the vent is the cause.

thepumpguysc · Mar 7, 2018

There is a trick to vacuuming out a tank.. its called " a suck bucket".. seriously..
What you do is get a 5 gal bucket w/ a lid.. the hose from a shop vac will fit the big hole.. use tape for a really good seal..
Next, take a smaller diameter hose. say 3/8-5/16" & make another hole & stick it in the lid.. the tighter the better..
Now USE THE SMALLER HOSE to vacuum out the tank..
The gunk will end up in the 5 gal pail & NOT the shop vac.. & the smaller hose can be manipulated into the smaller crevices in the tank..
The smaller hose can be "stepped down" as needed..
The key to making this thing work properly is the seal.. Tape off anywhere you might suspect a leak..
I sure hope this helped.. cuz it was a lot of typing at 3AM.. Lol

arlonm · Mar 7, 2018

It was a very simple task of siphoning the tank and undoing the banjo bolt and then the screen. It was totally clogged up. Runs like a different tractor. Previous owner had just changed the fuel filter right before I got it (about 10 hrs ago). I guess he didn't know about the strainer either. So easy to do, it's just going to become part of the maintenance routine when I'm closer to an empty tank.

thepumpguysc · Mar 8, 2018

Good deal.!!! Glad it worked out for ya..
Now don't be stingy about sharing your find..
WE ALL KNOW, theres somebody out there in "tractor land" that's havin the same problem.. Lol
Happy Tractoring..

Oldoak · Mar 8, 2018

Deleted. Quoted wrong post.

Oldoak · Mar 8, 2018

thepumpguysc said:
There is a trick to vacuuming out a tank.. its called " a suck bucket".. seriously..
What you do is get a 5 gal bucket w/ a lid.. the hose from a shop vac will fit the big hole.. use tape for a really good seal..
Next, take a smaller diameter hose. say 3/8-5/16" & make another hole & stick it in the lid.. the tighter the better..
Now USE THE SMALLER HOSE to vacuum out the tank..
The gunk will end up in the 5 gal pail & NOT the shop vac.. & the smaller hose can be manipulated into the smaller crevices in the tank..
The smaller hose can be "stepped down" as needed..
The key to making this thing work properly is the seal.. Tape off anywhere you might suspect a leak..
I sure hope this helped.. cuz it was a lot of typing at 3AM.. Lol

Excellent idea! Although I have never had a fuel tank problem, I will have to keep that in mind. :thumbsup:

I hope people who use that method remember it's only for a diesel fuel tank and never for cleaning a gasoline tank.

countrybumpkin · Mar 10, 2018

I’ve had to do this twice on a 6000 series for my stepdad. Just have to drain the tank then remove the shut off and the fitting from the bottom of the tank, if I remember right it just had a copper sealing washer. I flushed the tank then used a air powered suction vac to remove anything left. He fills his with a five gallon can and always spills some which collects dust and chaff from bush hogging, and each time he fills it some gets knocked off into the tank. The first cleaning lasted about two years, the second time I cleaned it all out again, I removed the pre screen from the tank fitting. I did install a cheap metal inline filter from the parts store to act as a pre filter in the hose between the tank shut off and the main filters. That has lasted 5 years now with no issues.

As a quick fix, just blow some air backwards into the tank outlet as said above, and this should by you some time if your in the middle of a project you need to finish.

PILOON · Mar 10, 2018

The 'suck bucket' is a cool idea and sure it works well.

CAUTION, I'd suggest only using this idea for fuel tanks and NOT GAS as the vacuum will be only sucking vapor and guess what?
Vacuum motors are powered by electricity and they have brushes and brushes like to spark and sparks like to ignite gas fumes.
BOOM