Clump of snow fell in my fuel tank!

[crashz]

The fuel filter bowls are clear plastic, but its still hard to see water accumulated on the bottom, especially if you are running on-road fuel like the OP and myself. Its best to simply clean it out. I replace mine on its annual service too, because most of the effort is getting the fuel bowl off and cleaned. Wait for a nice day to work on the tractor and remove, clean and replace fuel filter.

Like other have mentioned, not the end of the world. Just try to avoid it in the future.

 

[sea2summit]

I don't have a lot to add other than checking the bowl should be done prior to every operation, it doesn't take any time and it's a little bit of good maintenance. Dumping it is cents in cost so shouldn't be any hesitation if you have concern. When you dump it just look at the screen, if it's rusting there has been an oxidizing agent in there either water or something else so replace it. If there is a lot of crap in the screen or if it's rotted through consider replacing the fuel filter (if there's a whole eaten through I think it's stronger than a consideration).

 

[newbury]

<snip>I have filled up twice since then.<snip>

Reading that gives me no idea how much fuel the OP has put through the system.
I usually fill up at 1/4 tanks, so 2 fuel ups would be 1.5 tanks. Some people fill up every time they do even a little work, others wait until the engine stutters.

 

[Jstpssng]

Just a slightly off topic comment... I keep a spare sediment bowl on my shelf. That plastic gets brittle over time and cracks...usually at the most inopportune time.
When it happened on my last Kubota I had to get towed in by a John Deere! It took several years to live it down.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't have a lot to add other than checking the bowl should be done prior to every operation, it doesn't take any time and it's a little bit of good maintenance. ...

Plus it's good practice to do a walk around every day.

 

[Jstpssng]

Plus it's good practice to do a walk around every day.

Good point. Then you might notice things like an upper radiator hose which suddenly loosened up and almost came off, after 3+ years and >600 hours of ownership.

 

[MossyDell]

Reading that gives me no idea how much fuel the OP has put through the system.
I usually fill up at 1/4 tanks, so 2 fuel ups would be 1.5 tanks. Some people fill up every time they do even a little work, others wait until the engine stutters.

My tank holds 6 gallons. In winter, I try to fuel up by half a tank. It can be hard to get 3 gallons in, but it's about that much, plus or minus.

 

[loggin]

I have noticed on my fuel tank that the fuel line outlet is a little above the bottom of the tank. I would suspect, in my case, this is like another water trap.

Just thought I'd mention in case yours might be the same.

 

[RolandW]

No words of wisdom from me; just a funny (I hope) story: My Dad kept having trouble with the strainer in one tractor's tank getting clogged. One day when I went to refuel that tractor from his on-farm diesel storage tank, I pointed the nozzle at the ground and shook it, as was my habit to make sure there wasn't any water accumulated in it. Out rolled a bunch of acorns! Turned out squirrels had been dropping them in the nozzle, and I guess Dad hadn't been checking before sticking it in the tractor tank filler.

 

[Mdumas]

All good advices! I'd make my operation season following these advices and when in a more relax period, I'd drain the fuel tank completly and sponge the bottom with a piece of towel and a wire hook to make sure there's any liquid left and the tank perfectly clean. Refill and change the filters.