Oil & Fuel Fuel nozzle dropped in fuel tank

[uihdff]

While fueling up a MF 245, the 4" plastic nozzle from a fuel container dropped into the fuel tank.

The engine hasn't been started since then.

I can't see the nozzle.

How do I get it out of there ?

Will it cause damage ?

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN......


The plastic nozzle won't cause any damage in the tank. With some patience you can try and get it out with one of these spring loaded grabber tools. HF also sells them cheaper.


Husky 24 in. Lighted Mechanical Pickup Tool-7396H - The Home Depot

 

[irvingj]

Sounds like an issue I had (and didn't know about) on my PLANE!! WHO DROPPED IT AND WHY IN $#@ DIDN'T THEY REMOVE IT??

But no, it apparently did no damage...

Ditto on a grabber thing, unless it's steel and could be reached with a magnet, maybe.

 

[sdef]

Another vote for probably not an issue, although I am glad it is not me I doubt the fuel pickup is large enough to suck up that nozzle. I would use the tractor until the fuel in the tank was 1/4 or less and then you can probably see the nozzle, maybe stir the fuel around a bit to make it easier to find or reach and fish it out. Worse case scenario, remove the tank and work on it off the tractor.

 

[oosik]

I've dropped the cap on the end of the fuel nozzle into the tank on my riding mower. NO problem, straight shot down the fill pipe, I could see the little critter at the bottom of the tank, got it out with a bent coat hanger.

Now if this happened on my Kubota tractor - not so much fun. The fill pipe has two 90 degree bends, I wouldn't be able to see anything and I think I would just forget the entire situation. The fill nozzle will not hurt anything and chances are you could damage something trying to extract the nozzle.

 

[uihdff]

George2615, irvingj, sdef and oosik,

Thanks for the replies.

Relieved it's not a problem.

I'll try using a grabber when the fuel is lower.

 

[k0ua]

There are many of these fuel nozzle threads on here. It usually doesn't cause any problems, and most just stay in there and are never retrieved because of the difficulty in getting them out.

 

[plowhog]

Turn the tractor upside down and shake it until it comes out! :laughing:

Regarding: "Sounds like an issue I had (and didn't know about) on my PLANE!!" Unknown to me, an avionics tech left needle nose pliers on the avionics wiring of my Piper Malibu. Under the glare shield so I did not know. Cruising at 17,000 ft over Southern California, suddenly my instrument panel caught on fire. It's a pressurized cabin airplane so that is a very big deal. Had to declare an emergency, began emergency descent (4,000 ft/min) and had traffic conflict with outbound Learjet. Loss of IFR separation triggers FAA involvement.

Everything turned out fine, except my wife was panicked until she was able to get out. FAA reviewed everything that happened and complimented me on the handling of the emergency. It cost a small fortune to get an avionic tech over to the airport to get me going again.

 

[irvingj]

My guess is that fuel nozzle sat in my left tank for at least 7 years. Only thing it did was make a really clean spot in the aluminum under it where it rocked back & forth... but yeah, (apparently) no problem. --Hope I NEVER have to deal with an in-flight fire! Yikes!! What bothered me more was that the individual involved in my case HAD to know that was in there, and yet --again, apparently-- did nothing about it. Grrrr.

OK, back to tractors...

 

[sandman2234]

Before fuel gauges, many a stick has been dropped into tanks. I pulled an Allis Chalmers tank one time that had a stick with short limbs on it that had been in there so long it had worn the edges smooth. Actually kind of neat.
David from jax