Oil & Fuel Fuel Tank internal deterioration

[pfarmman]

My neighbor has a fairly recent problem with his 2003 JD 5320. It had a similar problem a couple of years back and at that time he changed the fuel suction line hose from the fuel pump to the fuel tank and cured it. Now the Tractor has once again quit pulling max power on hills while Bush Hogging. When he checked the fuel filter it had been clogged with small particles of black rubber like fragments. He installed a new filter and it ran fine again. Less than 10 hours later it has again had the fuel filter clogged with debris. Has anyone had a similar experience? We fear the fuel tank is eroding internally. Any help you can render or similar experiences would be appreciated. He sure doesn't want to bear the expense of a new tank with out more to go on. Thanks

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think I would look at the fuel lines for deterioration. A quick peak inside the tank with a flashlight should confirm if the tank is flaking. IF there is particles inside the tank, it could also be contamination from your fuel source if flecks are in the tank.
I don't think I have ever heard of a tank going bad, rubber hoses do go bad but usually it is cracking an leaking rather than interior rot.

The manufacturer may have installed an inferior grade of fuel hose. Was the tractor made in China?

 

[beenthere]

May need to look at what hose was the replacement.. could be a number of things, but also doubt it is the fuel tank.
Tractor is a product of Augusta, GA