Oil & Fuel Lost Fuel Cap Insert in Tank

[EastTexFrank]

Mowed 7 acres for the local library today. Because of Gustav and Ike, it's been over 3 weeks since I did it last and it was pretty long. It took me about twice as long as usual to get it done. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was close to running out of fuel on the B2400. I called my wife and she, God bless her, brought a 5 gallon can down to fill her up. When I took off the fuel cap, the rubber insert had come out and was sitting on top of the tank. As I tried to get a hold of it to lift it off, it fell into the fuel tank.

Does anybody have any ideas on how to get it back out of there without having to take everything apart, remove the tank and turn it upside down. I'll try fishing for it with a couple of thin dowel rods tomorrow or might try a coat hanger I but just wondered if anybody had any other bright ideas.

By the way, I filled it up and it ran just fine so it's not plugging the fuel outlet. I suppose I could just ignore it and carry on as if nothing had happened.

 

[Bedlam]

My guess would be to use one of those flexible "go getters" where you push and the fingers on the end open and grasp it. Or possibly a piece of wire with a bend hook.

 

[nbennett]

I wonder whether it will float or sink? If it floats, maybe filling the tank will make it easier to retrieve.

 

[Dale Binkley]

I cannot understand why they designed the insert on the cap to be a separate piece. I am tired of picking up the pieces to put the insert back in the cap before closing up the tank after refueling. This is one of the few complaints I have about my tractor. I have considered glueing it all together but have not gotten around to trying it.

 

[aczlan]

depending on how the tank is shaped, if this piece floats it might be easier to fill the tank halfway and then try to fish it out...

YMMV

Aaron Z

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Couple years ago I bought one of the Kubota gas mowers. This ring fell out and was laying on top of the shelf in the gas tank. I reached in and pulled it out. Went to dealer to get a new ring since it was melted from the gas. No deal, he had to get me a new lid with ring for no cost. Later the mower would run and sometimes not run. Looked at frosted fuel filter and could see dark spots. Replaced filter (clear) and ran fine. With old filter out you could see pieces of the rubber ring clogging the filter.

 

[EastTexFrank]

I was too busy today welding on the trailer to do anything with the little tractor but tomorrow .....

I think I'll try fishing it out first and if I can't get it I'll fill her up and see if I can float it up to where I can reach it. If the rubber is going to deteriorate in the tank then I'd better get it out even it it does mean taking the tank out and turning it upside down.

Thanks guys for the input.