Mahindra 4110 Fuel Filter Leaking

[Dougster]

Made quite a mess on my garage floor, the result of a leaking fuel filter or possibly a leak in one of the connected fuel lines... can't tell for certain yet.

Can someone please explain to me the filter connections and positioning of the attached valve so I can start to trouble-shoot this leak? Thank you.

 

[seville009]

Can’t explain the filter connections, etc, but presumably there is an o ring in the filter housing where it screws in - I’d check that first to make sure it’s there and in good condition.

Always start with the simple stuff first…..,

 

[Dougster]

Can’t explain the filter connections, etc, but presumably there is an o ring in the filter housing where it screws in - I’d check that first to make sure it’s there and in good condition.

Always start with the simple stuff first…..,

I would hope that is it. My more immediate problem is that the darn thing is still leaking, so it would really help if anyone knows the valve position that would stop fuel feed to the filter... and if it is a hose leak, which side is leaking?

Too bad for me that I had just filled the fuel tank to maximum capacity. This could be a bad o-ring from the last servicing.

 

[seville009]

The valve in your picture is, I think, in the closed position.

That’s easy to test - just unscrew and take the filter and housing off, then move the valve between open and closed to confirm which is which. Fuel will flow out with it in the open position when the filter is removed

 

[Dougster]

The valve in your picture is, I think, in the closed position.

That’s easy to test - just unscrew and take the filter and housing off, then move the valve between open and closed to confirm which is which. Fuel will flow out with it in the open position when the filter is removed

Actually, that (handle at 6 o'clock) is in the operating position (or at least in the position in which the tractor had been running trouble-free pre-leak). What I don't know is what happens with the handle positions at 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Is one a vent position? Or just an off position (for intake or outlet or both?)? I am soooo confused.

At the moment, it is raining cats & dogs up here in MA, so the tractor is in "God's car wash" with a big bucket underneath. Can't do anything further with it until the rain stops.

 

[seville009]

Actually, that (handle at 6 o'clock) is in the operating position (or at least in the position in which the tractor had been running trouble-free pre-leak). What I don't know is what happens with the handle positions at 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Is one a vent position? Or just an off position (for intake or outlet or both?)? I am soooo confused.

At the moment, it is raining cats & dogs up here in MA, so the tractor is in "God's car wash" with a big bucket underneath. Can't do anything further with it until the rain stops.

It should always be fully open or full closed (so valve handle all the way one way, or all the way the other way).

My understanding is that it’s there mainly just to shut off the fuel flow when changing the filter.

 

[Dougster]

Okay, mystery solved! The "off" position is the middle or 9 o'clock position of the petcock handle. All the way up or down on the handle is open.

Now, I can relax until I can get in there with a bright shop light and see exactly where the leak is coming from.

 

[yanmars]

That looks similar to the filter I had on my 4510. Damaged two or three when brush hogging in thick stuff. That was enough, ended up putting an automotive filter (like an oil filter with a steel outiside shell) on, much stronger and have had no damage issues since.
Hope yours is just a one time thing although the entire unit from Mahindra was not too expensive, with filter and all the housing I think under $100 as I recall.

 

[Dougster]

I was doing some rotted tree & log moving work right before the leak started, but I think it was age/weathering and my own neglect that may have started the problem. I have had fuel leaks before. Time will tell as soon as I can pick-up a nice, bright work light and see exactly what's going on. Could just be another aging rubber hose leak. But you are right. The Mahindra OEM fuel filter is still available and not very expensive... so if it need to be replaced, no big deal.

 

[skipmarcy]

On my 2001 model 4110 those fuel fittings are NOT threaded into the upper housing, they are tapered and pressed in and they loosen and leak all the time !! I used to HATE changing that filter - the pot metal the housing is made out of rots and the threads go to s..t - had to buy a new nut that holds the bowl on from Mahindra years ago - that nut was $16 by itself and it didn't help the rotted threads one bit. I finally trashed the whole thing and put a standard metal-cased in-line 5/16" automotive fuel filter in it's place. Nary a problem in years now ...