Mr Funnel getting sticky like its melting

[jbrumberg]

IslandTractor:

I got my Mr Funnel through West Marine and did not have any ordering problems whatsoever. It appears that going "big time" (i.e. ordering direct) has created an integrity challenge for the manufacturer. I really like my Mr Funnel as a filter/funnel. It does leave a little residual fuel after filling the tank. Jay

 

[stevenf]

LBrown59, I don't get it "filtered" Its designed to filter petroleum products and specifically mentions diesel as one of the products it can filter in their advertising and all I've used in it is Diesel. Are you saying I've filtered something else thru it other then diesel or maybe I have unique diesel instead of a unique filter, although I'd imagine if my diesel were the problem it would be melting all of the plastic lines and filters on my tractor if its that potent. When I say sticky I'm seriously talking about the funnel itself, while I'm holding it in place during fueling it actually leaves finger prints like as if it were made of styrofoam and you were touching it with gas on your hands.
Steve

 

[DocHeb]

I think 59 must have meant that the sticky material could be the semi-solid, non-volitile, paraffins/waxes/slime/debris that has been filtered out from the fuel. Try wiping down the filter with some clean kerosene and see if it removes the "sticky".

 

[stevenf]

AAH! I tried wiping it with diesel fuel when it first started thinking maybe it had some kinda coating on it and the rag just started sticking to the funnel. Mines the black one like they advertize on their web site and has finger prints pushed into the plastic all around at the level where I support it to keep it from spilling during fueling. Its not surface goo, the plastic of the funnel just seems to be getting continually softer and more pliable.
Steve

 

[Farwell]

Thank you for posting the questionable business practices. I hate dealing with sites that are not totally up front. I have changed my mind about ordering one of their funnels even though it sounds like a great idea. $5.95 is around the same price that fuel stabilizer costs retail and I have never understood the 4-6 week delay in shipping products unless the company waits until it gets enough orders to do a production run.
Farwell

 

[SCDolphin]

I have 2 sizes of mr. funnel - the really large one and a med size one. I filter gas and diesel. I have had them for a couple of years without problems. My only complaint is that the large funnel end needs a hose on the end which would make it easier filling and filtering gas/diesel from 5 gal can to boat or truck. So far I can not find a hose large enough to fit over the end.

 

[755inNY]

IslandTractor,

The "sleaze" feel may come from the fact that you are actually ordering from a mass marketing service "As seen on tv network". But in fairness to the ad, in both places on the web site where the "free" bottle of stabilizer is shown there is the tag line "just pay s&h". Granted this in small print. It is also repeated in the video clip. Of, course the bottle is not worth the $10 value they claim. I've seen this separate s&h charge for many "free" items on TV commercials.

As far as the up charge for faster delivery, I would not be surprised if you received the item much quicker than 4 weeks anyway. I think it is just another opportunity to get more money out of your pocket.

Jeff

 

[IslandTractor]

<font color="blue">I would not be surprised if you received the item much quicker than 4 weeks anyway. I think it is just another opportunity to get more money out of your pocket.
</font>

Like I said, sleazy. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I wish I'd known the filter was available at WestMarine. Got one of those down the street.

 

[SeymourBota]

I have 3 of them and no issues with any of them. (there is that necessary slosh in the bottom of the funnel that you must deal with when done). Mine are the yellow plastic models.
Not sure where they are located now, but when I bought mine, they were in Alaska.
I suppose regular S&H is pony express and the upcharge is for air mail.

 

[stevenf]

ronjhall, The number is for Mr. Funnel.TV they are a marketing company .TV that sells for most the infomercials and such I talked to a kid today and he stammered around awhile and said he didn't see anything in his notes about one melting but if I'd hang up and call back a few times I could eventually get to someone that knew something about it maybe and what I would need to do to get it resolved he didn't know. When you go to the Mr. Funnel.com site the only option is a email response which I've sent them the question as to what they can do for me but I haven't heard anything back yet.
Steve

 

[timb]

I've got the black (conductive) F8 model for two years now - diesel only and no sign of any stickiness. Just store it in a zip lock bag between uses, no problems.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I "googled" and found a 6 year old article with an address and 800#.

The funnel comes in three sizes. A large one made exclusively for tractors filters 5 gal./min. and costs $30. Contact Smart Tech LLC, Dept. FIN, 23745 Immelman Circle, Chugiak, AK 99567, 800/972-1550 .

I called the number and it is Mr. Funnel (or maybe his daughter) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!

 

[stevenf]

Bill, Thanks I never heard back from them on the email and I did multiple google searches and never found them got lots of hits just not the right one obviously. I called them and left a message we'll see if they call me back or not. Thanks again
Steve

 

[BamaRob]

Thanks for following up on this. I just got my Mr. Funnel a few days ago and have only run 10 gallons of fuel through it. I've just been hanging it on a nail in my shed, but had considered putting it in a plastic bag to keep the dust off. Thanks to your follow-up, I'll keep hanging it on the nail in the open air.

Thanks,

BR

 

[timb]

Steve,

Thanks for passing along the info from Mr. Funnel, but in my 'semi-enclosed' and dusty (understatement) shed I really like the idea of keeping dirt off of the funnel. So far I haven't seen any sign of the melting you caught. Were you using any type of additive in your diesel? I use PS, but still haven't seen anything weird show up.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Steve,

Thanks for the update. It looks like they moved from one extreme to the other (Alaska to Florida).
I wonder why they don't publicize their 800 #? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[stevenf]

I do use PS in the silver bottle since I store my fuel for long periods with a 300 gallon storage tank, which according to Mr. Funnel we should not put into our storage tank but rather in the tractor when the fuel is added if at all because PS makes the fuel absorb (I think is the right word) the water and the 100 micron filter won't catch it.
Steve

 

[stevenf]

Well we have resolution and infairness to Mr. Funnel had to bring the thread back to life. I sent them my funnel on June 13th and received a new one back today along with a smaller yellow F1nc as a gift I guess. When I spoke to them last week they had received it but hadn't opened the box yet so I guess upon inspection they concurred with my observations of the plastic melting and sent me a new one. I'll feel better filtering my fuel again rather then just relying on the inline filter on my storage tank to catch anything foreign. They didn't send me any sort of OOPs sorry note but they did replace it and sent the little one as well so we'll give them a 9 on customer service score and a 10 for honoring their lifetime warranty without a bunch of nonsense. Thank You Mister Funnel another great TBN sponsor and I'll keep my new funnel uncovered and in a well ventilated area to insure that all fuel evaporates from now on.
Steve

 

[MrFunnel]

Thank you for being a Mr. Funnel Customer.

Regards,

Mr. Funnel

 

[bbse]

Mr Funnel,

I would like to order a funnel myself but after reading Islandtractor's post I would only order if I could go direct. I hate playing games with order takers. Is there a direct number or can we use the office number you have listed in your post?