Something stupid with my "new" 3520

[Mech]

Probably saw the news about floods in Colorado. Took my 3520 with 16 hours out to repair some roads. Got half way down the driveway and it quit. Pulled it back to the house and my wife noticed that the fuel cap was off. I had apparently forgot it when adding fuel a couple of days before. I drained a couple of gallons of water through the bowl. It started after cranking a bit. I worked it for about 5 minutes, drained the bowl full of water again. Worked it about an hour and drained the bowl, full of water again. Do I just keep doing this until I run the tank dry? Is their an additive? Anything else I should do or worry about. I feel so incredibly stupid.

 

[murphy1244]

Drain the tank and refill IMO

 

[Tx Jim]

I would get some water dispersing fuel additive to put in the tank and keep draining the water seperater. I suppose the fuel tank doesn't have a drain cock such as my JD 4255 has because my 4255 is easy to drain the condensation out of the tank..

 

[xring100]

Probably saw the news about floods in Colorado. Took my 3520 with 16 hours out to repair some roads. Got half way down the driveway and it quit. Pulled it back to the house and my wife noticed that the fuel cap was off. I had apparently forgot it when adding fuel a couple of days before. I drained a couple of gallons of water through the bowl. It started after cranking a bit. I worked it for about 5 minutes, drained the bowl full of water again. Worked it about an hour and drained the bowl, full of water again. Do I just keep doing this until I run the tank dry? Is their an additive? Anything else I should do or worry about. I feel so incredibly stupid.

Oh that sucks. valuable lesson learned. Most tanks should have a tank drain to drain water out of them. If you have no fuel additive for water dispersant the water will naturally seperate and sink towards the bottom. If this does not work try what Murph said and drain the whole tank. I always put the tank cap on my seat so if i forget to put it on i will see it the next time i get on my tractor. Sounds like yours lives outside so that won't help

 

[Mech]

I think I saw a drain at the bottom of the tank. If it ever stops raining I will drain out the water there. I just ordered new fuel filters and will replace those after I get all the water out of the tank. Hope I didn't damage anything.

 

[JDTank]

I think I saw a drain at the bottom of the tank. If it ever stops raining I will drain out the water there. I just ordered new fuel filters and will replace those after I get all the water out of the tank. Hope I didn't damage anything.

The best solution is to drain the fuel tank and start over with fresh diesel.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the fuel injectors or the fuel pump. Moisture in a diesel fuel system is normal, but obviously on a MUCH smaller scale.

 

[PTW3320]

Hey, dont' feel bad, it happens to the best of us. I was notorious for forgetting to replace the fuel cap. There should be a small brass drain plug on the bottom right rear on the tank. Drain it right out, fill it half way, add between 1/4 to 1/2 jug of Howes and fuel the rest of it up with fresh fuel.(just to mix the conditioner with the diesel) Keep adding conditioner every time you fuel up too. I like Howes but we can't get it here in Canada any more. My 2011 3320 came with the fuel cap chained to the inside of the filler neck....something to consider

 

[Wagtail]

I love this site. Sorry for your predicament Mech but your loss is my gain as I would never have learnt to even look for (let alone 'at') the "Water Seperator Sediment Bowl".

A quick look at my Operator's Manual confirms and a quick glance will now become part of my pre-start walk-around... otherwise, it would've been an annual check.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think I saw a drain at the bottom of the tank. If it ever stops raining I will drain out the water there. I just ordered new fuel filters and will replace those after I get all the water out of the tank. Hope I didn't damage anything.

Sounds like a reasonable approach and should solve your problems. Be careful with the flood waters this weekend as there is more rain tonight and tomorrow.