Oil & Fuel Spout cap in gas tank

[kwolfe]

AAARGGGHHH!!!. Poped right out of my hand into the tank. Having the spout cap in the gas tank shouldn't hurt anything should it? Just need some reassurance. THanks

 

[Dmace]

If it's plastic it will float, just keep it over 1/4 tank.

 

[joe48]

AAARGGGHHH!!!. Poped right out of my hand into the tank. Having the spout cap in the gas tank shouldn't hurt anything should it? Just need some reassurance. THanks

Go down to the auto parts or tool store and get a flexible retriever tool with the grabber prongs, long enough to reach the bottom of the tank and grab that cap. Yoy'll have other uses for it as time goes by too, like when you drop a bolt down in some inaccessable nook.

 

[txdon]

Kwolfe, try a coat hanger with a "V" on the end, worked for me.

 

[RalphVa]

I've dropped a couple little plastic caps into the tank. At one point, I drained the tank and used a grapple tool like others have recommended and fished them out. Dropped another one in there later on and have just left it.

Plastic doesn't float in diesel. It does in water.

Ralph

 

[kwolfe]

Ralph,
I think your right about the plastic not floating. Right after it happened, I tired swirling things around with my fingers. Could not see the cap float past. I imagine by now, it has made its way down the natural slant of the tank. It may just have to stay there forever. I don't feel like taking the tank off if it is not going to hurt anything.

 

[NH_Dave]

kwolfe,
You'll be OK until the cap settles over the outlet from the tank.
At that point it will likely restrict the flow of fuel and the engine may quit.
Then you will learn how to purge air from your fuel lines and injectors.
Does this sound like a voice of experience?
Take the time now and retrieve it.
Dave

 

[TonyS]

I dropped part of a funnel in my tank, the spout piece. Got it out with my wife's cooking tongs but did need to root about a bit

 

[mjarrels]

I sometimes use a maglite to check fuel level... always worried about dropping it in the tank!

mark

 

[BTDT]

What about draining tank, then, use one of the furniture crevice tools on vacuum cleaner hose to "grab" it with. May have to duct tape a piece of stiff hose (pvc, water hose, etc) to vacuum hose to get it long enough to reach bottom of tank. Good luck.

This will work if it's a diesel tank, don't use on gasoline, being explosive and all that.

 

[Nuru]

Kwolfe, i would get it out out there before you run that engine again . A potential obstruction is not a good thing.

Try long plastic cooking or barbeque utensels to localize and extract it.

 

[JerryG]

The only thing that might happen bad is that it could stop the fuel flow in positioned just right. I really don't think that it will do that even. You would be surprised what is in the bottom of the fuel tanks in some older tractors and other equipment and have been for years.

 

[jbrumberg]

I dropped part of a funnel in my tank, the spout piece. Got it out with my wife's cooking tongs but did need to root about a bit

I do almost all of the cooking; but I never let the wife know that I use kitchen equipment on the tractor and other tools (many of the measuring cups have helped with fuel "mixes"). Jay

 

[mazurrj]

I've lost the whole plastic piece two times. Got them out both times by fishing out with the 10 guage auluminum wire.
Problem for me was those new safety spouts. I have one old style without the spill proof spout and one with. For me the spill proof is worse than the old style without the spill proof. I usually spill with the new spill proof becuase its always slipping off the lip, then the whole spout falls in sometimes.

 

[kwolfe]

That is my problem. I don't like the new spill proof cans, I bought a kerosine one that has a vent tube down the center of the nozzle. Only problem is, now I am short one spout cap.

 

[Compadre]

To solve the aggravation of the spill-proof spout, someone who shall remain nameless used a sawzall to cut off the tip. This permitted removal of the assembly that was causing the problem.

I've had no problems since then.

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

I just dropped the flexible spout from a Blitz can into my fuel tank this afternoon, and was feeling like a total dipstick. Glad to know the experts have already gotten to work on a solution for me.

Thanks!

 

[Chuck_Lind]

I just dropped the flexible spout from a Blitz can into my fuel tank this afternoon, and was feeling like a total dipstick. Glad to know the experts have already gotten to work on a solution for me.

Thanks!

Dropped my funnel extension (about 4" long) in the tank of my NH TN65 three years ago. Have had no problem...although I'm guess it would be a real challenge to fish that funnel extension out.

That's challenging my patience!!!