TC29D fuel filter

[Walter S]

Ever since new, have had to either change filter or drain fuel filter cup due to water causing loss of power issue just about every 25 hours. Have tried fuel treat, filtering fuel before filling from main storage tank, drained water sediment from storage tank, parking tractor out of rain under roof, filling tank before parking, used antimicrobial treat, .....etc.

Is there a updated fuel tank cap?
Is there a larger capacity filter assembly that can be used?

Is it the norm?

 

[V1Rotate]

That is not normal.
What is the source of your fuel, bulk tank, 5 gallon cans?
Is the tractor parked outside in the rain?
Check your fuel tank for cracks around the filler neck where the cap screws on, maybe water is getting in around there.

 

[Walter S]

1999model w/820hrs.
Parked under roof 80% of time.
Will double check tank filler neck, but haven't noticed any fuel leaking out.

Use a bulk tank about 325 gal. With filter after pump. No water found in that filter. I do drain sediment from bottom of bulk tank and water is present when I do.

 

[RickB]

I do drain sediment from bottom of bulk tank and water is present when I do.

Hmmm.

 

[RickB]

I do drain sediment from bottom of bulk tank and water is present when I do.

Hmmm.

 

[pedalstomper78]

To me......sounds like a bulk tank problem.

 

[Walter S]

How come then there is never any water in the fuel filter drain bowl at the pump on the bulk tank? .....only out of the bottom of the bulk tank when I periodically drain it. I get about a pint of water every 3-4 months. Talked with my fuel supplier about it, they said it was common to get condensation in that amount in an above ground tank of that size. They recommended draining the bottom of the tank regularly, and using fuel treat with a bacteria killer to prevent slime.

Also,...I fuel three other tractors from the same bulk tank. Never had any water in the fuel filters on the other tractors.

 

[V1Rotate]

Is there a possibility that some one is tampering with that tractor?

 

[pacerron]

How come then there is never any water in the fuel filter drain bowl at the pump on the bulk tank? .....only out of the bottom of the bulk tank when I periodically drain it. I get about a pint of water every 3-4 months. Talked with my fuel supplier about it, they said it was common to get condensation in that amount in an above ground tank of that size. They recommended draining the bottom of the tank regularly, and using fuel treat with a bacteria killer to prevent slime.

Also,...I fuel three other tractors from the same bulk tank. Never had any water in the fuel filters on the other tractors.

Is your bulk tank mounted up on a pedestal? If so the back of the tank is normally set a little lower than the front.
That way any water stays in the back of the tank and doesn't come out the front hose point which is usually a couple inches above the front bottom of the tank anyway.
When you drain the tank every 3-4 months do you use a drain plug in the back or do you remove the filter in the front and drain it by lifting the back up a little?
Something is strange if you capture water from the same tank in only one out of 3 tractors. Do the two that don't capture water have the same type of water filter as the one that does?
I have never had a water problem in 20 plus years from the same tank and it has no filter on the hose.
I buy diesel supreme and many times a partial tank of summer blend will set in an almost empty tank and be used throughout the winter with no problems. When I drain it I always get about 10 gallon left in the tank beyond the gravity flow stop. I save it in containers but it has never had any moisture or dirt in it. I have even used it in an older tractor with no problems.
Ron

 

[Walter S]

It is sitting on cinder blocks so that the bottom drain petcock is about 3-4 inches lower than the opposite end where the pump is mounted. I did it that way so that any water present would not get sucked up into the pump pickup tube, which doesn't go all the way to the bottom anyway.

Tampering with the tractor?? No. Ghosts?? Maybe.

I think that it is two things. Condensation/moisture somehow forming inside the PLASTIC tank of the tractor itself, combined with a filter which is too small and too difficult to drain easily. Plus, on those rare occasions it does sit in the rain, I would think the fuel cap would or should prevent a direct entry point for water...which is why I was wondering if a revised fuel tank cap design was issued.

My other tractors have drain petcocks on the bottom of the filters. Just crack it open and drain, but not the TC. Have to drop the cup, clean, replace filter if loaded with fuzz, replace cup and then bleed air from lines to start. What a PIA. If the filter and cup were of larger capacity, I wouldn't have to drain it as often.

I am going to try putting a plastic 5 gallon bucket over my hand pump to see if that makes any difference in the amount of water drained from the tank. It may be possible it is getting in through the pump bung hole, but I don't see how.