Rumplestiltskin
Member
I was clearing driveway snow with my 350 Utility in February when the engine died – very unusual for this tractor.
It “walked and quacked” like fuel starvation. Okay, let’s see…Out of gas? No. Stuck needle? A couple of taps on the side of the carb with a plastic hammer, then gently with a steel one – no change. Just for fun, see if the coil’s hot…No. The sediment bowl has its usual 1/16” of crud in the bottom. Okay, clean the sediment bowl and reinstall, turn the valve back on, and…what’s this? Drip, drip, drip into the bowl…nowhere near the expected “pencil-thick” stream. Looks like there must be crud at the gas tank outlet.
So, what’s the fix? Stand outside in the freezing wind to remove the valve assembly and clean the tank? No, thanks. Hey, maybe if I just blow into the gas tank…
So, a quick check to make sure the fuel level is low enough that I won’t get any on (or in) me, then press my mug against the gas filler neck, and blow.
She started right up and has run like a champ ever since. I know there’s a gas tank R&R and lining in my near future, but at least I won’t have to do it in a snowstorm!
The bonus came when I looked in the mirror that night and saw the little black extra smile between my chin and lower lip.
Mark W. in MI
It “walked and quacked” like fuel starvation. Okay, let’s see…Out of gas? No. Stuck needle? A couple of taps on the side of the carb with a plastic hammer, then gently with a steel one – no change. Just for fun, see if the coil’s hot…No. The sediment bowl has its usual 1/16” of crud in the bottom. Okay, clean the sediment bowl and reinstall, turn the valve back on, and…what’s this? Drip, drip, drip into the bowl…nowhere near the expected “pencil-thick” stream. Looks like there must be crud at the gas tank outlet.
So, what’s the fix? Stand outside in the freezing wind to remove the valve assembly and clean the tank? No, thanks. Hey, maybe if I just blow into the gas tank…
So, a quick check to make sure the fuel level is low enough that I won’t get any on (or in) me, then press my mug against the gas filler neck, and blow.
She started right up and has run like a champ ever since. I know there’s a gas tank R&R and lining in my near future, but at least I won’t have to do it in a snowstorm!
The bonus came when I looked in the mirror that night and saw the little black extra smile between my chin and lower lip.
Mark W. in MI