Changing Fluids in Argo Engine

[hydromike]

Blowing out a gas line is not so bad but in a tank you stand a good chance of getting the right mix of fuel and air to reach the explosive limit for gas!

Relying on static electricity alone as an ignition source?

[Linco]

No I don't think so ! I just want you to be safe. You can drain the tank by siphoning or by gravity with the fuel line. I'm sorry I did not want to scare you from what I have read I think you are and will do fine!

[xusarmy]

Well its one thing at a time I suppose and the first thing needing to be done is to get the fresh fuel in the tank to circulate to the carb.. after I siphoned the gas tank I cranked the rest of the fuel in the line out into a jar to make sure there was no water left then I put 4 gallons of fresh fuel in tank and turned the key to get fuel flowing throught the pump and into the jar but no gas flowed into the jar any ideas?

[Linco]

hydromike you are correct since most tanks are plastic and have no way of grounding static is the problem no one ever thinks of that. Sorry but I think everyone needs to be careful with gasoline I think we all forget the dangers!

[hydromike]

hydromike you are correct since most tanks are plastic and have no way of grounding static is the problem no one ever thinks of that.

Put it physically on the ground; it'll discharge any surface charge. It's not that much different than filling up a plastic fuel tank at the gas station.

[Linco]

Your right if you have it on the ground. If its in a plastic body that's on rubber tires where's the ground?

[anotheramature]

ok, we have new fuel in tank and no fuel on the carb side of fuel pump, right? maybe you just didnt crank it over long enough to give the fuel pump time to suck it from the tank. you can check this by removing the fuel line from the tank side of fuel pump and crank over with your finger over suction side of pump and you should feel suction, is it a newer fuel pump or the origional? the reason i ask is that if it is a newer one they have plastic clips that hold the inlet/outlet nipples in place and if one has been broke or unclipped it may cause fuel pump to suck air rather than fuel.. hang in there we are all trying to get this thing back in the water again.

[xusarmy]

Thanks anotheramature I'm not sure if its original fuel pump or not but ill give it a try to see if there's any suction, about how long would you estimate id have to let it crank over to circulate fuel through the line to the carb I've been holding the key no more than 6 or 7 seconds at a time but I did it several times

[hydromike]

If you're REALLY sweating this, take the tank out. Human bodies are a fantastic path to ground as well.

[anotheramature]

if you did it several times that should have been enough. is your fuel filter easy to get to? the reason i ask is you could also check fuel pump by removing line from pump side of filter and put in small container of fuel and see if its picking it up. Lets try and see if you have suction first.

[anotheramature]

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec.../tp_2204_b.pdf maybe this will help

[xusarmy]

Hydromike what's the easy way of pushing air in to the tank? And would it push the fuel all the way through? I don't have an air compressor but I can get one. Anotheramature i I only see an inline fuel filter in the engine compartment, where would the actual pump be ? it looks like there's a fuel line running from the tank through the cab to the inline fuel filter next to the engine and then it dissappears into something and comes out leading to the carb..

[brushcutter]

WOW and HOLY CRAP!!! Man This has turned into a nightmare, I know it doesn't help much, but hang in there. Ok we've(you've) got a cleaned tank, fresh fuel and nothing coming out of the line to the carb. Disconnect and check for gas at the tank side of the filter, if no fuel there, the trouble is at the outlet on the tank. Is there a shutoff there that could have been closed? Also have you tried blowing back up the line into the tank, there is usually a screen inside the tank that can get fouled and stop flow. Then check inline filter for restriction-blow through it in the direction of fuel flow, you should be able to blow through it with only very minor resistance.

Is your fuel pump the pulse type?

[xusarmy]

Brushcutter this sucks but its a fast learning experience I'm having to learn a lot real fast and I feel confident ill have the ability to fix my own vehicles once I accomplish this task. I'm not sure what kind of fuel pump I have all I know is I have to try and start the engine to circulate fuel.

[anotheramature]

its a mechanical pump on kohler m18, its located under intake manifol on left side of engine when you are facing theflywheel. you can disconnect fuel line at the pump easily on the inlet side of pump and go the the gas cap and remove and stick yuor mouth on and blow. you should get fuel like Brushcutter replied with little resistance.