Ameer Randolph
John Deere tractor owners may need to clean their plastic fuel tanks for a variety of reasons, including water contamination, bacterial build-up, and the presence of debris. The process of cleaning a John Deere plastic fuel tank involves several steps, including draining the tank, removing the fuel lines, and flushing out any contaminants. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the fuel filter and clean or replace the fuel tank vent. Additionally, it is important to inspect the fuel tank for any signs of rust or leaks, especially if the tractor has been exposed to damp soil.
How to clean a John Deere plastic fuel tank
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Contamination | Water, bacteria, debris, gravel, dirt, rust, oil, grease, sludge |
| Tools | Pressure washer, garden pressure can, diesel, shop vac, hose, wrench |
| Steps | 1. Remove gas line from carburetor. 2. Drain gas tank. 3. Remove bowl of carburetor and drain. 4. Unscrew fuel cap. 5. Remove gas tank. 6. Clean tank with diesel and/or pressure washer. 7. Reinstall tank and fuel lines. 8. Pump out remaining fuel. |
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What You'll Learn
Removing debris from the fuel tank
To remove debris from the fuel tank of a John Deere tractor, you will first need to access the tank. This involves removing the rear engine side panels, the radiator side screens, and the cowl in front of the dashboard. Next, take off the radiator cap and the fuel tank cap, unbolt the rear hood bolts, turn the front hood latches, and remove the hood.
It is recommended to remove the muffler before attempting to remove the hood. If your tractor has a pre-cleaner and bowl, these can be removed by gently tapping on the bottom of the metal pre-cleaner housing where it slips over the intake stack.
Once the fuel tank is exposed, you can start the process of removing the debris. If the tank is almost empty, you can close the hand shut-off valve underneath the tank to save the remaining fuel. Alternatively, use an electric external pump to empty the tank.
Now, you can begin cleaning the tank. One method is to use a pressure washer, turning it inside the tank to spray and flush out any debris through the open bung at the bottom. You can also try siphoning the tank and sucking out the debris with a shop vac, especially if there is a significant amount of bacteria or water in the tank.
After removing the debris, it is important to rinse the tank. One user recommends spraying the interior with diesel to 'wash out' any residual water. Then, fill and purge the tank.
Before reinstalling the fuel tank, ensure that there is no debris in the fuel line by allowing low air to flow between the fuel filter and the tank.
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Cleaning the carburetor
To clean the carburetor of a John Deere tractor, you will first need to remove it from the engine. Once the carburetor is removed, clean all parts with carburetor cleaner and blow out all the small holes and passageways with compressed air. Be sure to remove all non-metallic parts, as the carburetor cleaner will cause them to decompose and disfigure.
Wash the metal parts with warm, soapy water, then rinse with clean water. Dry the parts by blowing them off with compressed air, ensuring that all passageways are completely dry before reassembling. It is important to note that you should always use a new carburetor rebuild kit for reassembly.
If your carburetor still does not work correctly after cleaning, you may need to take it to someone with an "Ultra-sonic" cleaning machine. This machine uses carb cleaner and ultrasonic vibrations to clean the small passageways.
If you are dealing with surface rust, you can use a piece of Scotch-Brite to remove it. For more stubborn rust, you may need to use a propane torch to heat the bowl around the main jet until it smokes, which should allow the jet to be removed easily. You can also soak the carburetor in a crockpot with vinegar, Murphy's oil soap, or Dawn detergent.
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Cleaning the gas line
To clean the gas line of a John Deere tractor, you will first need to remove the gas line from the carburetor. Then, drain the gas tank completely into a can. This process is faster with the gas cap off. Next, take the bowl of the carburetor off and drain it completely.
If your tractor has a fuel pump, you will need to empty it by cranking the motor over several times. This will cause the gas to exit the gas lines and dry out the cylinder, pushing any water out of the spark plug hole.
You can then hook the bowl back up, ensuring the needle valve is in the right place so it mates with the seat. Reattach the fuel line to the carburetor. Before pouring the mechanic in a bottle into the gas tank, ensure that the tank is dry and free of water.
If your tractor has a problem with bacteria in the tank, you can siphon the tank and use a shop vac to suck out the crud. Use a small hose to get down into the tank near the outlet fitting, and pour a small amount of diesel in to stir things up before vacuuming several times. Then, put a small engine filter in the line right out of the tank fitting to monitor and keep from fouling the large filter.
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Using diesel to wash the tank
If your John Deere plastic fuel tank has a build-up of sludge or sediment, or has been contaminated with water, you can use diesel to wash the tank.
First, you will need to drain the tank of any fuel and sludge. Depending on the model of your tractor, you may be able to do this by removing the petcock or fuel cap and draining the tank into a container. You can also try using a Vacula suction device or a wet/dry vacuum to remove the fuel and sludge. If your tank has a drain valve, you can use a hose to siphon the tank.
Once the tank is empty, you can begin the cleaning process. One method is to use a pressure washer turned inside the tank to spray down the interior, flushing out any remaining residue through the drain valve or opening. You can also use a garden spray can with diesel in it to spray the interior of the tank and wash out any residual water. Alternatively, you can pour a small amount of diesel into the tank, swish it around to stir up any remaining sludge or sediment, and then vacuum or siphon it out. Repeat this process until the tank is clean.
After washing the tank with diesel, it is important to ensure that the tank is completely dry before refilling it with fuel. You can use a hot air gun to speed up the drying process, or simply leave the tank to air dry. Once the tank is dry, you can reinstall it, replace the fuel filters, and refill it with fresh diesel.
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Pressure washing the tank
To pressure wash the tank, start by ensuring it is near empty. Then, unscrew the bung at the bottom of the tank. This will allow you to access the residual fuel and for the wastewater to drain out. Take a pressure washer and insert it inside the tank. Turn on the washer and spray as much of the interior of the tank as you can. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to remove any dirt, grime, or contaminants.
It is important to note that if your tractor did not receive a good pressure washing when it was new, the steel fuel tank and the steel fuel line that runs from the bottom of the fuel tank to the fuel pump may be susceptible to rusting. This is due to damp soil sitting in contact with these parts. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly pressure wash these areas to clean out any dirt and debris.
After pressure washing the tank, you may want to consider spraying the interior with diesel to wash out any residual water. Simply spray a small amount of diesel inside the tank, put the plug back in, and purge the tank. This will help ensure that your tank is free of any water contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove the gas line from the carburetor and drain the gas tank into a container. Take the bowl of the carburetor off and drain it completely. Then, spray the interior of the tank with diesel to wash out the residual water. Put the plug back in, fill it up, and purge it.
Siphon the tank and suck out the bacteria with a shop vac. Use a small hose to get near the outlet fitting. Pour a small amount of diesel inside and stir it up, then vacuum several times.
Remove the entire metal pan, fenders, and seat. Unbolt the tank, remove the fuel lines, and dump out the contents. Shake the tank to ensure all debris is removed. Repeat the process of dumping fuel in, swishing it around, and dumping it out again. Before reinstalling the tank, blow air into the fuel line to remove any small pieces.
