Catching the gas when draining a IH 330 fuel tank?

[JC Davis]

My 330 utility too often ends up with debris in the fuel tank. This time, I want to drain the tank, let it dry, and vacuum the junk out of it.

I've drained it a couple of times over the last dozen years, but have not devised a way to keep the gas from running down the side of the casting and picking up whatever dirt is there. I'd like to catch the gas and be able to use it.

Have any of you found a good way to do t his?

 

[DoubleO7]

My 330 utility too often ends up with debris in the fuel tank. This time, I want to drain the tank, let it dry, and vacuum the junk out of it.

I've drained it a couple of times over the last dozen years, but have not devised a way to keep the gas from running down the side of the casting and picking up whatever dirt is there. I'd like to catch the gas and be able to use it.

Have any of you found a good way to do t his?

I have used an Prestone antifreeze style jug or a one quart oil bottle. cut the lower half of big side out near the bottom.
Now you have like an offset funnel via the un capped end.
Kinda like this picture using what bottle will fit.

 

[JC Davis]

That looks doable. Thanks!

 

[Hemmjo]

My 330 utility too often ends up with debris in the fuel tank. This time, I want to drain the tank, let it dry, and vacuum the junk out of it.

I've drained it a couple of times over the last dozen years, but have not devised a way to keep the gas from running down the side of the casting and picking up whatever dirt is there. I'd like to catch the gas and be able to use it.

Have any of you found a good way to do t his?

I am not familiar with that tractor. Can you remove the fuel line from the carb and slip a rubber hose one the end?

If you cannot do that get a piece of 3/8” clear vinyl hose to siphon it out the top. Put a piece of wire inside so you can bend it to get all of the fuel out.

Be VERY CAREFUL sticking an vacuum in the tank. The fumes may explode when they contact the brushes in the motor.

 

[greenmech]

I am not familiar with that tractor. Can you remove the fuel line from the carb and slip a rubber hose one the end?

If you cannot do that get a piece of 3/8” clear vinyl hose to siphon it out the top. Put a piece of wire inside so you can bend it to get all of the fuel out.

Be VERY CAREFUL sticking an vacuum in the tank. The fumes may explode when they contact the brushes in the motor.

I was thinking the same about the vacuum. Ron MN

 

[Mark-Ia]

Do not use a vacuum

 

[Steve@Advance]

My 330 utility too often ends up with debris in the fuel tank. This time, I want to drain the tank, let it dry, and vacuum the junk out of it.

I've drained it a couple of times over the last dozen years, but have not devised a way to keep the gas from running down the side of the casting and picking up whatever dirt is there. I'd like to catch the gas and be able to use it.

Have any of you found a good way to do t his?

The debris is probably not getting into the tank unless your fuel supply is contaminated. If so that needs to be addressed first.

It is more likely the inside of the tank is flaking rust. If it is, cleaning will only be a short term fix and may even start it leaking. The long term fix is to replace the tank. There are pour in liners, some say they work well, others have had them fail. I've never tried it personally.

And 2x on not using the vacuum cleaner!

 

[JC Davis]

"Be VERY CAREFUL sticking an vacuum in the tank. The fumes may explode when they contact brushes in the motor."

Yeah, I think that could make a very effective gas bomb.

I was planning to make sure the tank was bone dry. But I have had a better idea. I'm going to try sucking the fuel and dirt out with a Super Soaker.

Seems worth a try.

The debris is probably not getting into the tank unless your fuel supply is contaminated. If so that needs to be addressed first.

It is more likely the inside of the tank is flaking rust. If it is, cleaning will only be a short term fix and may even start it leaking. The long term fix is to replace the tank. There are pour in liners, some say they work well, others have had them fail. I've never tried it personally.

And 2x on not using the vacuum cleaner!

Nah... I can just solder a standpipe of fine screen to the sediment bowl housing inlet. Done it several times. And the inside of the tank looks good. Just a pain to get the gas out, but, using the Super Soaker, the tank is nearly empty.