Diesel Tank function without Vent

[ratface]

I have a CASE 1490 with two tanks, one on either side or saddle tanks as they are known. I want to eliminate the non fill tank from the system. My Fuel gauge has never worked and the sending unit is in the tank I want to eliminate. If my research is correct the vent tube is also at the top of this tank leaving me without a dedicated vent tube. The remaining tank will be appx 12 gallons. More than enough for my needs. It would simplify my life as the tanks are old and I am always fixing leaks. 12 gallons would be much easier to keep track of in one tank. The tractor uses a vented fuel cap and I have purchased a new one to make sure it works. Will a vented fuel cap give me enough venting for 12 gallons of diesel?

 

[paul]

I hope you keep the parts to go back on for the next person, 12 gallons isn’t that much for a 70 hp tractor for most everyone else.

Would think a vented fuel cap would be enough to breath?

Paul

 

[rustred]

I have a CASE 1490 with two tanks, one on either side or saddle tanks as they are known. I want to eliminate the non fill tank from the system. My Fuel gauge has never worked and the sending unit is in the tank I want to eliminate. If my research is correct the vent tube is also at the top of this tank leaving me without a dedicated vent tube. The remaining tank will be appx 12 gallons. More than enough for my needs. It would simplify my life as the tanks are old and I am always fixing leaks. 12 gallons would be much easier to keep track of in one tank. The tractor uses a vented fuel cap and I have purchased a new one to make sure it works. Will a vented fuel cap give me enough venting for 12 gallons of diesel?

Sure as long as u have the return line going to the tank and a vented cap. Fuel tanks have collapsed due to no vents.

 

[Tx Jim]

Simplest way to install a vent in a non vented fuel tank is via a fuel cap that is vented

 

[Janicholson]

Sure as long as u have the return line going to the tank and a vented cap. Fuel tanks have collapsed due to no vents.

Major deal here. The diesel fuel bypass from the pump and injection system must be connected to the remaining tank. Jim

 

[ratface]

Major deal here. The diesel fuel bypass from the pump and injection system must be connected to the remaining tank. Jim

Not really sure what the diesel bypass is, I know the lift pump feeds from the tank I am keeping and the pump feeds the injection pump, is that what you are talking about Jim?

 

[ratface]

schematic

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Not really sure what the diesel bypass is, I know the lift pump feeds from the tank I am keeping and the pump feeds the injection pump, is that what you are talking about Jim?

The injector pump pumps more fuel than the engine consumes to lubricate and cool the pump. It circulates that extra fuel back to the tank. All diesel tractors are set up this way.

 

[ratface]

I have Bled the system several times and have run into the return lines, I will check and see where they return to but am pretty sure it's the fill tank, the tractor resides a couple hours from me presently so cannot verify immediately. The issue started when both tanks started leaking from the bottom. I suspect the crossover hose became porous, it looks perpetually saturated with fuel. I think it was soaking into old grass clippings lodged on top of the steel covering plate where it lay making it appear as both tanks were leaking. It appears to be the original hose from 1983 as it had orange paint on it and I don't know if fuel hose made to resist deterioration had been invented yet, it might just be a standard rubber hose.

 

[ratface]

here is the crossover hose: picture won't load, my apologies

 

[ratface]

maybe this time? doesn't like that picture for some reason.

 

[moresmoke]

Why not just replace the crossover hose? Design life of most rubber hose is 10 years. I would say you got your money’s worth if it is still original after 40 years.

 

[rustred]

I have Bled the system several times and have run into the return lines, I will check and see where they return to but am pretty sure it's the fill tank, the tractor resides a couple hours from me presently so cannot verify immediately. The issue started when both tanks started leaking from the bottom. I suspect the crossover hose became porous, it looks perpetually saturated with fuel. I think it was soaking into old grass clippings lodged on top of the steel covering plate where it lay making it appear as both tanks were leaking. It appears to be the original hose from 1983 as it had orange paint on it and I don't know if fuel hose made to resist deterioration had been invented yet, it might just be a standard rubber hose.

No it’s not standard hose , it is a fuel rated hose and even says right on the hose lots of times. Ordinary hose would last one day and swell up and be a done deal. Check that hose out and replace it , very simple fix . Why make things complicated ?

 

[rustred]

No it’s not standard hose , it is a fuel rated hose and even says right on the hose lots of times. Ordinary hose would last one day and swell up and be a done deal. Check that hose out and replace it , very simple fix . Why make things complicated ?

Now I see that hose. Looks more like an air hose sort of deal. I would just get the actual diesel rated hose , some weatherhead fittings and install the hose neatly to length not hanging there like an eye sore waiting to get caught in something . Then u can use the tractor for more than 2 hrs. Before running out of fuel.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Most truck parts houses will have fuel line. Your fittings are probably the replaceable style so they can be reused without buying fittings. Just replace the hose. IF the bottom of the tank is a problem just cut it out and weld in a new bottom of thicker material. or get a new used tank from junkyard. Less work than modifying it and then walking is not fun either when out of fuel a half mile or more from the tank. 12 gallon goes pretty fast if working very much.

 

[ratface]

You guys are talking me into replacing the entire crossover. The tractor uses about 1.7 gallons per hour, but I just use it for loader work or cutting grass on my CRP which is only 10acres although it takes me 5 1/2 hours to cut it with a 7 foot hog. I don't use more than 50 gallons per year. Since the fuel gauge doesn't work it would just have simplified keeping track of fuel.

I am trying to find 1 3/8 fuel hose locally but it is proving a chore, none of the major auto stores carry it in a 24 inch length except O'Reilys and they want $38 bucks a foot. As an Aside CASE really bolted these tanks on with some major hardware, I doubt they ever intended their removal, it's doable but I would not look forward to it. Should the leak actually be coming from the fill tank itself I will have no choice. I have seen the tanks available from salvage.

 

[flying belgian]

I have a CASE 1490 with two tanks, one on either side or saddle tanks as they are known. I want to eliminate the non fill tank from the system. My Fuel gauge has never worked and the sending unit is in the tank I want to eliminate. If my research is correct the vent tube is also at the top of this tank leaving me without a dedicated vent tube. The remaining tank will be appx 12 gallons. More than enough for my needs. It would simplify my life as the tanks are old and I am always fixing leaks. 12 gallons would be much easier to keep track of in one tank. The tractor uses a vented fuel cap and I have purchased a new one to make sure it works. Will a vented fuel cap give me enough venting for 12 gallons of diesel?

I don't have answers to your question but I thought I was familiar with JI case tractors but I didn't know what a 1490 was. Tractor data calls it a utility tractor yet it has 34" rears. I thought it was a lower horsepower 2090 but it is not. Built in England and the 2090 is built in Racine. Neighbor had a 2290. He really liked that tractor and it was very reliable. He was a good operator and had green and red and the 2290 He got good service from all but the Case was the best.

 

[Tx Jim]

1.7 GPH of fuel is very thrifty for a 83 engine HP tractor. Nebraska tests has it listed it at 4.2 GPH of fuel consumption at full load. Tractordata.com also states it's the same as a David Brown.

 

[ratface]

TX. Jim , I have been looking for that info for years, didn't realize I had to click further into the document to get the test data, that clearly means I am wrong about fuel consumption and something is going on. I have read on several other forums of two instances where the non fill tank was not emptying due to venting issues. The guy said each tank has to vent individually and that is how he got them to equalize but the CASE schematic says otherwise?

 

[DRussell]

I don't have answers to your question but I thought I was familiar with JI case tractors but I didn't know what a 1490 was. Tractor data calls it a utility tractor yet it has 34" rears. I thought it was a lower horsepower 2090 but it is not. Built in England and the 2090 is built in Racine. Neighbor had a 2290. He really liked that tractor and it was very reliable. He was a good operator and had green and red and the 2290 He got good service from all but the Case was the best.

A 1490 was a David Brown.