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Cman Riding Mower Fuel Cap Leak

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Rhyno

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With the "Hippie Fuel" (Gasoline with Too much Alcohol) introduced to my area, I am finally living all of the "Nightmares" that I have heard others complain about. Well, I have been experiencing it for 3-4 years, but I am sick of their overpriced failures.......

Anyways.....

The alcohol eats/deteriorates rubber.....My gas cap has been spilling out fuel, while on corners. The Alcohol has also dried out the tire that it spilled on, too.


So, I decided to repair versus replace....

Here is the cap style...

125-668.jpg


http://www.fixmytoys.net/images/stens/125-668.jpg

I had some rubber sitting around, left overs from work....

IMAG3913.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3913.jpg
 
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Rhyno

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I used a pick to pull out the pieces.

I remembered the Rubber that I had, after I saw what I was working with. Hopefully, it'll last a long time.

IMAG3908.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3908.jpg

Then I did some measuring and drawing and cutting.

IMAG3907.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3907.jpg

My cheap scissors failed (I've even repaired them), but my little Klein scissors did the trick.

IMAG3910.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3910.jpg
 
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Chace365

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I'd suggest using StarTron fuel treatment to prevent things getting messed up in the carb, too. Seriously good stuff. If the ethanol can do that to a gas cap gasket, imagine what that **** will do to the carb seat and other components.
 
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mike13u

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S.Florida
Chace365 said:
I'd suggest using StarTron fuel treatment to prevent things getting messed up in the carb, too. Seriously good stuff. If the ethanol can do that to a gas cap gasket, imagine what that **** will do to the carb seat and other components.
Click to expand...

If you live near a station you could just use recreation or rec-fuel and you wont have to buy that treatment, make gaskets, or clean the jets of a carb again for a long time. There is a website that lists all the recreation fuel (ethanol free) gas stations in each state. I'm lucky to live in Florida where so many have boats and jet skis that we have some 500 stations that have rec-fuel pumps. Maybe see if there is one near you. :beer:
 
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Rhyno

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mike13u said:
If you live near a station you could just use recreation or rec-fuel and you wont have to buy that treatment, make gaskets, or clean the jets of a carb again for a long time. There is a website that lists all the recreation fuel (ethanol free) gas stations in each state. I'm lucky to live in Florida where so many have boats and jet skis that we have some 500 stations that have rec-fuel pumps. Maybe see if there is one near you. :beer:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up......I'll look and try to find a station. :beer:
 
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Engine

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I use Stabil ethanol treatment for my outboard motor gas. I have not had any problems with the fuel system for over two years since I have been using it. It should be good for mowers too.

According to their website: "Marine Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer was specifically designed to prevent Ethanol fuel related damage in marine engines. Protects against corrosion caused by today’s Ethanol blended fuels..."
 
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Rhyno

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Engine said:
I use Stabil ethanol treatment for my outboard motor gas. I have not had any problems with the fuel system for over two years since I have been using it. It should be good for mowers too.

According to their website: "Marine Formula STA-BIL® Ethanol Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer was specifically designed to prevent Ethanol fuel related damage in marine engines. Protects against corrosion caused by today’s Ethanol blended fuels..."
Click to expand...

Thanks.....:beer:

I do use traditional/old Stabil, but maybe I am going to have to change....??

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Tbirdtc

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I run over priced gas from a quart can in all but my rider and I shut down my rider on hi octane non ethanol (quart can)gas at end of year (now)

It is a fact that the new 90/10 gas 90% gas is **** . I also pick up broken mowers on side of roads I find a lot with completely deteriorated lines !
Did the lines all the sudden get bad or did something change????
Well when I find a 5 year old mower and my 30 yeAr old mower have the same rotted in half fuel line I believe the **** fuel flocked it up
The original fuel line lasted 31 years then rotted in half every 2 years and I find 5 to 10 year old mowers with lines that rotted too
Y can't there be law suits my mower is screwed by new fuel if this was a oem's fault we would all get new engines if it happened to a Toyota car there would be a class action law suit

You can buy non ethenol gas at hd ,sears ,ace and most small engine shops , I have yet to see a sticker that says it's illegal to put it in your car
Our flockin government doesn't care if u spend 20$ per gallon to get descent gas
 
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dogdog

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the question is about material of choice, will that rubber piece withstand gasoline melting/dissolving it after some time.
 
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Rhyno

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Tbirdtc said:
I run over priced gas from a quart can in all but my rider and I shut down my rider on hi octane non ethanol (quart can)gas at end of year (now)

It is a fact that the new 90/10 gas 90% gas is **** . I also pick up broken mowers on side of roads I find a lot with completely deteriorated lines !
Did the lines all the sudden get bad or did something change????
Well when I find a 5 year old mower and my 30 yeAr old mower have the same rotted in half fuel line I believe the **** fuel flocked it up
The original fuel line lasted 31 years then rotted in half every 2 years and I find 5 to 10 year old mowers with lines that rotted too
Y can't there be law suits my mower is screwed by new fuel if this was a oem's fault we would all get new engines if it happened to a Toyota car there would be a class action law suit

You can buy non ethenol gas at hd ,sears ,ace and most small engine shops , I have yet to see a sticker that says it's illegal to put it in your car
Our flockin government doesn't care if u spend 20$ per gallon to get descent gas
Click to expand...


I feel your pain!! :mad:

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ludakris04

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This may have answered my question from this weekend. My cman push mower was leaking gas on its maiden cut of the season. Its only a year old..
 
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kbs2244

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For the last few years I have been using premium gas in all my non computer engines.
Lawn tractor, snow blower, leaf blower, etc.
Rumor has it that it is non ethanol and the engines do start faster and run better,
I have never had any of these type problems.
The amount of gas I use is small enough that the extra dollars are worth it.
 
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Rhyno

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I took it for a test drive, with hard right turns. The fuel spillage was definitely less, but was still there.

Upon closer inspection, the fuel tank neck has become sun warped or was poorly machined. The new gasket sealed it up, but not 100%.

I put a straight edge on the sealing surface, and found a low spot directly above the spill marks on the fender.

Using a Blue Sharpie, in a similar fashion that you would use DyKem. I marked up the sealing surface and started filing. The whole time changing stroke direction and layout.

IMAG3950.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3950.jpg

IMAG3948.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3948.jpg

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Rhyno

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kbs2244 said:
For the last few years I have been using premium gas in all my non computer engines.
Lawn tractor, snow blower, leaf blower, etc.
Rumor has it that it is non ethanol and the engines do start faster and run better,
I have never had any of these type problems.
The amount of gas I use is small enough that the extra dollars are worth it.
Click to expand...

I hate to rain on your parade, but higher octane levels (found in Premium Fuels) will only combat Too much compression, too much Timing, or too fat of a Wallet.....

And only two of those are rare with a Lawn Mower.....:D

But the Hippies and the Govt have mandated a Specific Alcohol %....

I'm doing my damned-ness to kill rumors with truth and examples..... :D


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Rhyno

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Rhyno

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Rhyno

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After a while, I cleaned the melted spots with rubbing alcohol and started mixing up some 2 part Epoxy.

IMAG3977.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3977.jpg

I put a pretty large "Cap" on it.

As I sat there and tried to control the drips, I noticed another large crack, under the seat and other fender.

IMAG3978.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd424/BlueLightRhyno/Fuel Cap Repair/IMAG3978.jpg

Of course, since all of the tools were out, I applied the same "love."

But then , I realized that this was a "short Term" fix, and I'll probably have to do some Aluminum Origami, and weld up a new tank......

Hopefully this will get me through the season.

I'll try to post a follow up.........
 
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EdT

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It matters to me. Not so much from the specifics of the problems worked on as from the perspective that things can be fixed and made to work again if you have some skills and are willing to take the time to do it. After all, if it's not working, how much worse can it get if you try to fix it.
With specific regard to the "ethanol" problem, it seems to eat up the fuel lines on cheapo 2 cycle engines in a season or less. If you are unskilled in these matters it will generally cost more to have Billy Bob's small engines replace the lines than it will cost to just replace the weed whacker. Especially if the little filter screen in the carb is clogged up with bits of old fuel line. I was once involved with a major manufacturer of string trimmers and they were set up to make 24 a minute as I recall. So, if you have to sell that many trimmers, there is little incentive to put in lines that last longer. After all it's not their fault that the gas is corrosive to the fuel system and, if they continue with the low buck fuel line, they can continue to sell trimmers. I generally fix them myself, but only because my time is "free". I have learned that sometimes the reward is not worth the effort and I'm better at declaring defeat and moving on. Not that the whatever can't be fixed, just sometimes it's not worth it. The whole ethanol thing is a total boondoggle IMHO. Guys who grow corn are happy, but it doesn't work very well and makes a lot of other stuff more expensive.
 
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Rhyno

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EdT said:
.....It matters to me. Not so much from the specifics of the problems worked on as from the perspective that things can be fixed and made to work again if you have some skills and are willing to take the time to do it.........
Click to expand...


Thanks for the reply.....That's what I was looking for....



EdT said:
.........With specific regard to the "ethanol" problem, it seems to eat up the fuel lines on cheapo 2 cycle engines in a season or less. If you are unskilled in these matters it will generally cost more to have Billy Bob's small engines replace the lines than it will cost to just replace the weed whacker. Especially if the little filter screen in the carb is clogged up with bits of old fuel line. I was once involved with a major manufacturer of string trimmers and they were set up to make 24 a minute as I recall. So, if you have to sell that many trimmers, there is little incentive to put in lines that last longer. After all it's not their fault that the gas is corrosive to the fuel system and, if they continue with the low buck fuel line, they can continue to sell trimmers. I generally fix them myself, but only because my time is "free". I have learned that sometimes the reward is not worth the effort and I'm better at declaring defeat and moving on. Not that the whatever can't be fixed, just sometimes it's not worth it. The whole ethanol thing is a total boondoggle IMHO. Guys who grow corn are happy, but it doesn't work very well and makes a lot of other stuff more expensive.
Click to expand...



You have some good points and thanks for sharing your experience..:D

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