'12 RTV 1100 fuel tank issues.

N

N8ECH

New member
Ladies and Gents:
I am trying to help my elderly neighbor get his RTV back up and running. It appears that the fuel tank is suffering from algae in the bottom. We have swapped fuel filters twice. The first time a year ago, it would idle rough at times, and occasionally stall. The new filter seemed to help.
Now, we are on round 2. Replacing the filter a second time had no effect. Currently, I have drained the tank, and can see what looks like algae or other foreign matter near the pickup in the bottom.

Any hints on how to remove said stuff without removing the tank? Also, what is the best way to assure that the pickup is open and ready for business?

Thanks in advance!

Don
 
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Hi and welcome N8ECH . :) That's really nice of you to help your friend. I never had that problem in a machine but have seen it in old fuel tanks here on the farm. We now use fuel conditioner and turn over our diesel fairly quickly. We only have a 500 g tank and can go thru that in a month when every thing is running. I saw this product mentioned on the internet and the reviews seem good. But again, I haven't tried it. Here's the link - be sure to read the reviews at the bottom. :) https://smile.amazon.com/FPPF-KILLE...s=diesel+fuel+algaecide&qid=1613008827&sr=8-4
 
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BC:
The links are appreciated. At this point, I am trying to figure how to get this thing back up and running. We are in the midst of several rounds of snow here in SW Ohio, and the RTV is how we clear the driveways.

Don
 
You could get some Chums Pouch microfiber cleaning cloth (amazon has it ..and others I'm sure) and put on the end of a long, mechanical 'grabber' (easily found at an auto-shop) you can wipe the inside of the tank... the dead growth will look like a brown sludge. Then fill tank and add whatever diesel biocide you're going to use and let it sit for 24hrs, drain and repeat cleaning with Chums cloth. Then fill tank once again with diesel and biocide, cross fingers and see if you can get it to fire up. Good luck..

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Hi Doc:
Thanks for your comments. I am debating on removing the tank. I want to be sure that the fuel line coming out of the bottom is clear. It's insane that a piece of equipment that costs what these do, can be hobbled by such a simple thing. Or course, Kubota could have designed it so that you don't have to stand on your head to change the danged fuel filter! From what I have read online, these RTV's can be all kinds of "fun" when they need service.

Don
 
If that model has the side panel next to the filter like my 2005 and 2011 /12 900's did, removing it it makes it a little easier to change the fuel filter but .. it's still like herding a wad of cats through a hole in a fence. Doc has a good idea I think. My arm was small enough that I could actually get in the tank a ways. Used to have a picture posted on here but no idea where it would be.(was probably 10 years ago.) When you have the filter off, try gently back blowing with the air compressor on the hose going to the bottom of the tank with the cap off. Good Luck !!
 
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A large (60 gal/125 psi) shop compressor running a siphon blow-gun can vacuum-out/suck-out sludge but the ability to move the suction hose around to every corner of the tank might be a problem. I once placed a 3’ long chain into a tank and drove it around for a month to clean out a rusted and contaminated tractor fuel tank. It kept the fuel filter/screen full of junk and I had to regularly clean it... but eventually that tank became spotless. It’s not a quick process however. You are probably better off to remove the tank and have it steam cleaned.
 
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To all:
Thanks for your continued commentary! I have an update, and it's good but as always, could have been better.

I removed the tank, and verified that the pick up on the bottom was plugged with the light brown sludgy stuff. The tank has been flushed with hot water, and is currently drying over the laundry sink.

Removing the tank requires the following:

#1. Remove the RR wheel
#2. Remove the fender above it (4 bolts)
#3 Remove the air filter cannister. (2 bolts, and one hose clamp)
#4. Remove the 2 tank strap bolts from under the tank
#5. Disconnect the fuel sender wires, and the top and bottom hoses.
#6. Slide tank slightly up, and rearward towards the rear axle, and out.

Mind you, all this is outdoors, in our wonderful 20ish degree SW Ohio weather. Of COURSE, such things don't happen in the spring when it's sunny and 70 out.

Wouldn't you know, the PIA fuel filter is RIGHT THERE once you remove the tank.

Don
 
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Well:
I am ready to put a rag in to the tank, and light it!!!!!! I guess the neighbor would likely frown on that though.
It's back together, and just cranking away. I assume there may be air in the injector lines. IMO, a huge drawback to the otherwise many fine things that diesel power offers. Any hints on how to get the air out? I saw a fellow crack the fuel lines at the injectors on the same neighbors Case diesel backhoe to get it started. I really hope such a thing can be avoided here . Right before the battery crapped out, it acted like it was going to fire up.

Don
 
I hooked the fuel filter up on mine coming from the tank first and let the filter fill with diesel . I had the other end crimped so less fuel would be lost , and slid it on quickly . Maybe your almost there. :) be careful with the starter though.
 
Part of the issue, again something I believe to be a poor design, is that the majority of the access to the engine is from under the dump bed. Since it won't run, I cannot raise the bed. Any thoughts on that?

Don
 
put the hydraulic bed lift lever in the futhest forward detent or float setting and then you can raise the bed by hand. there should be a little clip on the frame that you can place on the ram to hold it up. you can reach in the tank with your hand through the filler cap and wipe out the crud if need be. loosen the nut on the injector lines at the injector and crank until you get a good flow of fuel. tighten the nuts and it should start. make sure your fuel shut off solenoid isn't malfunctioning.
 
Good info there Aurt! The tank issues have been taken care of. Now, gotta get the air out of those lines. I'll report back tomorrow.
Hopefully, I'll have a big smile, and the neighbor and I will have snow free driveways once again.

Don
 
I have had good success in using simple white vinegar to remove sludge, rust and algae from tanks. Drain the tank. block off or cap off all hoses. fill the tank with white vinegar past the level where the sludge or algae is and let it sit for a day or two. if you can rock the tank you can throw in some steel bolts or nuts, while rocking the tank they slide around the bottom and sides helping remove the debris. on plastic tanks you can use a magnet on the outside to drag the metal nuts around the bottom and side of the tank scraping off the debris from the inside. (don't use stainless nuts or bolts magnets don't work on them) then use a magnet to remove the bolts from the tank, keep track of how many you put in, and remove the same number, drain and rinse the tank with water then clean diesel fuel then let the tank air dry to remove any water left over. you should have a clean tank now.
 
I have good news to report! Thanks to aurtheritus, I was able to raise the bed as he described. The bed was pretty heavy, but I managed to raise it. Next, I cracked the injector fittings one at at a time starting with the one closest to the pump. The 17mm open end was the correct size, Once I had fuel at all three injectors, I closed them back up, and started cranking. It did not fire right off, and after a couple of good cranks, would run about 10 seconds, and then die. One last good crank, with my foot on the go pedal, and it stayed running!

I now know more than I ever wanted to know about diesels, but it's something that is bound to come in handy should I ever have a similar issue with my Grasshopper 721D mower.

Thanks very much all of you!

Don
 
Good job!!! Glad you got it going and that you shared the gory details with the rest of us who might need this info if we find ourselves in a similar situation. :tiphat: :clap:
 
I spend quite a bit of time on Dodge auto forums offering, and receiving similar help. It's a easy way to learn about your given machine, and possibly save some money along the way. If nothing else, you can be armed with some knowledge, so that you might keep the dealer or other repair shop from taking you for a proverbial ride.

Don
 
Hello again:
Just wanted to follow up with good news. As many folks are across the US, we have had several rounds of snow here in SW Ohio recently. After getting this RTV's fuel tank cleaned out, it has been running like a champ. I have been able to keep his and our driveway cleared off with no trouble. Both are roughly 200 feet long. It's a very handy machine for sure! I'd love to have one, but was surprised to find that you can easily spend $20k on one. That's a really nice used car in my budget world.

Don
 
N8ECH said:
Hello again:
Just wanted to follow up with good news. As many folks are across the US, we have had several rounds of snow here in SW Ohio recently. After getting this RTV's fuel tank cleaned out, it has been running like a champ. I have been able to keep his and our driveway cleared off with no trouble. Both are roughly 200 feet long. It's a very handy machine for sure! I'd love to have one, but was surprised to find that you can easily spend $20k on one. That's a really nice used car in my budget world.

Don
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Good on you for helping your neighbor. New is expensive but you can find a good used one for 1/3 of the new price. I did that 7 years ago and have been plowing up to 1500 feet of drives including a couple neighbors and other chores like hauling wood and other yard needs.
 
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