replacing fuel tank on front tine tiller

[mary]

I have a fifteen year old 5 hp Craftsman tiller, Briggs and Stratton engine.  Still runs great, but I am needing to replace the fuel tank.  I have a model number and know where to order it.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a video showing this done.  I've looked and looked on youtube but all I've found is replacing one on a bigger rear tine tiller, which is different.

Or can anyone give me pointers?

thanks, mary

[Bear Foot Farm]

If you have the model information you should be able to find at least a an assembly drawing online.

I imagine there are only a couple of screws holding it in place, although you may have to remove some other parts to access them.

[hermitjohn]

My brain still thinks of the old ones with the diaphram carb mounted on the tank. But pretty sure if its only 15 years old, it has a float carb where there is a fuel line from tank to the carb.

china-clone engine I have on my old Yazoo lawn mower came originally with an unlined steel tank. That rusted very quick with the modern gas. I used an old plastic Tecumseh tank mounted on handlebars for some time until it too went to Omaha from the plastic deteriorating from age. Now have some odd shaped plastic tank I found cheap on ebay mounted to handlebars. For some reason price of rubber fuel line went ballistic so go figure, using steel brake line bent in correct shape with couple pieces rubber line to connect it. It should last darn near forever.

Just saying if you have float carb, you dont need it to be like it came from factory. Just need the tank to be mounted higher than the carburetor. If you do want original Briggs tank, be aware it will be up towards $80 I think. Maybe more by now. And yes shouldnt be more than three or four bolts or machine screws holding it on. I vaguely remember some of the governor linkage mounted just under the tank on the newer Briggs. But again I am thinking flat head engine. You may well have an OHV engine, though it will still have a float carburetor.

[mary]

Thanks
I've ordered one that should get here this week. It looks like this.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MRQ81Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
I'm just guessing by the fact that I don't know some of the words in your post that maybe I just thought I'd be able to do it. But then, maybe Hubby will.
Empire Seed would, but they quoted me about $100 labor.

[hermitjohn]

Yep, newer than I am used to dealing with. Looks like couple holes down front at base. They dont show bottom of it. Perhaps thats how it bolts on? It should be obvious once you get it, look for bolt holes or other attachment points. $50 isnt too bad way things are priced and you get a new fuel cap, believe it or not some sell the cap separate.... and want $10 for it.

Pretty sure that $100 the place wanted to install it is pure profit. Take the minimum wage guy in back room ten minutes to change it out....

Since its plastic, wondering why you are replacing it? Has it deteriorated to point it cracked and leaks, in 15 years. Even left outside that ole Tecumseh plastic tank must lasted over 30 years and it set outside all those years.

[mary]

Yes, it is leaking badly. DH thinks it's from the ethanol in the gas making it deteriorate, and the guy at Empire Seed agrees. DH thought he could solve that problem with the new tank by buying jet fuel, but the Empire Seed guy says don't do that, it is too hot for the tiller. He tells me I can buy ethanol free gas at the Lowes but it will cost something like $18/gallon!

[hermitjohn]

Jet fuel is kerosene. He means aviation gas I am sure. Actually if there are no stations in your area selling no-alcohol fuel (usually it will be hi-test premium that is no alcohol) then go to a marina and buy gasoline sold for boats. Ask though, no sense buying expensive gas that still has alcohol. Some states that enforce the tough emissions rules also dont want non-emission gas sold.

Saying all that, I have had no problem burning alcohol gas in my lawn mower. I can blame it for rusting the original uncoated steel tank, but not cracking the 30 year old Tecumseh tank. Plastic has a lifespan, doesnt last forever. Course it depends how they made the plastic. The Amazon link you gave has reviews saying these Briggs tanks are prone to cracking. So I assume this one was made of inferior materials to make it more profitable. Briggs doesnt intend for their small engines to last more than 5 year unless you spring for their high end Vanguard models. So of course the parts are engineered down so they WONT last longer than five years. The Vanguard engines are made in Japan for Briggs, and last as well as any other top end Japanese engine. Cost as much or more too.

Personally I would find a tank off an OHV Honda engine (not the short life consumer oriented OHC HOnda engines), just find way to custom mount it above carburetor so fuel will flow to carburetor. The OHV Hondas were designed to last as long as you care to give them good maintenance. Treat them like carp and they dont last any longer than any other small engine. Do regular maintenance including regularly changing oil, not just topping it off, and they will last 20+ years.

[mary]

Thanks. Yes, I meant aviation fuel. We have a friend nearby who flies a small plane so he knows where to get it.

I considered just buying a new tiller since I bought this one in 2001. But it still works great. DH has rebuilt the carburetor a few times since we've had the ethanol issue, and I keep a carburetor kit in stock because of that. But it's running fine this year except for the gas leak issue.

The new fuel tank has already been shipped and I should be getting it in the next few days. If this one lasts as long as the last one did, I'll be happy with that.

[hermitjohn]

Yea even if it only lasts as long as your old one, it will probably outlast the engine. I dont think aviation gas would hurt anything if you have easy access to it. Personally I would not worry using it. Its just more highly refined, with extra additives to prevent icing and such things. Its not going to blow up or melt your engine. If you dont like how engine runs on it, switch to something else.

[mary]

I thought about removing that old tank yesterday but it was windy so I didn't want to mess with it. While I was still looking at Facebook this morning, eating my breakfast, DH popped out the door and back in carrying the fuel line. It looked pretty bad and he thought that might have been all it really needed

So I went down to Empire Seed after lunch and picked up another fuel line, a couple of clamps like DH wanted (said the old one wasn't clamped) and an air filter. He'll go ahead and put the new tank on while he's at it. I think it's an easier job than he was thinking at first that it might be.

I should be tilling the garden in another day or two.

[mary]

It turned out that the fuel tank really was cracked. DH spent a few minute Monday morning taking it off, and a few minutes on his lunch break today putting it back together.

It now has a new fuel tank, new gas line, and new air filter, and is good to go!

Thanks for your help

[Bear Foot Farm]

Nice to hear there was a happy ending!