New to Forum, need fuel supply help on my 184

[drafter777]

I just purchased this tractor from a friend. It will start and run and then shuts off. Doing a little trouble shooting I drained the old gas out and at the same time put in a clear filter to see if I was getting fuel from the tank. I get enough to crank it but it won't pull anymore fuel through the filter. It's like it's lost prime to the carburetor. I even tried pulling the line loose at the carb and I'll get a little bit of fuel in the filter. Same thing, when the fuel is gone it shuts off. Runs great when it is running though. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Eugene]

Use a gravity fed fuel filter, not one for an engne with a fuel pump.

[drafter777]

Thank you. I will try that.

[outdoors4evr]

I've never done this part before... Did you make sure you turned on the gas valve?

Other things to check are making sure the gas cap vent is open. Should be able to blow air through the holes in the cap.

[Dale Finch]

I've never done this part before... Did you make sure you turned on the gas valve?

Nope! I'm sure NO ONE else has EVER done that!!!

As for the inline filter, as Eugene pointed out, use the little ones for engines like a lawn mower (no fuel pump on a cub). And make sure it is installed in the correct direction...usually an arrow pointing in the fuel flow direction.

[Eugene]

As for the inline filter, as Eugene pointed out, use the little ones for engines like a lawn mower (no fuel pump on a cub). And make sure it is installed in the correct direction...usually an arrow pointing in the fuel flow direction.

The auto parts store will have full size gravity feed fuel filters for 1/4" fuel lines. Just have to ask.

[getitrunning]

if its anything like a 154 there should be sediment bowl with a screen inside and a valve on the top. make sure valve is open and screen is clean. if fuel flow is still slow try removing gas cap and blowing compressed air backwards through the fuel line. if there is obstruction it will probably clear it. I once got a tractor that had some piece of crud that got in the ta\nk and kept blocking fuel flow. the compressed air straightened it out quickly.

[drafter777]

Well, I found my culprit. Rust and sediment in the fuel tank. I've worked and cleaned but still can't get everything out of the tank. With the baffle I'm concerned I'll never get it completely clean. Guess I'll order a new tank. I rebuilt the carburetor already and it had a lot of sediment in it too. It's clean and good to go now. Looking forward to getting it running right.

[Bob McCarty]

You might try this before buying a new tank: viewtopic.php?f=139&t=98978

[drafter777]

You might try this before buying a new tank: viewtopic.php?f=139&t=98978

I really appreciate the link to this. Someone had already done this and I wondered about the filter screen. I am going to order the screen and add as a precaution to the new sediment assembly and tank. Looking in the old tank there is so much scale and rust on the baffle and no way to tell what's behind it. I've cleaned with lacquer thinner and can still hear stuff "rattling" around in the tank but can't get it to come forward to get it out. Rather than contaminate the fuel system again I feel it's better to do the new tank for added insurance. Thanks again!

[Eugene]

There are several gas tank liners that will seal debris in the tank. Less expensive than a new tank.

POR and Red Kote are two that I'm familiar with. I installed Red Kote in a standard Cub's tank close to 20 years ago, still holding.

Be sure to absolutely follow the directions on the container.

[drafter777]

New tank, new sediment bowl, new plugs and fresh carburetor rebuild.......RUNS GREAT!!! Now to make it steer and stop better.