Fuel drain on PT36

[dave.mills]

I have a "water in fuel" light on my dash, so I opened the drain in the water collection box underneath the tank. It looked like pure diesel - no water. Then, when I closed the fuel drain valve, it started dripping at the base of the valve shaft. Does it sound like the "water in fuel" is probably a faulty sensor? Also, does anyone know the specs on the drain valve. I think it might be a 1/4 or 3/8 NPT? I need to replace it pronto.

[wtwtw]

Is it threaded so maybe you can put a plug in it for now. You will want to run most of the fuel out in order to change it, or be real quick

[dave.mills]

Bill, yes, it is threaded but I'm unsure what threading it uses. I have a full 300 gallons in the tank! A plug would be great if I knew for sure it was 1/4 NPT or ? Thanks for the comment.

[Fujimo]

David you can pull a vacuum on your tank and remove your leaking valve or sender done this many times. Good luck

[wtwtw]

keep in mind if you try to pull a vacuum that there may be a vent in the line as mine has.

Plugs are cheap buy a 3/8 and a 1/4 npt

[dave.mills]

Paul, Bill,
All great advice! I'll get both valves and find a shop to pull the vacuum.
Dave

[Rick Davis]

Dave, after fixing the leak, don't worry about the "water in fuel" light. You might be able to clean the terminal up and it then work, otherwise just unplug the wire at the sensor at the bottom of the tank. I don't find that sensor to be of any great use. Buy good fuel, use fuel treatment, check and change your Racor, keep the tank full during storage, etc., etc.

[dave.mills]

Rick,
Thank you very much. I've gotten a lot of good news tonight. Earlier today, things were not looking so good. But now, it's looking pretty good.

Thanks to all.

If anyone knows if there is a vent on the 300 gal tank, that would be helpful.

Dave

[Rick Davis]

There is another alternative. Throw some bubble gum around the leak and take the long route here. Arrive to the barn fairly empty and we could change it in the pit.

[dave.mills]

Rick,
Thanks. I already tried plugging it with a product called leak-n-place unsuccessfully. And the tank goes on reserve at 30 gallons so I'd have to drive and use up 270 gallon before it gets there. And then at that point if I tried to replace the valve, I think almost as much would leak out as if as if the tank were full. I tried to think of other temporary solutions (like bubble gum), but haven't come up with any. The diesel fuel actively leaking seems to destroy any type of plug I try to put in there. if I could temporarily stop the leak and get it dry, I know I could patch it then.I'm may try rigging up some kind of a vacuum situation myself. Thanks again for all the ideas.