RandyL 53 #1 Posted October 30, 2021 Good day all. My first post to this very helpful forum. I have been reading and learning for weeks. It has certainly cleared up a lot of issues with my 74 (?) C-120 automatic. To get it stared I had to replace all the fuel line, put a new o-ring in the fuel shut off, and remove, clean, and unstick the valves in the fuel pump. Got her running nice. The situation I have is there is a minor fuel leak at the tank. I believe it is where the valve is installed in the tank. The valve spins around pretty freely in the bottom of the tank but I have been afraid to try and pull it out for fear of breaking the fuel tank. How is it held into the tank, or, how do you remove the valve from the tank. All the o-rings and line have been rock hard so far. Thanks for any ideas, and this great Wheel Horse site. Randy 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RetroMower 349 #2 Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) There is a thick rubber grommet holding the shut of valve to the tank. They get dry and crack. Fortunately they are readily available at most any power equipment retailer that also has a service dept. I have a picture of it and I'm sure someone will chime in with a part number that I do not have srry. They feel really tight installing them but that's how they are. I have a Stens #425-336 but I'd wait for one of the gurus to confirm that. Edited October 30, 2021 by RetroMower 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyL 53 #3 Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) Thank you! I probably should have known that but the grommet is so shellaced in that I thought it was part of the tank when molded. I put these in my ultralight fuel tank when I change lines every couple of years. The fuel tank I have now uses 3 grommets each time. Like you say, they can fit tight. I did not realize what I was looking at. I'm sure they are standard size and I will have them in stock. You have helped greatly! I believe all my aircraft type tanks use a 1/2 inch hole for the grommet to be installed into. Anxious to get a look this weekend. Edited October 30, 2021 by RandyL 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #4 Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) We'd like to see that ultralight too... Edited October 30, 2021 by roadapples Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyL 53 #5 Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) Thank you...I have gained a lot of knowledge here already, just being a lurker, reader, and using the files section. My current machine is a Quicksilver MX ( red, white, blue ) my buddies Weedhopper is in the background. They are both flying with 2cyl Rotax engines. Mine is 35hp and his is 40hp. Edited October 30, 2021 by RandyL 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,326 #6 Posted October 30, 2021 I get my shut offs from Wheelhorsepartsandmore - a vendor on this site. Look under classified vendor section… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,767 #7 Posted October 30, 2021 22 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: I get my shut offs from Wheelhorsepartsandmore - a vendor on this site. Look under classified vendor section… The rubber grommets for these tanks are used in many different makes and models. The problem is that many vendors have very large stocks of them and many of them are old and the rubber is stiff. The stiffer the rubber, more chance of leakage. Lowell (wheelhorsepartsandmore) is a quality vendor and sells only good quality parts. I would trust him for a good shut-off and grommet. On the other hand, if the leak is coming from a crack in the seam of the tank, a new seal won't stop the leak. There is no glue that sticks to polyethylene. It must be plastic welded. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,174 #8 Posted October 30, 2021 1 hour ago, rmaynard said: On the other hand, if the leak is coming from a crack in the seam of the tank, a new seal won't stop the leak. There is no glue that sticks to polyethylene. It must be plastic welded. You have already been schooled pretty well on the grommet, but I thought I'd maybe 'emphasize' the possibility of the tank itself having a leak - they are rather prone to do that at the seam - often at/near the grommet, Probably from putting pressure on the grommet to seat it. And as @rmaynard pointed out there isnt any known way to seal it other than "welding" ... and that it self often doesnt work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,937 #9 Posted October 30, 2021 @RandyL when replacing that valve / grommet , use dielectric grease as the lubricant , its super lube rated , meaning its made for plastic / vinyl applications . another thing when trying to install get as much of a straight , solid push as possible , making the fit much easier, also like the flat curved squeeze clamp , and a vinyl fuel rated hose , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyL 53 #10 Posted October 30, 2021 I'm taking in all the ideas and advice. I thank everyone. Got to head out of town this morning but I will be reporting in on this situation. Possibly as soon as this eve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,366 #11 Posted October 30, 2021 Be sure to check that the tank itself is not cracked at that spot My raider's one was. did some plastic welding, but needs some more. Which it will get tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyL 53 #12 Posted October 30, 2021 OK.. Got home early to find my WH has a nasty crack indeed. It had been smeared with epoxy or other is why it looked all shellaced and I did not see the bushing. I may try plastic welding it..nothing to loose. Does anyone make a reproduction tank or have other aftermarket ideas should the plastic weld not work??? I am at least on a way to a fix. Rmaynard has a comment about it being polyethylene so I will look for the correct filler rod. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,767 #13 Posted October 30, 2021 (edited) I have a complete used tank. Let me pull it out of storage and inspect it. Edited October 30, 2021 by rmaynard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyL 53 #14 Posted October 31, 2021 Thank you, Let me know about the tank please. I warmed mine up and it developed a long crack. I'm not messing with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
