782 Fuel leak

[Gary C]

After hoist the dozer blade last winter with my 1440, I started looking for something with a hydraulic lift. A 782 came up on "Craigslist" 20 miles away. So I picked it up,(it also came with a 2 stage snowblower) I used it for cutting grass this past summer. (after welding up some holes in the deck and replacing the idlers on the mule drive) It was stored outside. I started to notice a gas smell when I'd walk pass it. Well I figured it's time to get the deck off and the blower installed, so after getting the motorcycles into storage, I had room in the garage to get it inside. Now I could really notice the gas smell and see a puddle on the concrete. (and "the war department" complained about the smell) Today I tackled the problem after getting the deck and the mule drive off. The shutoff on the tank was leaking. After removing the fuel line, and the tank,I unscrewed the glandnut on the petcock. It looked like the seal was totally gone. So I popped and new"o" ring on the shaft. Now the grommet on the tank is leaking. I popped the grommet out and went to get some sealer at the Auto parts store. When I got home I thought, if I goop it all up,and it still laeks , now I got a bigger problem. So I went to the dealer and ordered an new petcock assembly. This is my first experience with a plastic tank, I saw on the internet that gas with ethanol can deterioate those grommets. I always use "premium, no ethanol gas" so the previous owner must have been putting that "nasty crap" in there.

[ol'George]

The Grommet is 30 yrs old, they all crack/leak, it is expected.
while you have it out, take the tank off and flush it, you will be surprised @ the crud in it.
Premium gas is not needed nor recommended unless you have a modified engine with high compression.
If you choose to use non ethanol fuel, that is fine,although it costs quit a bit more.
10% ethanol is acceptable but no more than 10% by engine manufactures recommendations .
I don't like it, but I accept it.
Also,
If you think about it, premium fuel is usually not as fresh, because not a lot of people use it, so it sits in the fuel tanks of stations a long time.

[Gary C]

Thanks for the info. (The previous owner told me he had recently replaced the gas tank because someone before him had used the hood as a saw horse and drilled holes through the hood and the tank) Maybe he used the old grommet and petcock.(it did look rusty in the "sealing area")

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by ol'George

The Grommet is 30 yrs old, they all crack/leak, it is expected.
while you have it out, take the tank off and flush it, you will be surprised @ the crud in it.
Premium gas is not needed nor recommended unless you have a modified engine with high compression.
If you choose to use non ethanol fuel, that is fine,although it costs quit a bit more.
10% ethanol is acceptable but no more than 10% by engine manufactures recommendations .
I don't like it, but I accept it.
Also,
If you think about it, premium fuel is usually not as fresh, because not a lot of people use it, so it sits in the fuel tanks of stations a long time.

What he said.
You will be happy now to flush the tank seeing you allready have it off. Rather than later when you have it reinstalled, and the tractor starts running poorly.
I also don't think the fuel is your issue. Moreso the age of the tractor...