Fuel filter opinion?
 

Gentlemen:

I've seen about a fifty/fifty mix of cubs that had fuel filters (vs) no fuel filter. The 1650 i'm working on now does not have an inline filter (it might have been removed) before i got it...yet my 125 had one in place when i bought it. Any opinions? Thanks

Metalrain

Put one on it. It's cheap insurance against carb problems from dirt getting in it. Mine has a sediment bowl and a filter.

i would say its personal preference. me, I would put one in just for peace of mind, but I am also anal about things being protected

Not sure about the QL's but the wide frames have a screen on the topside of the fuel shut-off. Protect your carb with something.

The IH built Cubs did NOT have a fuel filter on them. They either had a sediment bowl or a screen at the shut off valve.

I have added fuel filters to all my Cubs for the same reasons as mentioned above.

:IH Trusted Hand:

I have been thinking about putting a filter on. When we got the cub the tank looked like it hada lot of sand in it. There is a screen in our tank (on a 1250) but I would still go with a filter.
Its around a 30 year old screen, so I'm sure at some point it could get a hole in it and allow something through.
And on top of that you have the same number of years of dirt in the tank.

I pulled the tank off and rinised it out with a lot of water (plastic tank luckly so I didn't have to worry about the water), and then I waited a week so all of the water would try. You could throw on alchol in there or some other stuff and clean the water out, but I prefered just to wait for the water to dry on its own.

My only cncern is this is a gravity feed system, which have a lower tolerance to filters (meaning some filters could be too good and slow the flow of gas also). I heard about this more with some older B&S eginens, without a B&S filter. I don't know how this is for the Kohler engines most of us have.

With this I just don't know which filter to get, if it even matters.

I put a filter on mine and the fuel would not flow through it. It's gravity feed, and the tank on my 122 sits on top of the engine. If someone has a P/N or Mfgr for a good filter that will flow with about 4 to 6" of gravity drop, I'd be glad to listen.

On my cubs that originally came equipped with sediment bowls, I disassemble them, thouroughly clean them, and re-assemble at least once a year. Its very simple to do, and in my opinion if all is kosher in the sediment bowl, and the tank is clean, a filter is not required.

On my newer cubs like my 82 series, they relied upon the screen in the pickup tube to filter contaminants, but like many have said this can clog up or get holes in it, etc..I always ad a high flow filter to these ones.

By hi flow, I mean there is simply a brass screen inside of the filter, similar to a sediment bowl, and you can easily see through it while peering in either end. I picked up a bunch of these from my local IH dealer several years ago (they are red in color..pancake style)


Jeff (teet)

Fram fuel filter FF1203. Works great. Looks good.

Part Number: FF1203
Weight: 0.08 lbs
Manufacturer: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
Focusing Head: Designed using high-quality components for maximum engine protection. Meets or exceeds all OE requirements.
Outside Diameter: .93 in. (24 mm.)
Inlet: .31 in. (8 mm.)
Outlet: .31 in. (8 mm.)
Height: 2.94 in. (75 mm.)

Filter. And installed filter.

check out rockymountainatv they usually have high flow filters. plus last i checked, anything order over $9 had free shipping

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/prod...dFamilyId=3037

Does that look like a good filter? I like the one RPalmer shows, but it is 5/16, and my lines are 1/4. I could stretch to fit, but I don't really like doing that.

Thanks!

Make sure the filter you use is for a gravity feed system and not for one with a fuel pump.

That seems like a good one. its one that you can not tear apart, a throw away filter, and you can see if it is working just by looking. all the people I have talked to have had hardly any problems with the tusk brand, it is rocky mountains in house brand. As for flow, i know a quad will use alot more flow than a mower. the filters they sell are for the most part made for all vehicles. my best guess is that this filter was made to be used by all small engines, even all you honda atc 110 users. also they have good deals usually on titan tires. I even saw at one time in their road bike catalog, a billit wobble drink holder.

Another fuel filter option is the NAPA p/n 3003. Clear plastic, 3/8 hose connections, and sells for around four bucks.

I had to replace my fuel line and sediment bowl.Cost was around 25 bucks.I like it the old way if it was good enufff for IH well you know...

That is the one you would need for a 1650. The 1650 uses 3/8" (.375) ID fuel line. The problem with most 3/8" inlet/outlet filters is the filter diameter. They are too large to fit well in the space as it is routed between the gas tank and the carb. If the filter touches the engine it can heat up and cause the fuel to boil, causing air bubbles in the fuel line (otherwise known as a vapor lock). The Napa 3003 is 1.893" in overall diameter and might fit. I'm going to buy one and give it a try.

All my small motors have a filter on them. I don't rely on the screen that is in the gas tank. I will use a sediment or an inline fuel filter along with the screen in the tank.

My Son came home with this filter when he worked at a small motor shop:
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...asfilter01.jpg
This is on my 149.

I have used this filter from Briggs and Stratton in the past.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...asfilter03.jpg
It doesn't take that much space:
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...asfilter04.jpg

The part number is 5018.

The 982 I was looking at has an in-line filter in it, clear casing so you can see the gas in the filter, just a plain cylinder type a couple inches long. I am thinking I could put any quality in-line filter on it, my local Briggs/Tecumseh dealer has lots of different shapes and sizes. :bigthink:So is it enough to change the filter every year? Given a normal mowing season of once a week from say April to end of October. Or should it be changed more than that? What kind of gas do you guys normally run in your tractors? Regular or High Test?

I run regular and only change the filters if I have issues with fuel delivery...I try to keep the gas and tank clean.

the inline filters i sell work fine for fuel flow i have never has any problems,

I have 2 tractors that I run all year long. I change the gas filter once a year.

Page 1.5 in a Kohler service manual recomends to use clean, fresh unleaded fuel.
Here is s link to a kohler Service Manual:
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38

I use 87 octane fuel in my Cubs.
My old Kohlers don't have any problems on todays gas....as long as it is fresh. I haven't had any fuel related problems since I went to a 30 day gas rule. It is an easy rule to follow. I try to buy enough gas for all ( 2 and 4 cycle) my small motors to last only a month. I will add a fuel stablizer to my gas before I fill my gas container(s) up. Two good fuel stablizers are the one made for Briggs and Stratton and Sta-Bil. I use Sta-Bil because it is cheaper in my area. Any gas (2 and 4 cycle) that is over 30 days old is dump into one of my autos...usually my Suburban or my Monte Carlo.

How you store your fuel containers is important too. The container(s) should be sealed. Watch closely the next time you fill you gas on your Cub. You should see vapors coming out of fuel tank when you fill it. The vapors is the additive package that the gas company puts in the gas. You need all the additive package so your Cub will run at it's best performace. I store my fuel containers in a cool dry place in my shop. All my fuel containers sit on a board. I feel that storing fuel containers on a cool garage/shop floor-ground can attract moisture easier-quicker than placing a fuel container on a piece of wood.

This works on straight gas and ethanol blended gas. The ethanol in the ethanol blended gas will help clean deposits in the combustion chamber (top of piston-valves). I haven't had any problems with ethanol. The key to ethanol blends fuel is how you store it.

Kohler has a FAQ section:
http://review.engines2008.kohler.com...ance/faqs.htm#
There is a question and answer about fuel additives.

Can I use any oil or fuel additive in my KOHLER engine?

Kohler's answer
Kohler does not recommend using additives or cleaners in the oil or fuel system. Air-cooled engines operate at higher temperatures than liquid-cooled automotive engines, and additives developed for automotive use may not perform properly at higher temperatures. Oil additives can prematurely break down, altering the properties of the oil and leading to extensive internal damage or failure. Fuel system cleaning additives have a tendency to separate and turn acidic, causing damage to fuel system components. However, a fuel stabilizer is recommended in the fuel during periods of non-use (one month or more) to retard fuel deterioration.

The original operator's manual I have for my 169 specifically states that:

"This engine is designed to operate on leaded gasoline with a 93 octane rating or on unleaded or low lead gasoline with a 91 minimum octane rating (Research Method). "

Therefore that's what I have been putting into it since I got it.

This info is from Kohler's web site:

Fuel Type
For best results use only clean, fresh, unleaded
gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or
higher. In countries using the Research method, it
should be 90 octane minimum.
Unleaded gasoline is recommended as it leaves less
combustion chamber deposits. Leaded gasoline may
be used in areas where unleaded is not available and
exhaust emissions are not regulated. Be aware
however, that the cylinder head will require more
frequent service.
Gasoline/Alcohol blends
Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded
gasoline by volume) is approved as a fuel for Kohler
engines. Other gasoline/alcohol blends are not
approved.
Gasoline/Ether blends
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded
gasoline blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by
volume) are approved as a fuel for Kohler engines.
Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.


Kohler knows more about their motors than Cub Cadet does. If you want to waste your money... that is your choice. I use 87 octane and haven't had any problems.

Thanks Merk. That makes sense. I am changing now and going back to regular. Just a question, why do you think that cub put that in their manual?

I've noticed there are a lot of differences between Cub and Kohler manuals... new and old. There's even a lot of differences between Cub owner's manuals and Cub Service manuals....

When it comes to engine stuff I always use the Kohler manual over the Cub Cadet manual since there are differences once in awhile.

My guess:
That was the latest and greatest infomation at that time. Fuel technology has improved since the late 60's/early 70's. The small motors manufactures have to be doing some testing so their motors get the best performace. Fuel is one area I would be looking at.

One of the things I've found is that my Cubs don't perform as well on 90 plus octane gas. My 149 has .040 milled off the head. I have been expermenting with gas...trying to get better performace and better fuel ecomony. Some of the better performace from my Cubs comes from using the 30 day gas rule.

Two things I forgot to add to my previous post are the following:
1. I shake the fuel container before I add gas to my small motors.
I notice when I pour 2 cycle gas in my motor's fuel tank the first few ounces look like gas rather than gas/oil mixture. If you shake the gas container before you fill your 2 cycle motor's tank the fuel looks like it should. This way the motor is getting the correct amount of oil and gas each fill up. It doesn't matter if it is 2 or 4 cycle gas...I shake the gas container.

2. I buy my fuel at a gas station that sells a high volume of gas. I like to support my local Mom and Pop gas station....My autos and Cubs run better on the high volume gas stations.
Why? :bigthink:
The only thing I can think of is the gas is fresher.

Some of the infomation that I share came from a high school small motors class that I used to teach. Some came from mentors that put up with all my questions. Some came from trial and error. I am still learning.