Farmall Cub

The darn sediment bowl won't quit leaking!

it's leaking around the edge of the glass bowl.. if i tighten it enough so it doesn't leak, it pinches off the fuel. I've tried 2 different gaskets. one was rubber and from Napa, the other is cork and from TSC. neither worked. Am i getting the wrong size? I'm assuming it should fit tight up in the tin part? should i bite the bullet and replace the whole thing?

Tighten it down at the bowl so it stops leaking. If it pinches off the fuel, crack open the line at the carb until the fuel flows then tighten the line. I had one that air locked on me one time and this worked for me.

air lock you say?! it would be awesome if it were that simple! I'll go try that right now!

Check and see if the bowl is totally full when it is tight with the valve on. If it is empty near the top you have something blocking the flow. I have also used a stiff wire and ran it into the bowl from inside the tank to help the flow.

problem solved! thanks Barnyard!

Glad you got it solved.
Just as an explanation; The fuel comes from the tank past the shut off valve and then on down through the center post and hits the little disc and spills out sideways (to create less turbulence) from the two notches. This way sediment falls to the bottom and isn't stirred up. Gas fills up the bowl and anything large floating in the gas won't go through the screen at the top. The gas keeps rising and goes out a hole to the gas line to the carb. I have had good luck just giving the tractor a few cranks when the gas doesn't fully fill the bowl due to air lock. Especially if there's enough gas in the carb to run it for just a bit.

When i read the words air lock it all clicked in my head. I was installing the bowl, opening the valve, and expecting the gas to pour in and fill up. but if the float valve is closed in the carb, of course the gas won't flow! but it will when you break the seal by loosening the sediment bowl... but then it leaks when it gets full! I should have realized that it was actually a GOOD sign that the gas wasn't flowing. that would mean the gasket is sealing.

oh well! chalk it up to a learning experience.

Absolutely right, Eoghan! The bowl would have filled right after you start the engine and the fuel level in the carb. dropped.

you might also try using two gaskets.