Kubota tractor stalling, remove fuel tank and clean out.

My tractor was stalling so I’m removing the fuel tank to clean out trash that is blocking the fuel line. The problem was that the fuel sending unit was rusting and dropping large chunks of trash into the tank.
Kubota L3301
Amazon links:
Tractor lights: amzn.to/3I79GVF
Tractor toolbox: amzn.to/3lklnzx

[@scottwalker5793]

Thank you. excellent video. I have some debris in my tank Now to remove the tank. I’m not looking forward to that.

[@gooutside6055]

It wasn’t too bad if you have all your tools in a nice spot. Mine has been running great ever since I cleaned it out.

[@rodrigorueda814]

Thank you. I have exactly this problem. Not excited to take out the tank

[@gooutside6055]

Yep, it takes a little time but it’s not too bad.

[@georgehandel5908]

"Mr. Funnel" is the answer to avoiding many such issues.

[@gooutside6055]

Ok, not sure how that will get the chunks of rust out

[@fascinatingfambam4984]

Just did my Kabota BX 24. Sending unit was rusted and that’s what was causing the tank to plug up. Kabota wanted 152 bucks for a new one. I just cleaned mine up put it back in.

[@gooutside6055]

Mine has been running great since I did this.

[@thegreatnorthwoodswithbb2863]

Quite interesting a tractor that appears to be new has problems with crap in the fuel tank.. might want to check what you're fueling it up with.. when you're done with that

[@gooutside6055]

Here’s the story, it’s a 2015 model with only 500 hours on it so I imagine it spent long periods of time sitting in a barn. It had lots of time for condensation in the tank to rust the sending unit. I would think at if the tractor was used more the fuel would keep the sending unit coated and not allow it to rust. That’s my theory.

[@thegreatnorthwoodswithbb2863]

@@gooutside6055 actually if diesel fuel sits to long it grows algae.. run an excavator once that had that same problem

[@gooutside6055]

@@thegreatnorthwoodswithbb2863 ,,,, yes I’ve heard of that too

[@glenn-zm1qt]

Loved your video - cringed at how many layers have to be pulled out to access tank - further cringed when i saw the corrosion on the sending unit - cringed even further when you said it was a 2015 with 500 hours. I have a 2016 L3901 (i purchased new) - have a large lot, so used for snow removal and moving dirt, stone etc. It defintely is not used every day - it has 120hrs on it. It is experiencing the stalling - and I have isolated it to the tank. I would bet that if I took the snding unit out (as you did), i'm gonna find the same dam thing.
Agree that this is a totally bad design - used stainless steel versus the cheap steel. I would suggest that owners kep the tank full at all times - this won'🙄t allow for as much corrision.
I'm gonna speak with my dealer, to see if this is a known issue - maybe Kubota should pony up for some of the repair.
Still love my Kubota.....
Thanks again

[@gooutside6055]

Ya, the dealer where I bought mine paid for a new sending unit after I showed them how bad it looked.
I believe this would not happen if the tank was full while the tractor sits for months at a time. It wasn’t too bad of a job. It would have been better if it wasn’t raining 😖

[@gooutside6055]

I’m having to do that stupid Regen on mine right now. Nobody got time for that !!!

[@jpthedelawarebeeman6239]

I have the same issue on my BX2350.
I tossed the rusty sender and installed a cheapy sender from Amazon to cover up the hole, the gauge isn't accurate but I won't keep getting rust and fuel starvation any longer!
I refuse to pay Kubota $134 for a new replacement. It should be a recall for all Kubota's and the part should be covered lol .
Funny thing is I just bought it used from a Dealer they should have replaced it for free as a maintenance thing. Oh well live and learn.

[@gooutside6055]

So we both had the same situation.

[@kevinstewart7792]

I think if I was to need to do this for my L3901, I’d try a clean pipe taped to the shop vac as a way of removing all the rust without having to fully remove the tank… knock on wood I won’t have to, I was looking for info about the fuel grommet I’m supposed to replace per my 2 year service schedule…
Good luck!

[@gooutside6055]

I was about to try using a shop vac but some people say there is a very slight danger of fire because of the electric motor. I bet it would be fine though.

[@TheButterflyGirl7]

My goodness how awful to have that sending unit so Rusty!
But will it only be the newer Kubotas which have a sending unit in the tank?
I have a 2007 Kubota. I do not want to have to drop the tank.
I drained the fuel and I bought a little cell phone camera Borescope and I was going to stick it down in the tank and see if I can see if there's any junk down there.
If there is, I was thinking to Shop-Vac it out.

[@gooutside6055]

I was about to try a shop vac but decided to go with the tank removal. Just be careful because the shop vac motor can make sparks. There are videos about it I believe.

[@TheButterflyGirl7]

@@gooutside6055 thank you.
Ended up just repeatedly sluicing out the tank with fresh diesel, blowing the lower fuel line repeatedly, got out about ten bumblebees must have been from previous owner could have left cap off tank

[@robbobcat7286]

wow

[@gooutside6055]

Ya, it was a lot of rust.