How can I drain the gas tank of a Craftsman garden tractor model No. 917.276320 , because of contaminated fuel. Also,how to get to the carburetor and drain it. I replaced the inline fuel filter and cleaned the air filter, also. The gas in fuel filter looks very dirty. The engine backfires and runs very rough, like it is starved for gas.

Jack Stewart, August 2008

Easiest way to grain the tank is disconnect the fuel line at the input to the filter and put the end of the pipe in a can as low as possible. To drain the carb, unscrew the float bowl nut. You may need to disconnect the fuel cut-off solenoid (which could also be the source of your problem if it has gummed up).

On V-twin models, you will have to remove the hood, then remove the air filter, including the backing plate, to access the carb.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, August 2008