D2 Fuel Tank Mystery

[Cysco]

I was cleaning out the seat fuel tank of my D25U and found three cast steel "stars" in the bottom. Are these for anything or just "one of those mystery things" that happen ?

[Old Magnet]

Check for the casting number......just kidding....that's a mystery to me to

[B4D2]

I once found some cast iron "bullets" in the radiator of my D2. It turned out they were from someone tightening cap screws too far into the castings and punching out the back end into the radiator tank. Maybe something like that?

[bruce oz]

hello ,i think i have seen them stars before ,rocker cover nuts on some engine some were ,not much help ,lol,bruce oz

[Jack]

Are they magnetic? Or possibly zinc rather than steel? Those are the only things I can think of that might be intentionally added to a tank.

[Willie]

OH my you won the grand prize, send them to Cat Inc. to get your prize. The only thing I've ever found in mine is dirt or rust LOL

[Cysco]

Well at least we got a laugh or two out of it....*L*.....They are steel as I got them out with a magnet.....There was a bit of "cast slag" in the tank as well.The only stars I can remember comming with that Cat was the ones I saw when I raised up to quick while under it and that was followed closely with some choice words.....*L*

[yancy44 mag]

i have found big led balls in some of my old gas cats as well as some older ones i had a old buddy that tough me a lot about eq he was a old time cat field mech he was in his 80s 20 yrs back he has now passed but i was great full that he chose to give me as much info on any cat stuff he told me that they used to put led balls in to keep the rust out they rattled around and keep the tanks clean and i have all ways done that will all of my old willys and cat stuff it works great but thats just my 2 bits worth

[STEPHEN]

My foundry man uses stars like that in a tumbler to bust the crust off castings

[OzDozer]

Cysco - You're right .. the only stars I've ever found around Cats, were the ones I saw, when I cracked my skull, when I lifted my head too quick from under the tractor, or forgot about some protruding casting or panel ..

I'd have to guess they were introduced by kids into the tank, or perhaps they were used in a tank tumble, to try and clean the rust out, sometime in the past?
I think Stephen has nailed their use and origin.