Pingel inst - vacuum plug?

[Scanner]

Ran into what seems to be a fairly common occurrence with my '03 Std.

Acts like it is running out of fuel after a couple of gallons have gone down. Except this morn it started it right after fillup.  Also was backfiring after it was staggering along.  I did try the "open the gas cap" thing while it was sputtering but it had no effect. But she did get me back home - kind of an on/off thing.

So, I have a pingel on order, and from what I read it's a pretty straightforward changeout. But I do have a question about "plugging" the vac line at #6 cyl.  I heard to use a screw, bolt, rubber cap....what works best to plug the vac line?

While I have the tank off is there any other possible cause I should check out?

thanks
Mike

[OverdueBill]

Scanner, I just got my pingel.  I plan on using the screw method.  Put a little rtv on the screw and insert.  Use a small hose clamp on it.  Overkill but shouldn't cause any problems.  I'm open to more ideas though.  My pingel came with a full length wire mesh screen over the dip tube.  I may have missed this before but it's the first time I've seen it.  Do I take it off?  Would be nice to use it.  Thanks.

[Patrick]

Any auto parts store will have packages of rubber caps, like the ones on the bike now.. But a short section of 5/32" vacuum tube with a nice looking screw stuck in the end of it will work and look just fine and will last longer than those standard rubber caps..

[Ricky-D]

it would be unwise to plug that hose barb (or any) in any kind of permanent way since you need those in order to synchronize the carburetors.

Use the hose you have freed up and cut a short length from it, fabricate a plug any way you can and insert it in the little piece of hose and slide it over the barb. It will stay and allow for access later.

Very simple!

***

[Sodbuster]

Personal preference but when I did mine I bought another rubber plug from the Honda dealer same as the others.  I just like the looks of OEM stuff rather than the McGiver look .... just me.

As for the screen on the pingel .... I would leave it on. It fits just fine .... it's snug but it will fit.  I even put a filter on after the pingel to assure nothing goes downstream. The pingel filter should assure that pingel will stay healthy.

[junior]

when i got my pingle it came with a cap for the nipple  and i havent had any problems

[RP#62]

Go down to the hangar floor and get a short rivet.  I think I used an AN470AD-5-4 on mine.
-RP

[sandy]

Go down to the hangar floor and get a short rivet.  I think I used an AN470AD-5-4 on mine.
-RP

You should package them and sell them on the board.
BTW: I took out the 3 unused vacuum ports and matched them to a metric bolt and new crush washer. The old ports are in a bag under the seat for carb work.

[John Schmidt]

With the Pingel you'll notice your reserve is quite a bit less, it's because the pickup tube is shorter. There is a way to overcome that but you lose the screen filter and have to install an external one. If interested, let me know and I'll post the instructions I got from another member(was his idea, not mine) and a picture of the finished product. It brings the reserve up to what the OEM petcock was.

[XXTi]

Why not just go to the auto supply store and buy some replacement vacuum plugs.  I got a package for about $4 and they fit fine.

[asfltdncr]

Maybe some other members could chime in but ......Are those the symptoms of a failing petcock?
Aren't those also the symptoms (and much more common) of a pinched or plugged fuel tank vent line?

[F6Viking]

Replaced my OEM fuel valve about a month ago. I had same problem, would act like it was starving for fuel at about half a tank. (99 I/S) Just like Scanner, was hit and miss when it would do it. I also tried opening the tank cap and would even pull loose the vent line from tank while riding just to make sure it hadn't gotten plugged some how. I had already rebuilt the OEM petcock a few years back, went with a Pingel and have had no more "starvation" episodes so far. I also just used the small rubber cap included with the Pingel to put on the barb for the vacuum line. Will probably replace with something different when I get around to doing a de-smog.

[sugerbear]

give those parts store plugs about 4-6 months and you'll be replacing them.

mine cracked and fell apart

been there

i finally used some fuel inj line w/rtv and a screw. a tie wrap helps also.

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

Agree on not using auto store plugs. I tried it, mine started to crack after 3 months here in Florida. 

[XXTi]

Thanks for the tips guys.  I'll keep an eye on them.