fuel leak

[mnvalkrider]

We just bought a 800 drifter for my wife to ride and it came with a leak at the petcock. i changing the oring and the leak was still there. i noticed that the bolt holding the petcock on threaded into the gas tank with no cap on the inside, thats where the leak is. it drips around the bolt. has anyone had luck using like permatex 2 or something like that? any suggestion appreciated . mnrider

[Chrisj CMA]

I think I would drain the tank, remove the petcock and make sure theres no faulty parts, maybe another 0-ring clean everthing and put it back together correctly first.......then if you cant stop the leak, try gunky stuff to seal it, at least that way you know you arent covering up a problem

[mnvalkrider]

Thanks for the reply Chris.  I have been through that process once. maybe should try it again. I just think its  unusual for the bolts to thread into the tank with no baffle inside to keep the fuel away from the threaded bolt. It looks like the oring is doing the job but the fuel is following the thread down. I just thought that maybe someone had put to long a bolt in and popped the inside caps off or something. The tank has been painted. mnrider30547

[Ricky-D]

Get some small 'O'-rings for the bolts and use them wherever two surfaces meet.

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[mnvalkrider]

 it turns out what i needed was plastic washers on the bolts, and no metal flat washer, which is what was on it. simple fix for a smelly problem! thanks for the input again. glad i didn't use the permatex. sometimes it is to easy to go for the quick fix. ride on! mnvalkrider.