FUEL LEAK - Suggestions Please

[rmrc51]

Okay. I finally had the Valk all back together. I started to add gas to my new Interstate fuel tank and my initial fear came true.

FUEL LEAK!!!!!! 

It seems to be coming from the petcock at the point where it screws into the tank. I had re-built the petcock and did the vacuum test to see that the diaphragm moved which it did. I had a new screen and o-ring on and I tightened it to what I thought was a pretty secure fit!

At this point, I'm considering ordering a complete new petcock from Honda Line Parts. How-ever, I see that there's two different stock numbers for the complete petcock.

03     PETCOCK ASSY.
16950-MZ0-023  (replaces 16950-MZ0-003)    001    $104.27
03    PETCOCK ASSY.
16950-MZ0-023  (replaces 16950-MZ0-013)    001    $104.27

Here's my questions;

• Which PETCOCK Assembly is the correct choice? 003 or 013
• Should I also use some king of thread dope or tape where the petcock screws into the tank?
• Am I missing another washer besides the O ring on the screen?
• I remember reading that there was another choice to replace the petcock with. I don't remember the name but I think it was something like Pingle. Is that more reliable/fool proof?

Please list any other suggestions. I had though I'd be riding today!!!!! 

[Valker]

Pingel is the name of the other one. I like mine, but I never had much problem with the stock one. When I added my Pingel to the new tank on my Tourer (bought an I/S tank) I used thread sealant tape (teflon?), but I don't know that is necessary.

[Ricky-D]

Use a teflon tape to help ease the tightening of the assembly. Any kind of thread lubricant would be suggested.  The process when you tighten down the nut is actually squeezing the two parts together with no radial movement.  If it's leaking that would mean the two parts are not squeezed together adequately. Make sure the sealer washer is in there!  Clean and lubricate and tighten securely.   Should fix that leak.

[John U.]

If the leak is at the petcock mount to the tank, an O-ring is the only sealing mechanism. Save the pipe dope and teflon tape for your kitchen sink.
 O-RING (14.2X1.3)
16958-KM9-005  001 $2.50
This is from the HDL microfiche.

[rmrc51]

A few question about the Pingel;

I imagine that the Pingel also has a main & reserve setting or is it just and on & off situation?

Is the Pingel is a superior alternative to the stock petcock?

On their web site, I see a few different choices. Which one is for the Valkyrie. The one with the vacuum port?

[Robert]

Well I have a Pingle on my bike its the 1311chv which is the vacuum valve but you can buy one without the vacuum for 1/2 the price.  Mine will not go on without vacuum being applied to it no matter what position you have the lever at but it will shut off when put to off. Not all of them work this way so go their website and take a look and compare. I will say this after touting the benefits of the Pingle which I still think is a better alternative to the stock valve, mine leaked, yes my Pingle leaked. It did hold up longer than the stock valve and if you send it back to Pingle it will cost you 20 bucks for them to rebuild it good as new. Also the failure wouldn't have caused the dreaded Hydroloc. Knowing what I know I may be tempted to order the non vacuum valve that does switch off and on according to the lever. Also you asked about thread sealant, it wont do any good. The seal is not in the thread but where the tank meets the valve end to end and there is a Teflon or nylon washer there to seal it. So if you have a leak from there maybe there is no washer or not tightened enough.
http://www.pingelonline.com/fuel_valves.htm