Petcock Repair Kit

[asfltdncr]

So reading so much about Pingels and hydro-lock, I got a little concerned of my petcock failing.  I replaced it about 6 years ago.  I put the $17 repair kit in and put it back together and it would not stay running in the on position but did fine in the reserve.  I thought that the selector would only go on in the correct position-not so.  Anyway, I pulled my head out the next day and checked one more time to find that the selector settings didn't jive with the actual petcock.

Anyway, everything's fine for another 40 or 50k miles for $17 and I CAN forget to turn it off occasionally without any more consequence than those that are comfortable with Pingels.

[junior]

yea right, not wishing any bad mojo on you but it only takes one time for thr float to stick open and the petcock to fail for it to hydrolock. thats why i went with the pingle and shut it off every time

[Chrisj CMA]

So reading so much about Pingels and hydro-lock, I got a little concerned of my petcock failing.  I replaced it about 6 years ago.  I put the $17 repair kit in and put it back together and it would not stay running in the on position but did fine in the reserve.  I thought that the selector would only go on in the correct position-not so.  Anyway, I pulled my head out the next day and checked one more time to find that the selector settings didn't jive with the actual petcock.

Anyway, everything's fine for another 40 or 50k miles for $17 and I CAN forget to turn it off occasionally without any more consequence than those that are comfortable with Pingels.

The kit you installed was probably the "cover set" that renews the diaphrams for the vacuum side of the petcock.  There is no rebuild kit for the switch side, and WHEN (sounds like you are already having symptoms) the switch side wears out, it could be "On Reserve" all the time regardless of the switch setting.  That petcock is a piece of junk and it sounds like you got more service out of it than many do........dont make us say we told you so

[asfltdncr]

So reading so much about Pingels and hydro-lock, I got a little concerned of my petcock failing.  I replaced it about 6 years ago.  I put the $17 repair kit in and put it back together and it would not stay running in the on position but did fine in the reserve.  I thought that the selector would only go on in the correct position-not so.  Anyway, I pulled my head out the next day and checked one more time to find that the selector settings didn't jive with the actual petcock.

Anyway, everything's fine for another 40 or 50k miles for $17 and I CAN forget to turn it off occasionally without any more consequence than those that are comfortable with Pingels.

The kit you installed was probably the "cover set" that renews the diaphrams for the vacuum side of the petcock.  There is no rebuild kit for the switch side, and WHEN (sounds like you are already having symptoms) the switch side wears out, it could be "On Reserve" all the time regardless of the switch setting.  That petcock is a piece of junk and it sounds like you got more service out of it than many do........dont make us say we told you so

To be honest, I never used to shut off the damn thing and maybe that contributed to it's longevity.
I'd forget to shut off the the Pingel periodically as well.

[1FAST6]

Yeah, you have to pay attention when you put the knob back on to make sure it's pointing the right way.  Been there...  I have no issues with my stock petcock and have put it on my preventive maintenance list (every 3-4 yrs).  However, I also have an in-line filter (installed in the Quick-Connect loop from Red-Eye) and a Dan-Marc electronic shut-off valve.  All together about another $50 investment and significantly reduces chances of hydrolock.  I replace the fuel filter when I do the air filter.

[fudgie]

So reading so much about Pingels and hydro-lock, I got a little concerned of my petcock failing.  I replaced it about 6 years ago.  I put the $17 repair kit in and put it back together and it would not stay running in the on position but did fine in the reserve.  I thought that the selector would only go on in the correct position-not so.  Anyway, I pulled my head out the next day and checked one more time to find that the selector settings didn't jive with the actual petcock.

Anyway, everything's fine for another 40 or 50k miles for $17 and I CAN forget to turn it off occasionally without any more consequence than those that are comfortable with Pingels.

The kit you installed was probably the "cover set" that renews the diaphrams for the vacuum side of the petcock.  There is no rebuild kit for the switch side, and WHEN (sounds like you are already having symptoms) the switch side wears out, it could be "On Reserve" all the time regardless of the switch setting.  That petcock is a piece of junk and it sounds like you got more service out of it than many do........dont make us say we told you so

To be honest, I never used to shut off the damn thing and maybe that contributed to it's longevity.
I'd forget to shut off the the Pingel periodically as well.

Same here. Once in awhile i forget to shut my pingel off. No more then a week at a time tho. Its a great piece of mind when out on the road.

[asfltdncr]

So reading so much about Pingels and hydro-lock, I got a little concerned of my petcock failing.  I replaced it about 6 years ago.  I put the $17 repair kit in and put it back together and it would not stay running in the on position but did fine in the reserve.  I thought that the selector would only go on in the correct position-not so.  Anyway, I pulled my head out the next day and checked one more time to find that the selector settings didn't jive with the actual petcock.

Anyway, everything's fine for another 40 or 50k miles for $17 and I CAN forget to turn it off occasionally without any more consequence than those that are comfortable with Pingels.

The kit you installed was probably the "cover set" that renews the diaphrams for the vacuum side of the petcock.  There is no rebuild kit for the switch side, and WHEN (sounds like you are already having symptoms) the switch side wears out, it could be "On Reserve" all the time regardless of the switch setting.  That petcock is a piece of junk and it sounds like you got more service out of it than many do........dont make us say we told you so

Do you think particulate can make it through the tank or petcock strainer?It looks mighty fine.

[Pete]

"Do you think particulate can make it through the tank or petcock strainer?It looks mighty fine."

YES it can. Been there done that. Fine rust and stuff can and does get thru and builds up in the bowls. Keep that tank clean and full.

[John U.]

"Do you think particulate can make it through the tank or petcock strainer?It looks mighty fine."

YES it can. Been there done that. Fine rust and stuff can and does get thru any builds up in teh bowls. Keep that tank clean and full.

I agree, rust and junk in the fuel is one of the major risk factors for float valve leakage. That's why I run Golan fuel filters. It may not prevent hydrolock completely, but it surely must reduce the chances of grit messing up the float valves.

[Robert]

Things are always ok till there not, there has been plenty of warning and info about the petcock. Like was said in Dirty Harry "Do you feel lucky today?" I think this topic rates right up there with oil and tires and has been beat to death.