Petcock leaking only when pointed at main tank

[Whiskey Bravo]

Hi everyone,

I purchased the factory petcock rebuild kit and carefully followed the instructions from the board.  Now the petcock is leaking only when pointed at the main tank… Does not  leak a drop when pointed towards reserve

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you

[flash2002]

Where does it leak from ? 

[Whiskey Bravo]

I can't really tell where it's leaking from.  I assume it's from for lack of a better terms where the dial connects to the petcock… Everything is so tight in their it's very hard to tell, but I don't believe it's leaking from where I replace the diaphragms… But that might just be wishful thinking

[flash2002]

Is it leaking when the motor is running or off, you might have to take it apart again to make sure the O-ring isn't  nicked or out of place.

[gordonv]

If no vacuum on the petcock (engine not running), then it shouldn't leak at all. If it does, then the diaphragm isn't working, shutting off the fuel. So like flash is getting too, it might have been but together wrong, and something needs fixing, hopefully before the part is permanently damaged.

Since the petcock/tank needs to be removed to do this, I would be testing the function of the petcock while the tank is off the bike.

[indybobm]

If it only leaks when the knob is in the On  position, sounds like the leak could be on the other side of the petcock.  That side is riveted on and has a steel ball that covers different depending on which position the knob is in.
If you start the bike with the petcock 'off' does it still leak. Should be enough gas in the carbs to run awhile.
You might have to replace the petcock.

[Whiskey Bravo]

Well I found the leak…

Today I took the tank off, remove the petcock inspected the parts I replaced in the rebuild kit made sure everything lined up then reassembled and put the tank back on then started the bike up  and, took a look and… Found the leak

It's leaking from the rivet side of the petcock… Just sorry I wasted 30 bucks on the rebuild kit… Now I have to get a new petcock.  I think they run about $130…

Thanks for all the help and suggestion

I'd like to try and make the barbecue on October 22 in Arizona… If work permits, so I have to get a few more things worked out

Thanks again,

Whiskey bravo

[Hook#3287]

PETCOCK ASSY., AUTO
16950-MZ0-003 16950-MZ0-033

$105.25

Procaliber.com

[gordonv]

I recall someone removing the rivets and replacing with small nuts/bolts. I don't recall why, weather he fixed a leak or? But it might be worth a search.

[flash2002]

You can take off those rivets. I did mine, I took the rivets off by filing them off, file them flush drill and tread, install new kit and screw back together, like new.

[longrider]

And when the knob is pointing toward the tank you are in the reserve position

[indybobm]

And when the knob is pointing toward the tank you are in the reserve position

I think he meant when the gas is being used from the main tank. I wondered the same think. Either way if you remove the rivets there is not a lot to be done in there. It does not have individual o-rings for the ball to seal against in the different positions. It is one membrane that is not available.

[yrunvs]

Reviving and old post as I just rebuilt my oem petcock. I did a kit rebuild and reinstalled the petcock only to see weepage from the riveted side so I drilled the rivets out and drilled through the other side. Cleaned up the gasket and added some red permatex around the gasket groove and put it back together with 4mm bolt and nut. No more leak......so far. One thing to keep in mind is the petcock needs to be at just the right angle when reinstalled onto the tank so as not to stress the selector/petcock connection which can cause leaking from other areas of the petcock. 

[Valkorado]

Reviving and old post as I just rebuilt my oem petcock. I did a kit rebuild and reinstalled the petcock only to see weepage from the riveted side so I drilled the rivets out and drilled through the other side. Cleaned up the gasket and added some red permatex around the gasket groove and put it back together with 4mm bolt and nut. No more leak......so far. One thing to keep in mind is the petcock needs to be at just the right angle when reinstalled onto the tank so as not to stress the selector/petcock connection which can cause leaking from other areas of the petcock.  

Check out #4 here :

https://www.permatex.com/ten-common-gasketing-mistakes/

4. Using an RTV or anaerobic gasket maker on an application that is exposed to gasoline.

Only solvent-based gasket makers have the ability to stand up to repeated direct contact to gasoline. Powersports
vehicles, antique cars, gas-powered tools, and equipment all tend to have their gaskets exposed to gasoline. Gas weakens RTV and anaerobic flange sealants. If your assembly will have direct exposure to gasoline, you should use a solvent-based gasket maker.

(Fig. 3) Never use an RTV gasket maker on an application that will be exposed to gasoline, such as a powersports vehicle.

Here's the good stuff for use with gasoline.



https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-makers/permatex-motoseal-1-ultimate-gasket-maker-grey/

[yrunvs]

Thanks that's good to know. The next time I have the tank off I will crack the petcock open and apply the "good stuff".

[Valkorado]

Thanks that's good to know. The next time I have the tank off I will crack the petcock open and apply the "good stuff".

Your bike.  Personally, I'd get rid of the the "bad stuff" ASAP before it gets into your fuel system and carbs leaving you stranded somewhere.

[yrunvs]

Crap. Ive had that tank on and off so many times but......im going to take your advice and take care of it tonighg. Ive got the black gasket good stuff Lord knows why I didnt pull it out in the first place.

[Valkorado]

Sorry I was bearer of bad news.  In this case an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure.

[3W-lonerider]

Crap. Ive had that tank on and off so many times but......im going to take your advice and take care of it tonighg. Ive got the black gasket good stuff Lord knows why I didnt pull it out in the first place.

i would not use black silicone rtv. gas eats that stuff and it will end up in your carbs, creating even more issues. you need to find something impervious to gas.

[yrunvs]

Im not at home right now but i believe the stuff i have does say its designed for use with gas based applications its a gasket type product  but ill check it out and make sure.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Im not at home right now but i believe the stuff i have does say its designed for use with gas based applications its a gasket type product  but ill check it out and make sure.

I understand the need for thrift, and usually agree with it. But in this case, I would bite the bullet and purchase a new petcock. 

[Valkorado]

Im not at home right now but i believe the stuff i have does say its designed for use with gas based applications its a gasket type product  but ill check it out and make sure.

It says RTV get it out!  Don't continue riding with it in your petcock.  And don't use the black if it says RTV.  Motoseal 1 is gray and specifically says it is gas friendly on the label.

[yrunvs]

Thanks for the great advice. I hadnt run the bike since I used the red permatex in the petcock, tonight I took off the petcock and removed it all and cleaned it out nicely. I reassembled with no sealer and have no leaks yet.
Is this a good petcock?
http://pingelonline.com/motorcycle-fuel-valves/1311-ah.asp

I really appreciate all of your knowledge..... I owe you guys.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for the great advice. I hadnt run the bike since I used the red permatex in the petcock, tonight I took off the petcock and removed it all and cleaned it out nicely. I reassembled with no sealer and have no leaks yet.
Is this a good petcock?
http://pingelonline.com/motorcycle-fuel-valves/1311-ah.asp

I really appreciate all of your knowledge..... I owe you guys.  

Many love them. I prefer the stock ones.
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/16950-MZ0-033?ref=4a0f6ea94ca22431ba64222dfa3b97fb84d8eb06

[yrunvs]

I dont mind the stock one but they seem a bit fragile. If you dont tighten them down to the tank at just the right angle the off/on dial can get fiddly. Is the Pingel plug and play? same fuel line size etc?

[Valkorado]

I dont mind the stock one but they seem a bit fragile. If you dont tighten them down to the tank at just the right angle the off/on dial can get fiddly. Is the Pingel plug and play? same fuel line size etc?

My understanding is the Pingels (I think there are a couple models that'll work) are rock solid.  If you use the (Kury or Honda?) chrome petcock trim you'll lose that.  I've also heard they're hard to reach while riding and you always want to remember to turn 'em off when the key goes off as they're manual flow.  

I'm sure some Pinglers will chime in.

[yrunvs]

I could see where going from on to reserve would be a little reach. I'm learning to turn the gas off each time so that shouldnt be a problem. But I do like the oem one to. decisions..

[Lyle Laun]

I went Pingel on all 3 of my Valks and ended my problems with the POS factory valve. Pretty well plug and play. It fit my fuel line and easy enough to plug off the vacumn line. The model 1311 is the correct one.

Regards
Lyle

[-mike-]

You want to keep all OEM and/or aftermarket chrome trim but no vacuum petcock operation?
Honda 16950-MBW-023 it is then.

-mike-

[mello dude]

Great thread on all the petcock options..

[Calboy]

Well I found the leak…

Today I took the tank off, remove the petcock inspected the parts I replaced in the rebuild kit made sure everything lined up then reassembled and put the tank back on then started the bike up  and, took a look and… Found the leak

It's leaking from the rivet side of the petcock… Just sorry I wasted 30 bucks on the rebuild kit… Now I have to get a new petcock.  I think they run about $130…

Thanks for all the help and suggestion

I'd like to try and make the barbecue on October 22 in Arizona… If work permits, so I have to get a few more things worked out

Thanks again,

Whiskey bravo

Had the exact same problem with mine. I did the rebuilt only to realise where the leak came from. It was from the rivet side too. Bought a new petcock. Problem solved.

[JimC]

You want to keep all OEM and/or aftermarket chrome trim but no vacuum petcock operation?
Honda 16950-MBW-023 it is then.

-mike-

Along with what Mike above said, the number he posted does not seem to be available in the states any more. I tried a dozen different retail shops. But I found an aftermarket fuel petcock that is an identical copy of the above number Mike referenced (most likely made in China) and is a direct replacement to OEM.
I would also ad that I would only use a manual petcock if you have an electric shut off in the fuel line.

KL18-4133 Made by K&L fuel petcock. (it is also vacuum free operation)     $30.00

Jim

[Valkorado]

You want to keep all OEM and/or aftermarket chrome trim but no vacuum petcock operation?
Honda 16950-MBW-023 it is then.

-mike-

Along with what Mike above said, the number he posted does not seem to be available in the states any more. I tried a dozen different retail shops. But I found an aftermarket fuel petcock that is an identical copy of the above number Mike referenced (most likely made in China) and is a direct replacement to OEM.

KL18-4133 Made by K&L fuel petcock. (it is also vacuum free operation)     $30.00

Jim

Or just convert your OEM vacuum petcock to manual.  Did this on all three Valks I've owned.

[yrunvs]

Do you just pull the line and cap off nipples? What advantage is that?

[Avanti]

Do you just pull the line and cap off nipples? What advantage is that?

No!
Use this:
 http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,37577.0.html

[Valkorado]

Do you just pull the line and cap off nipples? What advantage is that?

No!
Use this:
 http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,37577.0.html

I used the manual petcock procedure I found in the R&M belly tank installation instructions (page 5 here)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByyPaxZD7mK-VzJNeVBwVXd0S28/view

I don't have belly tanks BTW.  I do use electric fuel shutoffs with the manual petcocks.

[yrunvs]

Im going to post this here rather then start a new thread. Do people ever just disconnect and shelf the bowl drain hoses mine are showing there age and i figure i can just drain one at a time at the end of the year. It wouldu clean up that area to. ??? I suppose a bad bowl drain screw could be a slight problem.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Im going to post this here rather then start a new thread. Do people ever just disconnect and shelf the bowl drain hoses mine are showing there age and i figure i can just drain one at a time at the end of the year. It wouldu clean up that area to. ??? I suppose a bad bowl drain screw could be a slight problem.

Yes, I did. Like you say, if you need to drain the bowels, drain one at a time with a hose.

[-mike-]

Along with what Mike above said, the number he posted does not seem to be available in the states any more. I tried a dozen different retail shops. But I found an aftermarket fuel petcock that is an identical copy of the above number Mike referenced (most likely made in China) and is a direct replacement to OEM.
I would also ad that I would only use a manual petcock if you have an electric shut off in the fuel line.

KL18-4133 Made by K&L fuel petcock. (it is also vacuum free operation)     $30.00

Jim

Beware of the Chinese "clones" to OEM petcocks. The one I got has a different on/off/reserve layout. (now laying on the shelf and gets packed just as an emergency replacementfor a fellow rider when I'm on longer tours to a gathering.

Last year I bought a new OEM petcock, always preferring stock parts if possible. So I'm safe for at least another 10 years. I'll repair the riveted side leak at the old one. Someday. 

-mike-

[Chrisj CMA]

I dont mind the stock one but they seem a bit fragile. If you dont tighten them down to the tank at just the right angle the off/on dial can get fiddly. Is the Pingel plug and play? same fuel line size etc?

My understanding is the Pingels (I think there are a couple models that'll work) are rock solid.  If you use the (Kury or Honda?) chrome petcock trim you'll lose that.  I've also heard they're hard to reach while riding and you always want to remember to turn 'em off when the key goes off as they're manual flow.  

I'm sure some Pinglers will chime in.

everything you said is right except its not hard at all to operate the Pingel while riding,  It does take a small amount of practice to find reserve because it has no indent.  You just place the lever pointing straight to the left