close call

[cajundood]

just got off of a 2300 mile trip to the ozarks and bike performed great (even for a darksider)
About a year ago after reading posts about hydrolock i bought a nice pingle style petcock to replace  aging one just never changed it. well......yesterday i went to start the bike and I heard the telltale "clunk"....
I immediately released the starter switch, & removed the plugs.
I drained the tank and removed the oem petcock. went to install the chrome pingle style one and it wouldnt fit....
i just happen to have a K&L rebuild kit, so i rebuilt the old one. pretty much destroyed the filter removing it, but was able to get another one from Fudd (thanks buddy) 
-------There is a question hidden here somewhere---------
i'm getting ready to go back with the rebuilt valve but am unsure as to whether or not to reconnect the vaccuum line or just block it off. i've seen stories and opinions about to de-smog or not de-smog.
is there more to just blocking the lines in a desmog or is it that simple???

oh......i don't think the starter gear broke.......i got used to just bumping the starter at first for obvious reasons. (glad i did) So I think i am good.
It was a scary wake up call though.
D00D

[Chrisj CMA]

If the valve (vacuum side) is functional it will not flow any gas without the vacuum line hooked up.  Others have turned the thing into a manual valve by internally blocking the diaphram open so its a free flow valve that you have to turn off every time,

If you are concerned just turn the swith off after every ride until you get the right Pingel

[dano1946]

Being new to the Valk I don't understand what this pertains too. Could you enlighten me - thanks.

[Gryphon Rider]

If the vacuum valve allows fuel to flow right now, there is no advantage to changing the valve to full manual.  It's only once it's failed and a leaking diaphragm causes the valve to not open fully (or at all) that you may want to convert it to full manual until you can either install a cover set (which includes the diaphragm), or replace the valve entirely.  For more information, read my post linked to here:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,37577.0.html

[mmurffy03]

have you thought about what you are going to do about the other huge issue you have if you pulled the pulgs and found gas in a cylinder its not just the petcock at fault here the cyl with gas in it must have a bad or stuck open float in it  or a bad needle and seat fixing the petcock is only half the repair job it takes both the petcock and the float in the carb to have true hydrolock happen so just fixing the petcock wont stop the fuel that is in the float bowl from seeping into the cyl every time the vacuum is cut off when the engine is shutoff ? im sure others will comment on this issue or am i confused on this issue im not a full time mechanic but have turned a few wrenches in my day

[cajundood]

have you thought about what you are going to do about the other huge issue you have if you pulled the pulgs and found gas in a cylinder its not just the petcock at fault here the cyl with gas in it must have a bad or stuck open float in it  or a bad needle and seat fixing the petcock is only half the repair job it takes both the petcock and the float in the carb to have true hydrolock happen so just fixing the petcock wont stop the fuel that is in the float bowl from seeping into the cyl every time the vacuum is cut off when the engine is shutoff ? im sure others will comment on this issue or am i confused on this issue im not a full time mechanic but have turned a few wrenches in my day

actually i think its the diaphragm that failed and allowed the fuel to flow down the vaccuum line into the cylinder. i rebuilt the oem petcock and hope that this corrects the problem. I am however gonna reconnect the vaccuum line to the petcock rather than blocking it off for the simple fact that i do not faithfully turn off the fuel everytime i stop the bike. matter of fact "I NEVER" turn off the fuel whether it be 1 hour or 1 week!
perhaps i've been skating on thin ice by not doing it.....but its such a hassle.

[mmurffy03]

was the fuel in the #6 cylinder?

[Gryphon Rider]

I hadn't considered failure of the smaller diaphragm, the one that actually normally contacts the fuel.  What SHOULD happen if that one fails, is that leaking fuel drains out the weep hole in the bottom of the fuel valve, rather than flowing down the vacuum hose.  Was the weep hole blocked?

[mmurffy03]

same here never thought about reverse flow of fuel out of vacuum line

[John Schmidt]

Dood, keep in mind that a normal operating OEM petcock won't work without that vacuum line attached. If it does allow fuel to pass with it not hooked up, then your petcock is faulty. Only after the internals have been blocked open to operate as a manual petcock will it flow fuel without the vacuum attached.

[cajundood]

was the fuel in the #6 cylinder?

this was my follow up on this.....rebuilt petcock and before i decided to reinstall the tank, for shitz n giggles removed all six plugs and hit the starter... ...............................WOW
about an ounce of fuel shot 20 ft across my shop out of the number 6 cylinder.

well.......gears are evidently ok...... disaster avoided

so now i must determine whether or not the cylinder filled through the vaccuum line(fixed) or through the carb.

will keep posted......

DOOD

[cajundood]

diaphragm was bad. 
before installing the tank, i put about 1 gallon in it and turned the petcock to reserve. no fuel.
but then i though about it..... ???...thats what its supposed to do. hooked up a vaccuum line and sucked a lil...fuel flowed.

going back to when i removed the tank it had about 3 gallons of gas. i set the tank on the bench and turned on the petcock and it flowed freely into my gas can. (which i realize now wasn't supposed to happen)

so two plusses

should be ready for my upcoming rides this weekend.....mid to high 50's....ohhhh yeah   

DOOD

[cajundood]

ok....somethings gone amiss 
rode this weekend and the fumes got me high as a kite...
returned home and before i shut off the motor i moved the oem fuel selector to the "off" postition.
bike continued to run, and run and run.....hmmmm
killed the motor and put the bike in the garage.
Next day garage was full of gas fumes and there was a puddle of gas on the floor under the bike.
THIS IS NOT GOOD!!
evidently the oem petcock doesnt shut off the fuel like its supposed to & the new diaphragm isnt working either.
so i guess my next option is to go to an electric shutoff....

any thoughts on this??? 

[Blackduck]

When you changed the diaphragm did you change the cover as well? There is a very fine bleed hole in the cover and if it blocks it will not release the vacuum and holds the valve open.
Had it happen to me.