I had the tank off of my wifes 06 Carbureted Sportster 1200 Low, now bike wont start. No gas coming out of the petcock.

The only way I can get gas to flow is to blow compressed air into the bottom of the petcock. When I do that it runs out pretty good, I reconnect it real fast, but it seems to stop? Float bowl is empty. I can get it to run by squirting gas into the throat of the carb but that's it.

EDIT: I guess my next step will be to disconnect the fuel line at the carb, blow air into it until it starts to run and hope it fills the float bowl. Makes me wonder what would have happened if she had ran dry on the road? Full tank, but wont flow.

 

Drain the gas and remove the petcock, sounds like the screen/filter is clogged or it's not turning inside.
They sell rebuild kits for a reason.

 

It's odd though, had no problems what so ever, disconnected fuel line and vent hose to remove tank, reinstalled tank and no go. Probably pull it and have a look this weekend.

Stupid question, should it flow out by gravity? Service manual talks about using a vacuum pump to create suction.

 

Could be a part of the plastic that determines Run or Reserve broke off and is stuck just above the shut off portion. If your blowing in air it might just move enough but won't clear as the top of the petcock has a screen, so it'll just fall back down.

 

Does yours have the vacuum port? If so check the hose (not the fuel line) coming from the carb for suction.

 

Sounds like a vacuum controlled petcock that isn't hooked up.

 

Lakerat, that's what I'm thinking. See post #5

 

That's what it was, hose vacuum hose came off the back of the petcock....all good now.

Thanks guys....Jim