Fuel Petcock Leak
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla
Fuel Petcock Leak
My folks loaded my bike on their toy hauler and took it to Sturgis so I could fly in. On the way my dad discovered the petcock was leaking fuel. In a rush I had JP Cycles ship one to the campground. The one they sent does not have the vaccume cut off that the OEM petcock had. I installed the new one and plugged the hose off so I could ride while here. The bike performed flawlesly, but I could occasionally smell fuel where I didn't before. Is that normal? The OEM looks rebuildable and I would like fix it but they don't seem to be available in the aftermarket. Any clues on where to find one?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla
Ouch! As I browse the interwebs it appears that I may be better to leave this set up and capping off the vaccume line more permantly. I'm not liking the fact that smell gas at times. I can't see anywhere where gas is dripping from, All my hoses seem tight, and the carb isn't leaking anywhere.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Lafayette, Louisiana
You are overthinking this, which seems to be a common thing with petcocks lately.
One or two years ago mine was leaking. Picked up a new OEM one at the dealer. It had the vacuum connector on it. It came with two sized strainers. It was an improvement over the original because the new one makes a clicking noise you can hear and feel in each position.
Nut on the new one had threads with too many burrs in it to go on like it should so I reused the old nut.
New petcock with an old nut. For some reason that sounds funny.
One or two years ago mine was leaking. Picked up a new OEM one at the dealer. It had the vacuum connector on it. It came with two sized strainers. It was an improvement over the original because the new one makes a clicking noise you can hear and feel in each position.
Nut on the new one had threads with too many burrs in it to go on like it should so I reused the old nut.
New petcock with an old nut. For some reason that sounds funny.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla
What did it set you back $$wise? Not that I'm a tightwad, but I do have a budget and this is a toy.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Picayune, Ms.
After the bike is shut down the engine continues to heat the area around the carb. This causes expansion and the fuel smell is probably coming out of the carb intake. You don't see the fuel because the air filter absorbs it.
OR:
The vacuum line isn't completely sealed off. And the fuel smell is coming from that.
Try shutting off the fuel a few seconds or so before shut down and see if that helps, allowing the engine to idle on just enough fuel to assure the level is lowered in the fuel bowl on the carb.
OR:
The vacuum line isn't completely sealed off. And the fuel smell is coming from that.
Try shutting off the fuel a few seconds or so before shut down and see if that helps, allowing the engine to idle on just enough fuel to assure the level is lowered in the fuel bowl on the carb.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Originally Posted by FatboysFatboy96
What did it set you back $$wise? Not that I'm a tightwad, but I do have a budget and this is a toy.
BTW, bookmark the site below. It is very easy to look up OEM part numbers. I used it to eventually locate brand new but old stock saddlebags.
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.....asp?make=hdmc
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,726
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From: Brighton, MI
I would keep the "old style" non vacuum petcock. Your probably smelling fumes because your looking for them because of your recent issue...double check your fuel lines and connections just to be sure. Might have had the fumes there all along (from air cleaner) and because of your recent problem you are more aware.
As long as there is no leaks, make sure vacuum line is plugged and leave well enough alone. The vacuum type petcocks can be problematic at times. The old style is "simple". Less to go wrong in the future. YD
As long as there is no leaks, make sure vacuum line is plugged and leave well enough alone. The vacuum type petcocks can be problematic at times. The old style is "simple". Less to go wrong in the future. YD
Last edited by Yankee Dog; Aug 15, 2016 at 04:22 AM.