Petcock Replacement?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
Petcock Replacement?
Just found that full tank of gas has poured out onto the floor since I parked it Sat.
This happened over the winter when I first bought the bike.94 heritage, stock tank set-up. Not knowing how old the petcock was I opted to replace the unit. It was definately leaking. Now this guy has only been in the bike for 3-4 months tops. Can the crap we are getting for gas these days eat seals that fast? I guess 4 gallons of gas on the floor answers that question.
The thing that eats at me is that I have a 74 ironhead and I don't have this problem. Could it be that the S&S carb is not prone to pouring out the gas even if petcock does not close completely.
What are you all using for petcocks? I have seen some listed without seals.
Anyone have experience with them.
Oh yeah...wood floor..Any sure fire way to nuetralize the gas?
Thanks,
Bucaman
This happened over the winter when I first bought the bike.94 heritage, stock tank set-up. Not knowing how old the petcock was I opted to replace the unit. It was definately leaking. Now this guy has only been in the bike for 3-4 months tops. Can the crap we are getting for gas these days eat seals that fast? I guess 4 gallons of gas on the floor answers that question.
The thing that eats at me is that I have a 74 ironhead and I don't have this problem. Could it be that the S&S carb is not prone to pouring out the gas even if petcock does not close completely.
What are you all using for petcocks? I have seen some listed without seals.
Anyone have experience with them.
Oh yeah...wood floor..Any sure fire way to nuetralize the gas?
Thanks,
Bucaman
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 601
Likes: 6
From: Aruba
I put on the chrome one from J&P and other than the fact that off is now all the way back instead of all the way forward, I've had no issues. I didn't realize this until I forgot to turn it on once and when I remembered, I was wondering why it hadn't already stalled. I replaced my stock one because the "on tube" was leaking and I wouldn't hit reserve until I had about a 20 oz of gas left in the tank. The new one looks better than the stock galvanized one also.
For the floor, you can pour some kitty litter and that will absorb a lot of what was there. Then scrub down with some water and dish soap. What's left probably won't be any more flammable than the wood floor itself.
For the floor, you can pour some kitty litter and that will absorb a lot of what was there. Then scrub down with some water and dish soap. What's left probably won't be any more flammable than the wood floor itself.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
I am partial to Pingle petcocks. Jireh has them very reasonable. I think I prefer a Pingle over an OEM, actually. They are certainly easier to operate.
Besides the petcock, sounds like you need a new float valve.
Besides the petcock, sounds like you need a new float valve.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Let's see...you had a leaking petcock...replaced it and 4 months later your new petcock and the needle and seat on your carb are leaking? Sounds like you may have a rust issue in your tank that is causing this.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
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From: Haslet Texas
I switched to pingle when my stock one got gummed up and hard to turn. Pingle has a large lever which is very easy to change positions on. As for leaking gas on the floor it sounds more like it leaked out of your carb (it has an overflow tube) please don't ask why I think it is the carb. That is unless yours is a vacuum operated one. Mine leaks like that when I leave the gas on.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
I think I will be going with the Pingle.
Carb was rebuilt in the spring. Of course new float valve ,etc.
When it first happened and I pulled the old screen out of tank I expected to see some rust but none was evident. Also nothing was visable in the carb either. I will take a closer look for rust in the tanks but at first look it appears to be clean also.
Thanks,
Bucaman
Carb was rebuilt in the spring. Of course new float valve ,etc.
When it first happened and I pulled the old screen out of tank I expected to see some rust but none was evident. Also nothing was visable in the carb either. I will take a closer look for rust in the tanks but at first look it appears to be clean also.
Thanks,
Bucaman
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 601
Likes: 6
From: Aruba
Yea, but your float valve is leaking and needs to be looked at. Theoretically you shouldn't have to turn your gas off. You turn your petcock off just in case your carb leaks so while your bike is sitting you don't dump gas on the ground or worse yet, dump your whole gas tank into your engine.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Yea, but your float valve is leaking and needs to be looked at. Theoretically you shouldn't have to turn your gas off. You turn your petcock off just in case your carb leaks so while your bike is sitting you don't dump gas on the ground or worse yet, dump your whole gas tank into your engine.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
I certainly don't disagree with you all in regards to checking the carb. I guess I am just trying to avoid it since I just dialed it in and don't want to fool with it. But I will get over it and take a look at it.
I still come back to my original question. Is the blended gas attacking the seals that quickly or did I install a bad petcock?
Bucaman
I still come back to my original question. Is the blended gas attacking the seals that quickly or did I install a bad petcock?
Bucaman
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
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From: southern ohio
I would guess you have a bad petcock. Gas is getting pretty bad, but not in just 4mos! Plus 1 for pingel. As was said earlier, your still gonna have to adjust/ clean your Float needle and seat. No biggie, it's not like your going to have to re-jet it!
Good luck, let us know how things work out.
Good luck, let us know how things work out.