Closing Petcock for Storage
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo MN
Closing Petcock for Storage
Hey
I have a question about storing the bike for the winter.
I usually fill the tank and add Stabil...then run it for a while.
Heres the question:
Close the petcock....or leave it open?
If you close it.....wont the carb bowl dry out?
Wouldnt leaving the petcock open keep fuel in the system or carb....and eliminate the bowl drying out?
Ive never closed the petcock....even if it sits for a week....no problems.
Thanks
Murph
I have a question about storing the bike for the winter.
I usually fill the tank and add Stabil...then run it for a while.
Heres the question:
Close the petcock....or leave it open?
If you close it.....wont the carb bowl dry out?
Wouldnt leaving the petcock open keep fuel in the system or carb....and eliminate the bowl drying out?
Ive never closed the petcock....even if it sits for a week....no problems.
Thanks
Murph
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Ride it with some Sta-bil Marine in the tank. Fill the tank, shut the petcock.
Goodnight Irene. See ya in April.
Certainly there are higher degrees of protection that you can pursue, but my bike starts quickly, every year. I do pull and tend the battery as well.
( I may try sea foam someday )
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
It really matters what type of petcock you have. If it's a vacuum petcock then it won't matter whether it's open or closed when the bike is off. If it's a mechanical petcock then it should be closed. It won't hurt if the bowl dries up as long as the gas that was in it was treated with stabilizer, it won't leave a mess. If you float fails or the needle seat leaks by the gas tank will empty itself onto your garage floor via the carb vent. For this reason I have shut off valves on all my small engine power equipment. Snowblower, tractor, generator, lawnmower and power washer. I have seen a gas tank dump itself empty through the carb and there was no way to stop it. The petcock is on the tank for a reason.
Last edited by roadhog96; Nov 10, 2013 at 11:01 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,238
Likes: 799
From: Indiana
^this. Especially if, as I do, you have a gravity fed petcock.
Ride it with some Sta-bil Marine in the tank. Fill the tank, shut the petcock.
Goodnight Irene. See ya in April.
Certainly there are higher degrees of protection that you can pursue, but my bike starts quickly, every year. I do pull and tend the battery as well.
( I may try sea foam someday )
Ride it with some Sta-bil Marine in the tank. Fill the tank, shut the petcock.
Goodnight Irene. See ya in April.
Certainly there are higher degrees of protection that you can pursue, but my bike starts quickly, every year. I do pull and tend the battery as well.
( I may try sea foam someday )
A wise man............
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've always turned the darned thing off after each ride! What else is it for?! 
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 32
From: Livingston Parish
I'm also turn is to close when finish riding, habit as long as I can remember. if the bikes are parked they are closed .
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
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From: Eastern NE
If you don't close the petcock...worse things will happen than bowl drying out. I've gone into the garage and found fuel spillage/odor everywhere and one click of the electrical switch could (opener, light, etc.) could open your house up to nature. :O
