Petcock with a return ?
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
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From: Alvarado
Petcock with a return ?
Alright guys I have a 2003 FLSTF w/ a carb. when I turn the bike off it leaks out of the petcock my question is can I put a regular petcock with no return on it THANKS ANY INFO WILL HELP ~~!!!!!~~~~~
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
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From: Acworth
I believe the return line you speak of is actually a vacume line. Its purpose is, if the engine is not running (suppling a vacume pulse to the diaphram in the petcock) the petcock does not allow flow in the on position. It' s a safety feature and it allows you to always leave your petcock in the "on" position.
Years ago before this design, if you left your fuel petcock in the "on " position, & if your float did not shut off the fuel flow, it could seep thru and fill the bottom end of the engine with fuel or be routed thru the overflow hose onto the ground. This was a big fire hazzard especially for bike parked close to ignition sources. (anything with a pilot light or flame).
Years ago before this design, if you left your fuel petcock in the "on " position, & if your float did not shut off the fuel flow, it could seep thru and fill the bottom end of the engine with fuel or be routed thru the overflow hose onto the ground. This was a big fire hazzard especially for bike parked close to ignition sources. (anything with a pilot light or flame).
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 899
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A lot of folks pull the vacuum operated petcocks (I did one recently for a friend) as pinholes in the rubber diaphragm or in the vacuum line can leave you stranded. You can replace it with any decent aftermarket mechanical petcock. Then just plug the vacuum line or remove it altogether and plug where it comes out of the carburetor.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Emerald Coast, FL
If you remove the vacuum line you will have to plug it both at the petcock and at the carb or end of the vac line. Before you do that, check and see if you still have a fuel leak when you turn off the petcock. If you do the problem is not necessarily in the vacuum system. Find out where it is leaking and correct that first.
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