Petcock doesn't seem to be working right

bob138 · October 31st, 2011, 01:11 PM

Hi all,

I went to winterize the bike yesterday and started draining the carbs. More gas than expected came out, so much so that I eventually gave up and figured I better look for info.

It seems like my petcock is leaking air when in the "ON" position. I thought it was like normal petcocks where it takes vacuum to open the valve when in the "ON" position, but the amount of gas that drained from the bowls says otherwise.

Anyone else seen this happen?

Thanks
Bob

Alex · October 31st, 2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob138

Anyone else seen this happen?

Looks like it's happened to a few folks...

Leaky petcock

Uggghhhh... bad petcock

bob138 · October 31st, 2011, 01:56 PM

Thank you!

It's funny I normally search the crap out of stuff but this time I figured it would be one of those unlucky me, only guy to have to deal with it.

Thanks again. And just so I feel like I at least added a little value to the next guy who actually searches and comes across this thread.

My solution will be to add an inline fuel valve, something like this:

below the petcock.

$5, and it should be problem solved.

Thanks again
Bob

Alex · October 31st, 2011, 02:09 PM

No worries! It was a piece of cake, I just took a peek at the "similar threads" at the bottom of your post, and one of them was golden. Glad you're getting it sorted out.

bob138 · November 4th, 2011, 05:48 AM

I stopped by Lowes lawn and garden section, where they have parts for lawnmowers and such. Found this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_188347-442-0...r|1&facetInfo=

Cut the fuel line after the petcock where it loops around and back to the float bowl. Slipped on the clamp and then plugged in the valve (making sure it was off first). Then slid the clamp down.

Cut about 1" off the bottom of the hose and slipped the clamp on, connected and slid the clamp up.

Took about 5 min, leaked a little gas (had an empty seafoam can ready) and costs about $10.

The valve is designed for gas so I don't see why this won't last.

Bob

CZroe · November 5th, 2011, 03:41 AM

My only concern is all those "shouldn't have caused a problem" reports of in-line fuel filters causing, well, problems. More specifically, they were causing stalls, but this is probably a nice free flow.

bob138 · November 6th, 2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil7153

You can get a new petcock on ebay for $30. Just saying.

Man. I wish I had though of that. Really seems like a good idea to replace a known to be problematic part with a used part that's hopefully good for three times the price.

I really need to go back to school or something. Ugh. I can't stop kicking myself over this. I could have spent $20 extra dollars AND in 6 months or so, when the used replacement from eBay goes bad ANOTHER $30.

Maybe someday I'll learn.

Bob

CZroe · February 3rd, 2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob138

Man. I wish I had though of that. Really seems like a good idea to replace a known to be problematic part with a used part that's hopefully good for three times the price.

I really need to go back to school or something. Ugh. I can't stop kicking myself over this. I could have spent $20 extra dollars AND in 6 months or so, when the used replacement from eBay goes bad ANOTHER $30.

Maybe someday I'll learn.

Bob

Maybe he genuinely meant "new?" He did say "new."

October 31st, 2011, 01:11 PM	#1
bob138 ninjette.org member Name: Bob Location: Centreville va Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1991 EX500 , 2009 250r Posts: 130	Petcock doesn't seem to be working right Hi all, I went to winterize the bike yesterday and started draining the carbs. More gas than expected came out, so much so that I eventually gave up and figured I better look for info. It seems like my petcock is leaking air when in the "ON" position. I thought it was like normal petcocks where it takes vacuum to open the valve when in the "ON" position, but the amount of gas that drained from the bowls says otherwise. Anyone else seen this happen? Thanks Bob __________________________________________________ My EX500 Build My 09 250R Build

October 31st, 2011, 01:56 PM	#3
bob138 ninjette.org member Name: Bob Location: Centreville va Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1991 EX500 , 2009 250r Posts: 130	Thank you! It's funny I normally search the crap out of stuff but this time I figured it would be one of those unlucky me, only guy to have to deal with it. Thanks again. And just so I feel like I at least added a little value to the next guy who actually searches and comes across this thread. My solution will be to add an inline fuel valve, something like this: below the petcock. $5, and it should be problem solved. Thanks again Bob __________________________________________________ My EX500 Build My 09 250R Build

October 31st, 2011, 02:09 PM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	No worries! It was a piece of cake, I just took a peek at the "similar threads" at the bottom of your post, and one of them was golden. Glad you're getting it sorted out. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 4th, 2011, 05:48 AM	#5
bob138 ninjette.org member Name: Bob Location: Centreville va Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1991 EX500 , 2009 250r Posts: 130	I stopped by Lowes lawn and garden section, where they have parts for lawnmowers and such. Found this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_188347-442-0...r\|1&facetInfo= Cut the fuel line after the petcock where it loops around and back to the float bowl. Slipped on the clamp and then plugged in the valve (making sure it was off first). Then slid the clamp down. Cut about 1" off the bottom of the hose and slipped the clamp on, connected and slid the clamp up. Took about 5 min, leaked a little gas (had an empty seafoam can ready) and costs about $10. The valve is designed for gas so I don't see why this won't last. Bob __________________________________________________ My EX500 Build My 09 250R Build

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November 5th, 2011, 03:41 AM	#6
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	My only concern is all those "shouldn't have caused a problem" reports of in-line fuel filters causing, well, problems. More specifically, they were causing stalls, but this is probably a nice free flow.