Leaky petcock valve

[fuel80guy]

I removed my tank from bike and filled it for storage in my shed.
I checked it today and its only half full or half empty.
Can i get some insight into what you guys think is going on with petcock.

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Rob, more info. is always useful...looking at your previous posts I see you have a '85, correct?

If so, you have a vacuum petcock, and yes, they have been known to dribble, along with not holding a vacuum (and thus not staying open)
They live in a tough environment down there, under the tank, on the top of a large displacement air cooled engine and if it's the original petcock it is now close to 30 years old.

You could try and take it apart and replace the seals and spring (no rebuild kit is available) or you could buy a new oem (safety wired) petcock from RPM.
Our FJ carb guru, DavidR tried many combinations of seals and springs on his rebuild and still could not the petcock to work properly.

When you think about it, 25-30 years is not bad longevity on the vacuum petcocks, considering their environment.  I would just get a new one and call it a day.

Cheers

[cm08]

I have same problem. Strange as it sounds I did exactly same as you. I put stabilizer in fuel removed tank and put in shed for winter storage. Noticed a leak so I connected a fuel line to Petcock outlet and pinched it to stop leak. Temporary until the spring. It will give me time to source parts for rebuild. I think I may have found some in uk.  See my post on this subject.

[keand3]

I have same problem. Strange as it sounds I did exactly same as you. I put stabilizer in fuel removed tank and put in shed for winter storage. Noticed a leak so I connected a fuel line to Petcock outlet and pinched it to stop leak. Temporary until the spring. It will give me time to source parts for rebuild. I think I may have found some in uk.  See my post on this subject.

Rebuild the petcock? How much for the rebuildkit?
I would strongly recommend to replace the petcock  instead. After 30 years of use it due for a change in opinion, thats what i would do. To be sure that the petcock was 100% functionall and safe. A bad spot to have engited fuel on

Cheers Ken

[cm08]

The kit is 18 pounds plus the same for shipping. Many discussions on this forum re peacocks and many suggest replacing but I believe it was due to an inability to source a proper rebuild kit. If a kit is available that includes all the correct bits why the concern with rebuilding. After all we rebuild brakes pistons, master cylinders,etc.. Why not peacocks?

[keand3]

The kit is 18 pounds plus the same for shipping. Many discussions on this forum re peacocks and many suggest replacing but I believe it was due to an inability to source a proper rebuild kit. If a kit is available that includes all the correct bits why the concern with rebuilding. After all we rebuild brakes pistons, master cylinders,etc.. Why not peacocks?

If you get a rebuild kit that will work to your satisfaction as you mention above, then its great!  I won't argue that it cant be done 
I guess its down to preference perhaps. 

I think the recommendation for replacing it is because of the content that the petcock handles, and the environment that i lays in. Brake pistons and M/C are not exposed to flamable substances like the petcock is.
A fuel leak from the petcock will leak down and might ignite on that hot engine, Its happend before. Personally i wouldn't rebuild mine petcock, I would pay the extra dollar and replace it. The petcock from Randy also comes pre fitted with saftywire.

[Dan Filetti]

The kit is 18 pounds plus the same for shipping. Many discussions on this forum re peacocks and many suggest replacing but I believe it was due to an inability to source a proper rebuild kit. If a kit is available that includes all the correct bits why the concern with rebuilding. After all we rebuild brakes pistons, master cylinders,etc.. Why not peacocks?

If you get a rebuild kit that will work to your satisfaction as you mention above, then its great!   I won't argue that it cant be done  
I guess its down to preference perhaps.  

I think the recommendation for replacing it is because of the content that the petcock handles, and the environment that i lays in. Brake pistons and M/C are not exposed to flamable substances like the petcock is.
A fuel leak from the petcock will leak down and might ignite on that hot engine, Its happend before. Personally i wouldn't rebuild mine petcock, I would pay the extra dollar and replace it. The petcock from Randy also comes pre fitted with saftywire.

The reason given for not using a rebuild kit is nonsense.  Peacock rebuild kits can be made to work just fine.  There are plenty of good rebuild kits on the market for other bikes, just not the FJ.  I bought such a kit for the little Ninja a couple of years ago, and lo, and behold, it stopped the leak!  I've long-thought that Randy was going to assemble such an FJ specific kit.  I'm guessing the reason it has not happened is that it is not easy, cost effective and/or would be assembled with parts made of unobtanium.  

Dan

[keand3]

Dan, you are spot on. I see of my last post that i was a bit unclear.
I failed to say i was talk about the fj specificly. 
Given its location i would not risk a rebuild due to the lack of a good kit.
Have rebuild petcocs on earlier bikes were they were perfect kits avaliable.

Cheers

[racerrad8]

I've long-thought that Randy was going to assemble such an FJ specific kit.  I'm guessing the reason it has not happened is that it is not easy, cost effective and/or would be assembled with parts made of unobtanium.  

Dan

Dan,

I am trying. I have send both versions of the Yamaha vacuum operated petcocks off to a prominent Japanese manufacture to either make a kit and/or possibly see if they can make an aftermarket version.

It is a daunting task and if I am able to get something worked out, I will for sure let everyone know.

The biggest issue I have, and that your are more than experienced in is the glued in elbow on the stock petcock that can and has fallen out and led to fire.

If the kit purchased from the UK is in fact the proper kit for the FJ (which the two petcocks are different and the part will not interchange), I will have to contact the company and see what I can work out, but right now the path I am working on is slow motion...

Randy - RPM

[fintip]

Are you saying the UK FJ's had a different petcock? Or did I misunderstand you?

[FJ1100mjk]

IF it was only this easy, AND you could reach the petcock to turn it off and on...

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=483

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/docs/Manual%20Petcock%20conversion%20instructions.pdf

[cm08]

Thanks all for your input. I called the UK this AM and decided to order the kit.  Talked to a nice gentleman called David Howe who was kind enough to provide me with a reasonable shipping cost at slightly over 5 pounds and took the order over the phone.   

It may be a while until I get the parts and actually compare with original guts and install/rebuild the petcock as it is winter here, very cold, no heat in garage. But,  if anyone is interested,  I can post or send pictures of the parts and provide updates.  Never know, we may have found a rebuilt kit after all.  (fingers crossed)

http://www.bitzforbikes.co.uk/Petrol_Tap_Repair_Kit.-ref-11485-788-453-280.html   

[racerrad8]

Is that the correct picture of the kit supplied on the link?

Randy - RPM

[oldktmdude]

Is that the correct picture of the kit supplied on the link?

Randy - RPM

http://www.bitzforbikes.co.uk/Petrol_Tap_Repair_Kit.-ref-11485-788-453-280.html

Randy, the add states "picture for illustration purposes only", so possibly not.   Pete.

[racerrad8]

Randy, the add states "picture for illustration purposes only", so possibly not.   Pete.

Reading from my smart phone...I missed that part.

Randy - RPM