leaking FJ vacuum petcock

[Ront]

Has anyone ever tried adding a fuel shutoff after the petcock?

[aviationfred]

This is what I have on my 87'. Works well as long as you remember to turn it off every time you get off the bike and then turn back on when you start it up.



Fred

[Ront]

So did you route the fuel lines differently?

[aviationfred]

The fuel line comes off the petcock, over the carbs and into the valve, out of the valve forward and up to the T fitting to the carbs. Sustain speeds of 80+ I get some starvation, but I use my 89' for the longer higher speed rides.

Fred

[XJturbo]

I have tried, and couldn't get the lines routed to where the engine wasn't starving for fuel. I then tried to replace the o-ring and slightly stretch the spring out in the petcock, that did not work. I then bought a FJ1100 petcock off ebay for $50 hoping I could get that to work, no luck there. I was getting quite irritated, because everyday I would have to check the oil sight glass to make sure no fuel had seeped past and entered the crankcase. In the last year I changed the oil 7 TIMES! It gets costly not to mention having to take the header off every time. I also got the common fuel starvation trying to get new lines routed correctly, it took a 90 degree pvc elbow from the hardware store and some thought to get everything flowing right. I have an 86 I bought with 8k miles, and I'm pretty sure I rode it back from Michigan to Ohio with fuel in the case, the previous owner wasn't too smart when it came to mechanics.

It's actually sitting out in the garage now, with gas in the case. That oil change only lasted about 30 miles  It would go longer sometimes before it would flood, and wasn't dependent on how full the tank was.

So I have come to the conclusion that the bike sat for many years and the o-rings dried up. That is why I'm afraid of getting a NOS petcock off ebay, I don't want dried up o-rings. So most likely very soon I will be placing an order with Randy to get one of his factory Petcocks. I would guess some of his parts like these come from all the FJ's that sacrificed their lives to power legend cars? Just a guess. All I know is my FJ needs a petcock that works as it should!

[racerrad8]

I do not supply NOS, only brand new so at least you know its not old stuff that has been sitting around on a shelf.

Randy - RPM

[giantkiller]

Or just buy Randy's manual pingle petcock kit.  And you won't have to worry about it again. I made one. Out of a pingle copy and 3/8 aluminum plate. Before I knew Randy had one. It works great. But  the copy  isn't rebuild able. So when/if it goes bad I'll be getting Randy's to replace it.
To turn it on/off, just fold the upper left-hand screen down out of the way and the lever is right there. And you have to be looking to even notice the missing screen.

[Arnie]

I really don't understand why you spend so much time and effort trying to get those vacuum petcocks to work properly.
If the petcock won't turn OFF, then just put a 12V dc solonoid NC valve in the fuel line wired to the ignition  switched power.  When you turn the ignition ON, the valve opens.  When you turn the valve OFF, the valve closes.  Simple.  The most difficult part is finding a spot to mount it.

Here's an Ebay Item number:111135815172  for one that will work and even comes with hose barbs.

 

[Pat Conlon]

...When you turn the ignition ON, the valve opens.  When you turn the [ignition]OFF, the valve closes.  Simple. 

Arnie, don't tell Noel, but I corrected what I think you meant to say [in bracket]

Good tip on the solenoid but 1/4" does not flow enough fuel for the gravity carbs. Get at least a 3/8". Cheers

[Arnie]

Pat,

Thanks for correcting my post. 
These solenoid valves come in a range of sizes.  I'm pretty sure that the one shown in that ebay item is 1/4"NPT which is quite a bit larger than 1/4".  Anyhow, get whatever size you want or need.