 Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760
3/4 Throttle
|
OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760 |
Hi All:
I had the bejezzus scared out of me on another site. A guy was beating himself up for leaving his fuel tap open one night and having fuel in his crank case the next morning. Has this happened to any of you? I try to remember to shut the fuel tap after riding each time but have forgotten sometimes. Also my fuel tap operates fine sometimes and then other times it is hard to turn. It seems well...cheap; I am wondering how it will hold up if being used all of the time.
Dave
|
|
|
 Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
Fuel tap? Do you mean the petcock?
I never shut it off. I never shut it off on my 01 Bonneville, either. Does anyone?
|
|
|
 Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760
3/4 Throttle
|
|
OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760 |
Yea it's the petcock. I was trying to call it by the name in the manual. I should have put both names. Thanks
Dave
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
Greenhorn
|
|
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37 |
When I originally got my TBA, the mechanic said it was a good idea to turn the fuel tap to "off" when the engine wasn't running. He said it takes pressure off the floats in the carbs. I've been following his advice.
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
Oh, I wasn't trying to be pretentious - I honestly didn't know "Fuel Tap"
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546 |
yeah, I shut mine off. I let the engine idle for a minute with the petcock off and then I shut it down. Mechanic told me to do it.
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
|
|
|
 Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
Dave,
I always turn mine off, better safe than sorry. Fuel won't get past the float needles in the carbs unless the floats are sticking.
As for the stock petcock being difficult to turn, do a search for "Pingel" on here and in the archives. You'll get all the opinions and info you need.
More flags
More fun!
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546 |
I have replace my petcock with a Pingel. works very smooth.
plus it's chrome. Get one from brent.
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
Wow... I am gonna start getting into the habit.
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I was just about to say there's no real point in shutting the petcock off 'cause there is still petrol in the fuel pipe PAST the tap - then I saw kennymc's post and think running the engine a little while will get rid of that bit of fuel.
Good tip kenny.
I always operate the tap a couple of times before setting off - it does sometimes stick.
Had it stick once when trying to switch to reserve at 90 on the motorway. Interesting couple of seconds there!!
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
Quote:
I then I saw kennymc's post and think running the engine a little while will get rid of that bit of fuel.
Good tip kenny.
Be careful you don't run the engine too long or you'll drop the fuel level in the bowls and go lean. You'd be amazed how quickly the headers blue when the bowl levels drop. 
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
I'm sure this has been covered elsewhere, but I'm too lazy to look. Wouldn't a vacuum operated petcock be a good solution? Any plug and play applications for our tanks?
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
I try to turn mine off when I shut the engine down also, but every once in a while I will forget and leave it on for several days and have had no problems. But I am puzzled how the fuel could get in to the crankcase, if you left it on.  My petcock or fuel tap,is also a little hard hard to turn, if the bike has been sitting for a while. Sounds like the guy on the other site just likes to beat himself up  -PES
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
|
|
|
 Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760
3/4 Throttle
|
|
OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 760 |
Thanks All for the info and Kenny's tip. Kennymc did you have to do any filing on the tank to make the new petcock fit? I thought I read somewhere that someone had to.
Dave
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
From the Archives: 03/29/2004Greybeard: Quote:
(Answering a couple of posts at once)
There is a good reason to shut off the fuel valve when you park. When the weather is warm, the gas in the carburetors will expand from the heat, possibly enough to overflow. Some of this overflow often spurts up into the carb body where it evaporates and cools the carb. This, in turn, cools the gas in the floatbowl, so it contracts and the bowl refills. Then the cycle starts again. Another potential for disaster is that, sitting overnight, the gas in the bowl will contract, dropping the float down to refill the bowl. With the bike leaning over on the sidestand and no engine vibration, it is possible for the float to stick and pour gas out all over the place.
>QUESTION: How full(up into the neck chamber) should the tank be filled?? <
Once you start filling the neck, you aren’t getting much more than just the gas going into the neck. The dept of the neck is designed to keep an air space at the top of the tank to allow for fuel expansion.
By the way, heat expansion works in the storage tanks too. To make sure you get the most for your money, fill up before mid-morning. Cold gas is more dense than warm gas, so a cold gallon is more gas than a hot gallon.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
|
|
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
I was warned the day I received my bike, by the saleman, apparently quite a few people in Manchester have had their petcocks leaking fuel into the crank case. I always switch it off and usually forget to switch it back on when I am riding. I get a few miles down the road and it dies on me.
Funny never had to switch it on my TT600.
Ray(UK)
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 807 |
Has anybody asked Arsenal Fan,I seem to remember from a couple of years ago he wrote in USB about a little petrol problem on an old Bonnie(understatement)!
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541 |
I used to ride BMW's a long time ago. The old boxer engines had two fuel taps, one for each cyclinder. I learnt the hard way when one day I came out of a building in Central London to get on the bike and both carburettas pissing petrol all over the road.
Turned the things off ever since that day.
Arsenalfan
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541 |
Quote:
fill up before mid-morning, Cold gas is more dense than warm gas, so a cold gallon is more gas than a hot gallon.
I never know that.
Good advice....thank you
Edit...I never KNEW that...man roll on those spelling classes
Arsenalfan
Last edited by Arsenalfan; 03/30/2005 4:48 PM.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
It's not 1st April , is it .. ?
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546 |
Yes, I didn't use a file though I used a dremel tool. to make the opening a little bigger, but be careful not to make it bigger than the hole that is in the supplied gasket.
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 406
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 406 |
Dave, I looked quick and may have missed it but... There have been a few people here who have reported leaving the petcock open and when they go to start the bike, the stored gas vapors and liquid fuel kicks back through the carb manifolds and detonates, blowing their airbox apart. Somone posted pics of it a year or so ago. Can't remember who. I've only gotten a big bang once and the airbox is fine but it served to remind me that there are variety of reasons to turn off your gas. BB 
Patriotism: Supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it. M. Twain
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Would fuel in the crankcase (or leaving the petcock open) have anything to do with some of the "airbox explosions" I've heard about on start up? I thought that was the ultimate reason I try to turn mine off. (That and the fire hazard from spilt fuel.)
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
PES After about the first year/5000 miles the petcock on my 03 TA started to get tight. It didn't matter if it was overnight or later the same day, it just became hard to turn. I replaced it with a Pingel, and that was the end of that problem. As to how gas can get in your crankcase, with the petcock left on, if either of your floats or float needles, or float needle seats have any deposits on them that prevent a decent seal, gas can get past them into the airbox or into the cylinder. Depending on the temperature, this could be vapors, or in an extreme case, raw liquid fuel. If it's in the cylinder, it will pass the piston rings and get into the crankcase where it will displace the oil on the bearings and cause damage. If it's in the airbox, the first firing of a spark plug will ignite it and you will be picking up pieces of plastic from beneath and behind the bike. I have developed a habit of observing the following when I stop riding..... Shut off the petcock. Shut off the key.. Put the kickstand down... My butt doesn't rise from the seat till all 3 are accomplished..... 
More flags
More fun!
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 708
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 708 |
I've never been in the habit of shutting the petcock off, but matbe I'll start.
That should read maybe
Next time I'll have my coffee before posting 
Last edited by Tinman; 03/31/2005 8:09 AM.
Jim
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 850
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 850 |
a lot of the fear of contaminating the crankcase oil w/ gas comes from the old triumphs and especially the old ewarts push pull petcocks that were on bsas. even shut off, the gas could leak past the cork inserts then could leak down through the head into the crankcase. my beezer can do this.
i always shut my gas off if i'm stopped for more than a few minutes. i never use the on off kill switch. kickstand down is a good idea too.
i spray some cable lube into the petcock lever about once a week, but a new pingle is probably the best bet. going 70 mph and then having to switch to reserve and struggling w/ a sticky petcock is not the best situation.
cat
George in Easy Rider: "Oh, oh I've got a helmet! I got a beauty!"
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 431
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 431 |
If there's a chance I won't be using the bike for a couple of weeks I turn it off and let the engine idle until it dies. I've been told that petrol left in the carbs will eventually evaporate and leave all sorts of additives in the carbs, which can cause problems when restaring.
I don't know when this becomes a problem (days / weeks / months?) but I figure better safe than sorry.
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 287
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 287 |
sta-bil.............my fuel thingie is hard to turn once in a while.........
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Hi grump, Quote:
I have developed a habit of observing the following when I stop riding.....
Shut off the petcock.
Shut off the key..
Put the kickstand down...
Being in the flat lands of FL:
Neutral
Fuel off
Sidestand down
Vera on side stand
Key off
Key out
dismount.
Modify for unlevel terrain or areas where I want to complicate theft:
I'll leave Vera in gear, then hit the kill switch after I turn her off.
"Key Out" before dismount ensures I don't leave the key in the ignition! How many times have I done that?!
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
I always turn the fuel off. I try to turn the petcock off about 1/4 to 1/2 mile prior to getting to the house.
Try lubricating the petcock with something like WD-40. I lubricate the petcock periodically, which helps greatly.
Tom
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
Quote:
Wouldn't a vacuum operated petcock be a good solution? Any plug and play applications for our tanks?
Bump for the vacuum petcock.
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
Rick,
I've done a lot of surfing for Triumph stuff over the last 2 years and I've never seen one mentioned. Perhaps there's something from another bike that will fit ours, but I've never seen that mentioned either. (bump assist)
More flags
More fun!
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 299 |
Found some info at newbonnie.com . . . There are a lot of vacuum taps that have the same fitting, two 6mm holes 34mm apart. The Kawasaki P/N is 51023-1175 and retail for about $70 new at powersportspro.com.
Can anyone tell me if the Triumph tap flange is sized per above?
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
At least in these here parts whar summer is most of the year and bikini makers are glad of it, it is a good idea to shut off the fuel. I have seen fuel tanks nearly emptied by an interesting pumping action. Seems that, on some bikes, when the fuel warms up and expands in the floatbowls, some squirts up the needle jet and collects in the throat of the carb. It then evaporates, cooling the floatbowls so the gas shrinks. Of course, this drops the floats and the bowls fill up. The fresh fuel expands, squirts up the jets, and the cycle starts again. Some 20 years ago when bikes were parked side to side for a whole block in front of The Nest (and later the pizza shop) on most afternoons, you could tell by the raw fuel smell just who had forgotten to close the valve. Can't necessarily say petcock for that bunch because there were some classic bikes like my Panhead that had a screw knob on top of the tank to shut of the flow.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 300
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 300 |
I was the one with the exploed air box pictures. The dealer was kind enough to replace it under warranty, but it was generally assumed that the cause was most likely the petcock being left open. The bang was so loud I nearly crapped my pants - not kidding. Ever since then, I have been very anal about turning my gas off every time I get off my bike. Why risk it?  
04 America
SS Pipes, Airbox Mod, 132/45, TBS Needles
|
|
|
Re: Fuel Tap
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 749
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 749 |
I used to always shut mine off after every use. I guess it’s out of habit from my earlier Triumphs. Anyway over the last 3 years, I have had to replace the stock petcock 3 times now. It gets really stiff and hard to turn when they start going bad. After the 3rd time, I have just left it on. Hasn’t hurt anything yet (been about 8 months since I started leaving it on). I would say either leave it on or buy an aftermarket one which will hold up better if you want to shut it off after every use.
"It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
|
|
|
|
|
