Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Leaky petcock?

OK, I hardly ever post anymore, but still lurk a bit.

My '02 America seems to have developed a leaky petcock. Is this a common problem? I can't leave the petcock open at all if the engine is not running, or she spews fuel everywhere. Is this fixable or does it need to be replaced?

Any help is appreciated!

Sounds like it's leaking around the fuel line .

Where do you find the most leaked fuel? That would help pinpoint one of the possible sources...a stuck float or rotten fuel line would be more common that a leaking petcock; and by that I don't mean fuel still flowing down the line when the lever is in the off position but fuel dripping from the petcock itself.

I haven't gotten close enough to see where it's leaking from - I'm usually in a panic because fuel is spilling out all over! The problem stops when the petcock is closed but I didn't think to check the fuel line. I'll take a look when I get home tonight to see if I can isolate it.

Thanks!

Gotta be the fuel line is split. I think, then again, at my age thinking can cause headaches.

Leaky petcocks were not uncommon on the earlier models, and you have an 02. Lots of folks (including me, I have an 03) have had to switch to the Pingle. My leak wasn't as bad as yours, but I walked into the garage to find my bike sitting in a huge puddle of gas one morning.

Still, what you describe seems a bit heavy for a leaky petcock.

I'll check both the fuel line and the petcock to see if I can isolate the leak. I appreciate the help!

Take the fuel line off the petcock, and place your finger over the hole, then turn on the petcock. If it's still leaking, you've eliminated the carbs, and fuel line. If it were the petcock though you'd think if you turned it off it would still be leaking.

Good Luck.

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

What news? Did you find it?

Bring it to the NH Rally, we'll figure it out!
Uncle Charlie

I could make a joke outta all of this... but I won't.

"I could make a joke outta all of this... but I won't."

I was wondering who would be the first!

I haven't checked it out yet. I should be able to take a look this weekend.

Allow me to boil things down a bit

The oem petcock is cheap and unreliable. While your tank is on the garage floor, chances are you will notice a small puddle of gas on the garage floor under the petcock. I did and I replaced the petcock with a Pingel fuel tap.

The fuel free flows from the tank except for three things:
1. Petcock
2. Fuel line between the petcock and the carbs
3. Float needles.

Leaky petcocks, the ones that do not stop the flow of fuel may allow fuel to be seen on your motor or under your motorsickle in two circumstances, a. bad fuel line/bad fuel line clamps b. float needles that do not seat properly.

What to do?

Remove the petcock side of the fuel line. Dry everything and observe if there is any leakage from the petcock. Holding your finger on the petcock fuel spout will not tell you anything. You need to see if it leaks by observing dribbles or drips. While you are there, take a paper towel and hold it around the petcock/tank mating plate. It could be leaking there. If the petcock dribbles while turned off, that is a problem that manifest itself (gas on the floor/motor) primarily with sticky float needles. Secondarily the fuel line itself may be split/cracked. Highly unlikely but worthy of a closer look.

If the fuel line is good and the fuel line connections are good, then the petcock leakage will not have anywhere to leak out. In essence the fuel flow is stopped. Stopped by the float needles. The needles have a rubber tip that will suffer the effects of alcohol. They may be seated properly but the rubber seat itself is distorted and no longer affords a tight enough seal. The float bowls fill up and the carbs continue to fill up literally until the fuel exits into either the cylinders then into the oil or the fuel simply exits the rear of the carbs (out the air filter side) then you get to see and smell gasoline!

The float needles are controlled by the floats. Floats would be the last thing to check. Check float heights and check for flooded float(s).

help i hope this does.

And the winner is...Moe!

Looks like a float issue. We isolated the leak and I hope to have it fixed this week or next.

Thanks to everyone for their help - I really appreciate it.

Quote:

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Looks like a float issue

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ok if this is what was wrong I would also look at your OIL and if it was me I would drain and change it...and so you know why.. when floats stick like your talking about.. it will back the gas back up thought the carb's into the head and down into the crank case ...contaminating you oil....I have even see it fill the crank case up with gas...

Ed