Subject: Petcock Problems
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Apr 28, 2005, 6:15 PM
Post ID: 1718782709
Just getting back home from a business trip. The fiber washers arrived
from MG Cycle, so I went out to the garage to check things out. I found
out that there were indeed some washers on the petcocks, but they were
thinner paper type washers compared to the fiber washers from MG.
Thought this was the problem, but realized I have another issue. It
appears this petcock is loose fitting as I can wiggle it quite a bit
while threading it onto the tank. I had this same problem with the
exhaust header nuts and was forced to return them. They have enough
thread to spin on, but as soon as it gets tight, it pops loose. Threads
on the tank are fine and these are new petcocks. I called Mark and he
mentioned using pipe tape or teflon tape on the petcocks to tighten it
up, but 1st to get it aligned. Went out to the garage again and got it
aligned using 2 new fiber washers and 1 thin paper washer that was on
there before. Actually got it to tighten up pretty good without popping
loose, but once I poured the gas in, you can see the washer get wet
immediately and gas actually works it's way up onto the tank around the
cylinder where the threads are, eventually getting wet enough to start
dripping down the carb. So, I gather the looseness of the petcock may
be allowing that gas to flow down the threads rather easily and the
washers can not withstand the wetness coming at them and give way. What
are my options to fix this? Is there a type of thread tape that
withstands fuel? I would guess the teflon tape would get eaten up
pretty quick. Mark mentioned the quick drying JB weld stuff. I have
never used it. Will this stuff withstand fuel? Is it a liquid/gel type
of glue that I would just smear all over the threads and then install
the petcock?
Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ