Tanks & Petcocks

LDO107 · Posted: July 23, 2009, 10:43 am Post subject: Tanks & Petcocks

I was wondering why vacuum petcocks? I guess it's a good thing to keep you from contaminating your oil with fuel as well as walking into your garage with a pool of fuel on the floor. Is there a problem with using the regular non-vacuum petcocks, especially when using an aftermarket tank?

Also, must you have two?

y apologies for the dumb newb questions.

schtipp · Posted: July 23, 2009, 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Tanks & Petcocks

shouldn't be a problem. you do run the risk of the aformentioned trouble if your floa.t needle gets stuck. you can go to a single petcock if you like

nj1639 · Posted: July 23, 2009, 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: Tanks & Petcocks

Vacuum petcocks and a sticking float will contaminate your oil, been there.

LDO107 · Posted: July 23, 2009, 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Tanks & Petcocks

There would only be a problem if you forget to turn your petcock off though right? (unless it internally fails).

nj1639 · Posted: July 23, 2009, 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tanks & Petcocks

My petcock failed internally along with the sticking float.
Gas came out of the air filters and also into the crank.
In my past riding days my bike had the manual petcock so that's where I went with my xs.

Retiredgentleman · Posted: July 23, 2009, 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tanks & Petcocks

The problem with vacuum petcocks is that they do not have an "Off" position. Yes, when the engine shuts down, they "should" close off tight, but because they are old they are not reliable.

I use 2 manual shut-off types and I know that off is really off.

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