• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Inside Ring/Spring/Plunger Problem on Pet Cock?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pmong
  • Start date Start date
P

pmong

Guest
Hi,

I posted earlier about a problem with my pet cock on a GS450GA. It would only run for about 3-4 miles when on fuel then die, even with a full tank. I am able to run it on reserve without a problem, other than it is very hard to turn the lever to that position. (Yes, doubled check with the manual and service manual, and the position is RES.) So got a rebuild kit.

When disassembling the pet cock and looking inside from the front, I am puzzled by the shape of a part that looks like a ring/spring/plunger component. The item is thin, between about 1/8 wide, and sits in a groove. From what I gather from the service manual, that is used to mechanically push open the diaphragm when using PRIM. However, it does not seem to be the right of the shape, and and the tip is not in the correct location to push down the diaphragm.

I am including a photo. The spring is at the bottom. For reference, the top hole on the cylinder wall is the FUEL intake hole.

Does the spring look right?

Thank you in advance.

InsidePetCockResized.jpg


http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z45/pmong9/InsidePetCockResized.jpg
 
I'm no expert and this is the first glimpse I've had inside a petcock, but that looks like a ring or a clip of sorts that got crushed out of shape to me.
 
Gonzo said:
I'm no expert and this is the first glimpse I've had inside a petcock, but that looks like a ring or a clip of sorts that got crushed out of shape to me.
Click to expand...

Gonzo. Thanks. I think you are right. If the valve is not inserted correctly, then a tab inside the valve could fold that thin metal piece. Moreover, the pet cock is very hard to turn, which indicates that something is possibly wrong.

I hope someone can confirm this diagnostic and knows what can be done to correct this. Otherwise, I would have to buy a whole new pet cock.
 
Just get another petcock from Z1 With what you spent on the rebuild kit it is sad!!! for a few dollars more you would have had a new petcock.. Just ONE of the reason why it is better to buy new
 
I just had this same finding in the petcock of my '85 GS700E this past weekend. The little metal deal was all twisted and bent up. The end result was that the petcock wouldn't flow in the 'PRIME' position. It wouldn't properly open the valve. You're description is correct - when the petcock is moved to PRIME, that strip pushes the plunger open whether there's engine vacuum or not. BTW, when in that position, the petcock draws from the RESERVE tube within the tank.

I've reassembled the petcock without the metal strip and swapped the vacuum-controlled plunger's spring from one side to the other. This effectively eliminates the vacuum feature while still allowing an ON and a RESERVE position. However, this also means there's no way to shut off the petcock, which means you're depending on the carbs' needle valves to keep the fuel off overnight, etc.

I don't trust the carbs' needles to do this, so I'll just splice a shut-off valve in the line and be done with it. I really hate the vacuum-operated petcocks.... :)

Kirk
 
SqDancerLynn1 said:
Just get another petcock from Z1 With what you spent on the rebuild kit it is sad!!! for a few dollars more you would have had a new petcock.. Just ONE of the reason why it is better to buy new
Click to expand...

Yeah, should have, could have. A lesson learned. However, given a limited budget, the rebuilt kit seem a good way to go at the time.
 
kirkn said:
I just had this same finding in the petcock of my '85 GS700E this past weekend. The little metal deal was all twisted and bent up. The end result was that the petcock wouldn't flow in the 'PRIME' position. It wouldn't properly open the valve. You're description is correct - when the petcock is moved to PRIME, that strip pushes the plunger open whether there's engine vacuum or not. BTW, when in that position, the petcock draws from the RESERVE tube within the tank.

I've reassembled the petcock without the metal strip and swapped the vacuum-controlled plunger's spring from one side to the other. This effectively eliminates the vacuum feature while still allowing an ON and a RESERVE position. However, this also means there's no way to shut off the petcock, which means you're depending on the carbs' needle valves to keep the fuel off overnight, etc.

I don't trust the carbs' needles to do this, so I'll just splice a shut-off valve in the line and be done with it. I really hate the vacuum-operated petcocks.... :)

Kirk
Click to expand...

Kirk,

Thanks for confirming this. I may take your approach. Right now, the pet cock is back on and uses the vacuum feature. As you say, the problem is no PRIM now. What happened the the old simple ON-OFF, and perhaps a RES? Guess the vacuum feature is useful to those who are forgetful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top