How to seal petock against tank?

[ty998]

I just completed removing the rust from the inside of my fuel tank and now it is time to put the petcock back on. While removing the petcock I noticed a rubbery red sealant used between the petcock and the tank. According to Clymer only the gasket is necessary. Would you guys recommend using a sealant in addition to the gasket? And if there is possbily an issue with the petock gasket what sealant would you recommend (along with new gasket)?

[kevmalvarez]

I've had to take off and reattach my petcock probably 20 times at this point and have never had issues just having the gasket there. As long as the gasket is in good condition and the surface it's attaching to is clean it should be just fine

[spyug]

As kev says, its not needed if the gasket is in good shape.

Spyug

[Nessism]

I'd get both a new petcock seal and new sealing washers for the attachment screws. The sealing washers are like a dowtey seal and are necessary to keep fuel from leaking out around the bolt heads. You also need the proper screws; they need a smooth surface underneath the head so the sealing washer has good compression.

[mmain1]

Not sure how much the sealing washers are or how long they would take to get to you, I bought 'bonded washers' from Ace Hardware locally. It is a cupped washer with a rubber seal bonded to it. Worked great for me.

[tom203]

Not sure how much the sealing washers are or how long they would take to get to you, I bought 'bonded washers' from Ace Hardware locally. It is a cupped washer with a rubber seal bonded to it. Worked great for me.

Good tip, I'm looking for some and I got an Ace, nearby. Thanks

[koolaid_kid]

Not sure how much the sealing washers are or how long they would take to get to you, I bought 'bonded washers' from Ace Hardware locally. It is a cupped washer with a rubber seal bonded to it. Worked great for me.

Same thing, different name. Be sure and get metric ones, though. IIRC, I have seen them at local auto parts, but not sure they had the metric sizes.

[tom203]

Same thing, different name. Be sure and get metric ones, though. IIRC, I have seen them at local auto parts, but not sure they had the metric sizes.

6 mm vs 1/4 inch- close enough for this application!

[the erastus]

I've never had a problem getting the petcock to seal on the tank an any of my GS's. The thing to look out for is the bolt seal washers. They are always worn out. I have remade them using gasket material and added a piece of inner tube with a hole. Works like a charm.

[bwringer]

I've been using black 1/4" nylon washers from the hardware store for the last, oh, ten years or so...

[ty998]

Petcock sealed fine with the current gasket. Red, rubbery gunk on there before just made me nervous.

[tom203]

I've been using black 1/4" nylon washers from the hardware store for the last, oh, ten years or so...

At Ace, the sealing washer was 36 cents, while the nylon washer was 27 cents- I decided to splurge and get the sealing washers to match my new deluxe Georgefix petcock. Got silly , ignored calendar, and went for 75 minute ride to test petcock operation- bike ran flawless . Rutted roads, lots of sand, and still frozen ponds in 75 degree heat- life is good.