Petcock flow

[Guest]

So I'm wondering if my Petcock is broken. It's currently off the bike, and it's on the "on" position, which drops fuel. I have to keep the fuel line up so it doesn't drip. The prime position makes it flow. Is this all normal?

[rwnielsen]

Mine only flows when it's in the prime position when it's off the bike. In the run position it only flows when there's vacuum applied to it. No drips.

[azr]

Your petcock should not drip any fuel when in the 'on' position. You need a new one. You need to smell you oil, likely there is fuel in it and you will need to change your oil

[tom203]

Just get new one and problem solved. Z1 or this Florida guy

http://www.georgefixs.com/servlet/the-541/BRAND-NEW-SUZUKI-GS300/Detail

Does yours look like this?

[Anthony]

It looks exactly like that!

[Anthony]

Is there an aftermarket petcock that is more efficient than the OEM?

[bwringer]

Is there an aftermarket petcock that is more efficient than the OEM?

Define "more efficient" and why you think you need a "more efficient" petcock.

An OEM or OEM replacement petcock can flow far more fuel than even a very heavily modified GS engine can use.

Your petcock is over 30 years old and it does not work correctly, and it will not work correctly. The only proven path forward is to replace the petcock with a new one that works as designed. Rebuild kits do not work. Hillbilly workarounds do not work.

Look at it this way: it's a valve that controls the flow of a highly flammable substance a few inches from your gonads.

[Anthony]

A very good point. So is Z1 the place to go to for the OEM petcock then?

[koolaid_kid]

Absolutely not. Go to a dealer. They are the only ones that carry the correct vacuum petcock.

[tkent02]

Z1 or that guy in florida have the same petcocks, same castings and everything, and there are others such as Pingle that are every bit as good, actually better without the vacuum part.

One hillbilly fix that works on the early GSes, if the diaphragm or the vacuum shut off portion is leaking, is to make the vacuum petcock into a manual petcock, sorry I'm not sure about doing this on a 450, haven't looked at one yet.

[G.S.Joe]

After wasting hours trying to find vacuum issues, then $20 on a petcock rebuild kit that leaked worse, I ponied up the $ for a new OEM one. Think I paid $80 shipped on ebay. Don't screw around like I did.

[Anthony]

My dealer wants to try and sell me an OEM Petcock with oring for $100. They said they price match though, so I guess that's nice. I'll just have them price match Z1 or cheapcycleparts

[azr]

Z1's petcock is not an OEM petcock, it's an aftermarket one. I wouldn't recommend it either, mine only lasted 2 years. $100 isn't too bad, you might be able to find one for $80 online. You can try these guys, they're know for one of the cheapest OEM prices online.

http://www.partsoutlaw.com/

[tom203]

Absolutely not. Go to a dealer. They are the only ones that carry the correct vacuum petcock.

I doubt that Suzuki has their own unique petcock supplier- they likely get them from same guy as Z1 and georgefix. My Georgie unit was identical to original,except that injection casting was better done- which you would expect after 31 years.

[imax]

vacuum petcock flows in on position

i just bought the rebuild kit and after installing all the internals it pours gas out in both the on and res position. I took the petcock back off and redid everything. same result. I'm reading on here that the rebuild kits dont work however it never flowed gas in the on or res before (the previous owner told me it needed to be rebuilt because of a leak into the vacuum hose). What would cause the constant flow if it didnt do that before?

imax -

Took it apart again and the O ring is bowed out in the middle. the original didnt bow like that it laid in there flat. Can't believe I'm spending this much money on a new fuel cock.