Gasket Under Petcock

[gplouff]

My 81 1100 came with a tank that had a lever-less petcock that had a gasket between the tank and the petcock, plus the normal o-ring. The gasket had obviously leaked at some point. The tank was dry when I got the bike, and I'm not quite ready to put gas in the tank yet, plus it will surely leak again anyway. I have a new petcock and o-ring on the way, but the parts breakdown on Babbitts does not show any gasket. Should there be one? This thing looks like it could have been a home made attempt to fix a leaky o-ring.
gas tank gasket.jpg

[BigD_83]

Every petcock I have ordered included a gasket (o-ring) ...but I have not ordered one for your model. None have looked like the one in your thumbnail.

[azr]

No there's not supposed to be a gasket there, just the o-ring. Must have been a repair job of some kind. Clean it up well and hopefully the metal is ok ynder that gasket.

[rockford]

Don't over tighten it. I've had 2 bikes with those crummy petcocks. I've removed them from both bikes for a couple of reasons. The bolts weren't very tight on either one of them and neither one of them ever leaked.

[chuck hahn]

Sand the area clean of all that paint curlings and rust. Inspect where the petcock will seat for pitting that may cause a leak. If there is some pitting, skim it with some JB Weld and sand it with a s flat sanding block to make a new seating surface.

And remember the bolts get the dowty washers on them so fuel doesnt migrate down the threads and cause a leak that way .

[gplouff]

Thanks guys. I did not know about the Dowty washers, but I know plenty now after searching the threads here. My guess is the petcock was put on without new Dowty washers, then it leaked, then someone tried to fix it by adding the gasket, which made it worse. I'll find some new Dowty washers or just pick up a tube of Hylomar.

[chuck hahn]

Washers are #6 here....same washers for all bikes.

http://www.hondabikes.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=95921&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1980&fveh=2155

[tom203]

Ace hardware sells these washers for about 35 cents each- they are marked for 1/4 inch id but they work fine on 6 mm too!

[JTGS850GL]

Yep, Home Depot has them as well:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-Galvanized-Bonded-Sealing-Washer-4-Piece-806738/204276438

and no, they wont dissolve or melt. I've used them for years with no deterioration.

[gplouff]

My local Suzuki dealer has those Dowty washers for $1.75 each. Never rule out your local dealer for OEM parts! The price difference is often negligible, plus they've got to send their kids to the dentist occasionally too. I've been running into the guy there for 35 years.