Can a fuel Petcock go bad?
If the bike runs on RES and PRI but has issues running in ON,then the petcock is bad. If you disassemble the petcock,you will more than likely damage the internal diaphragm.
What does fuel Petcock do?
A petcock, or sometimes referred to as a fuel tap or fuel valve, is a 2 or 3 way valve on the bottom of your fuel tank. It works by directing fuel from your tank to the carburetors or fuel injectors. Fuel is pulled by either gravity or vacuum from the fuel system.
What does PRI mean on a Petcock?
Here’s the word from that listing. The pet cock on the 800 drifter has 3 positions… PRI (Prime); RES (Reserve) and ON. This is a vacuum operated valve so when the bike is off, the valve is automatically OFF. Use the PRI position only to prime the valve after maintenance, etc.
How does a vacuum Petcock work?
The way a vacuum petcock works is the vacuum pulls the diaphragm back, compressing a spring and releasing pressure on a ball or some other sort of valve, this allows fuel to flow around the ball and to the carb. When the engine shuts off, the vacuum is removed and the fuel shuts off.
How do vacuum fuel pumps work?
The vacuum operates a diaphragm contained within the fuel pump to release fuel. The motor creates suction everytime the piston is on its down stroke after the Exhaust stroke. As the diaphragm moves up, it creates a vacuum, pulling fuel from fuel tank into the fuel bowl.
Why is my Petcock leaking?
At worst, fuel fills the cylinder, eliminates compression and prevents the piston from moving. Once the petcock is “off” you’ll notice gas leaking out of the face of the petcock. That’s when you know it’s the petcock and not anything else associated with the fuel system.
Why is it called a Petcock?
The “pet” part seems to be rooted in an old sense of “pet” meaning “small,” possibly related to our modern “petty,” in turn harking back to the French “petit” (small), which all makes sense since a “petcock” is, as we noted, a small faucet.
When can I turn my Petcock off?
No, there is no legal requirement that you should turn the petcock to “OFF” when you shut your bike down at the end of your ride. However, it is a good practice, especially if you own an older motorcycle (1990s vintage or earlier), before gravity-fed carburetors were largely replaced with fuel injection systems.