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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> No Fuel Through Petcock
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Message started by Mike M on 04/26/08 at 20:53:54

Title: No Fuel Through Petcock
Post by Mike M on 04/26/08 at 20:53:54

Hi Folks,

Can't start the bike after a winter of storage and finally discovered gas is not flowing past the petcock to the carb. Not on any setting, including prime. A complete disassembly of the petcock seams to show nothing abnormal - the diaphragm is intact, o-rings in place, nothing plugged up. The screen filter looks good. Just to prove gas is getting through the filter, I first removed only the back plate (that the diaphragm attaches to) of the petcock and turned the tank over - gas puored out. It stops flowing when the diaphragm and plate is reattached. I thought maybe the plastic cylinder valve wasn't turning in sync with the external indicator, but it looks oriented correctly when I reassembled - still no flow. I did notice that there is a wide and narrow part to the slot where the external switch mates to the plastic internal cylinder. So anybody have an idea what's going on or what I should try? I hate to buy a new assembly if this one can be fixed.

Sorry for the long explanation and thanks for any suggestions.

Title: Re: No Fuel Through Petcock
Post by serowbot on 04/27/08 at 09:37:54

"- gas puored out. It stops flowing when the diaphragm and plate is reattached."

This should be telling you something. You've got gas to there, and that's the last stop before it comes down the tube.

Title: Re: No Fuel Through Petcock
Post by Gort on 04/27/08 at 11:45:08

I converted my petcock to fully manual as described here:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1113631600

This procedure make the bike more reliable because you won't have diaphragm failure miles from home, and should eliminate your gas flow problem. Don't forget to replace the oval rubber 'o' ring between the tank and petcock assembly. Don't use silicone sealer instead...every type of Permatex sealer tells you it will not withstand gasoline immersion. I bought 5 of these oval 'o' rings here:

https://www.ronayers.com/index.cfm

Title: Re: No Fuel Through Petcock
Post by Mike M on 04/27/08 at 20:09:35

Thanks for the replies. Serobot, you make a good, simple point. Sure seems like the diaphragm assembly is the culprit. What I don't understand is why fuel doesn't flow in prime, even if the diaphragm is shot. It isn't ripped, and still flexes, but it does seem to be stiff in texture. Perhaps it doesn't flex enough and is keeping the flow plugged regardless of the setting.

Gort, thanks for the link and thanks to bobo for the documentation to convert to manual. Sounds like I have nothing to lose by trying it.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how it turns out.