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Message started by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 15:29:34

Title: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 15:29:34

I just got done attempting to get the bike going after its been sitting for quite some time. I feel pretty confident i did everything right but i still have one issue. When the line from the tank is disconnected from the carb and the valve is turned to on it still does not pour out gas. I'm thinking that the vavle might be gummed up or something from gas sitting in it so long. What can i do to make sure its cleaned out? I have a full tank of new gas in it with some sea foam that im hoping will help break it up. any suggestions?

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by Justinmkantor on 03/09/09 at 15:42:25

These holes in the switch are preety substantial but the screen is fine plastic mesh.like 3mm. may be clogged with rust if tank was real bad and filter was broke. Check in all settings (pri,on,off, res, whatever) and see if that helps. Otherwise you may have to drain the tank and check the petcock (he he I said . . . whatever) for clogging. Done this a couple of times, when they are old they can be fragile, so be careful with the filter. Then again I am the kind of guy who would try to fix my cell phone if I had any chance of being able to fix it. the filter is about 3-4 inches high so slosh the tank around see if you can dislodge anything stuck to the filter, and please no smoking while doing this type of work. May want to open a window unless you like that kind of thing.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by Skid Mark on 03/09/09 at 15:47:19

The stock petcock needs vaccuum from the carb to open a diaphram valve in the petcock, when the petcock lever is set to the regular run position. This prevents the tank draining in the carb, etc and flooding while the bike is not running. Search the site as therea are many threads covering how the petcock works & issues concerning it not working

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by kingart3 on 03/09/09 at 16:11:31

A friend and I both owned 150cc United Motors scooters. This was my first introduction to the vaccum petcock.

I pulled the fuel line from the tank to the carb one day and "no gas", but I had read one of the tech. manuals and vaguely recalled something about a petcock, so I had her turn it over with the starter.

Result: gas EVERYWHERE!

Good thing neither of us smoke ...LOL.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 03/09/09 at 16:21:56

I really hate to bring this up, but it is an easy mistake to do. Are you sure you're pulling the fuel line and not the vacuum line to test for fuel?

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 16:46:43

update: im not very familiar with how the vacuum works or anything since this is my first time working on a motorcycle. i tried to find threads regarding it but sadly im not very good at navigating forums so i came up with nothing. the line that i have disconnected is the line leading from the back of the petcock towards the carb. the line that has a spring wrapped around it is connected to the carb still. i tried to undo the fuel line, put it in a bucket and start it to see if it would shoot out gas like one person said and nothing. im not really sure where to go from here =/

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 03/09/09 at 16:54:43

Okay, then you have the correct line pulled. Have you tried putting the petcock in the "Pri" position? That should allow fuel to flow without having the engine running. If it doesn't, you may need to do as others have stated and pull the petcock to check the screen.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 16:59:09

yeah, actually i had tried that. if i pull the petcock do i actually have to drain the tank? can i just flip it over and be careful? lol. i just dont want to have to drain the gas i just put in there from the top again >_<

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 03/09/09 at 17:01:15

I've never had that problem, so I wouldn't know.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by serowbot on 03/09/09 at 17:31:47

The spring covered line is the vac line, it goes from the right side of the carb to the back of the petcock...
The front of the petcock is the fuel line it comes out horizontal and goes to the left side of the carb. It should only flow gas in the prime position.

The engine must be running to let gas flow from the on or reserve position....

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 17:52:20

ok, so i tried it on reserve position and got nothing. so it seems that there must be a clog... is there any good ways to check/clear it out?

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by verslagen1 on 03/09/09 at 18:17:08

reserve will do the same as on when the engine isn't running.
they are controlled by vacuume from the engine.

try prime, gas should flow whether the engine is on or not.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by Savage Eddie on 03/09/09 at 19:45:44

since i have flooded my bike twice, now im thinking i may have had the petcock set in the wrong position.......not good, ill pay more attention!

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 20:40:13

sorry, i meant i tried it on prime =P im definitely learning alot more about what those settings mean though lol

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by verslagen1 on 03/09/09 at 20:51:53

OK you gotta clog.

2 places to check.

drain tank, remove petcock, out will come a long plastic screen. should be clean. I'd reverse flush it with something. Check for varnish across the screen.

reverse flush should take care of second place. but if you would rather, 4 screws off the back will expose the inards. becarefull of the gasket or be prepared with gas resistant rtv.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 21:13:07

how do you reverse flush it? (like i said, im new to this stuff sorry)

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/09/09 at 21:55:33

Put the petcock on Prime & just gently Blow into the hose from petcock to carb. If its too short, get a longer hose. If you can just establish flow & get the tank empty, then pull the petcock out & have a look at it. The screen is not exactly Tough, be gentle with it. You pulled the lever back toward the rear tire? Horizontal? Thats prime.
A couple of pieces of tubing, one small ID, to use to apply "Vacuum" to the petcock, all ya gotta do is suck on it, theres no airflow & then a bigger ID hose to replace the one that goes to the carb, to blow in & get the crud off the screen, then youll have what you need to check the petcock in all positions & hopefully get the screen unblocked & empty the tank. Good Luck..

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by verslagen1 on 03/09/09 at 21:56:09

Well, I'm making this as I go along too, just stuff that I've thought of doing after taking it all apart and wonderin'... if there's another beer in the frig.

Naturally, gas would be the preference. turkey baster might do it. siringe. Got me a big siringe for measuring out additives from wally world. But water might do for blowing out crud. Put it on prime and baste away.

another thing that might do it is seafoam. An ounce or 2 in a nearly empty tank should disolve what ever down there.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/09/09 at 21:59:27

well i have half a can of seafoam in with the tank of gas in there right now. if it doesnt clear up by tomorrow morning ill try those suggestions after school. thanks alot for all the help guys =]

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/10/09 at 21:03:42

oh golly. i siphoned the tank and took off the petcock and guess what... it was fine... turned the tank over just for kicks and what was left of the gas came out. put the petcock back on turned it to prime and still got nothing. at this point its looking like i might just have to buy a new petcock? idk what else to do

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by verslagen1 on 03/10/09 at 21:12:05

I have a theory that the diaphram rubber goes hard.

You did take the petcock apart?

Because there is a little plunger that sits in a hole that may get stuck.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/10/09 at 21:19:27

yeah, i took the petcock apart. i dont quite understand how that thing works though so idk, nothing seemed too weird. im still confused why even w/ the diaphragm weird why it wouldnt pour out gas when on prime? doesnt that not even really deal w/ the diaphragm then? i also made the inteligent decision of taking off the lil switch nob thingy and im afraid i may have turned it funny or something =/

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by verslagen1 on 03/10/09 at 21:30:47

That may be the problem.

when it's turned to prime a little finger moves out and pushes the valve open.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/10/09 at 21:38:38

well i pulled it off after it wasnt working in the first place :P figured i had pulled everything else apart and nothing seemed wrong so minds well see whats in there. i dont really know whats goin on w/ that plastic piece though so i cant really fix anything if its wrong =/ id just bring the whole petcock into a bike shop if i didnt work tomorrow. i hate wanting to fix it when i dont have time to make the trips...

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by prechermike on 03/11/09 at 03:06:55

For all this talk about a petcock problem, I would just get the raptor petcock and replace it. Oh, that is what I did.

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by serowbot on 03/11/09 at 10:05:50

Just one more thing..... Are you sure you have the vac line going to the vac port, and the fuel line going to the fuel port?....

Title: Re: fuel tank issue
Post by dan savage on 03/11/09 at 13:04:24

yeah, im sure i have both lines going to the right ports. i just gonna get another petcock. thanks alot for all the help guys.