Serowbot wrote on 09/16/09 at 19:32:56:running on prime,... you will have no reserve. and you will still leak...
What if the reason it was leaking in the first place was because I was flooding it? I mean, it would idle, then die, and so I would start it while giving it lots of gas, and keep giving it gas to keep it running. Could it be possible that nothing was ever wrong with the float or float needle, and it was only leaking fuel because I was giving it way too much gas to keep it running (due to a malfunctioning petcock), forcing fuel through the needle valve, flooding the float bowl, and forcing it out of the vent tubes?
Serowbot wrote on 09/16/09 at 19:32:56:You should at least pull the petcock and see what's up with it... it sounds like the vacuum diaphragm is slightly torn. Not enough to leak into the vacuum line on it's own, but leaking when the engine vacuum is applied.
So if I take the petcock apart and there's a problem with it, I should be able to see what's causing it?
Serowbot wrote on 09/16/09 at 19:32:56:Only options I know of,.. convert to manual, replace with stock,... go to Raptor. I recommend the Raptor, it's just a better design all 'round and way cheaper than a used stocker.
I have one,... I never shut it off unless there's a problem or I'm pullin' the tank.
So if I get a Raptor, it's okay to leave it on all the time? It won't cause fuel to leak into the crankcase or anything? For some reason I feel like I've read something warning about that...
Serowbot wrote on 09/16/09 at 19:32:56:At the least,... block the vacuum line as shown in the pic above... that will stop any vacuum or gas leak... then you can run on prime, but you will have no reserve,... and on position will work as a partial shut-off, but may leak due to the torn diaphragm... This is a half-a$$ sorta' fix, that will get you down the road for a while.
So if I do run on prime, I need to block the vacuum line? I can't just put it on prime and ride it around as is?
Serowbot wrote on 09/16/09 at 19:32:56:The stock Suzuki petcock is crap....
If the stock petcock's such a bad design, I wonder why they went with it in the first place. I mean, it's more complicated than the kind like the Raptors, so it would seem like they could have saved money by going with a simpler design, like something that doesn't use vacuum. Do most bikes have petcocks like the Raptors, or vacuum-operated petcocks like ours?