Before I rebuild/replace the fuel petcocks

[nate]

Before i replace or rebuild the fuel petcocks on my 1980 xs11.Is there a way to leak test them while i have the tank off?
When the bike sits more then 1 day i have fuel in the oil.Or at least the oil smells like fuel.Or is this a symptom of something else?

Thanks Nate.

[randy]

Nate,

With the tank off, do the petcocks dribble fuel? If so, I'd say they need rebuilding. Also float valves in the carbs are probably leaking, allowing fuel to overflow into the intake tract, down the cylinders and past the rings.

[mason79]

change your oil,

pull the tank,
flip it to prime, if it flows good,

flip it to run, if it flows no good

flip it to reserve if it flowsno good,

rebuild time, or at least take it apart and see and clean bend springs etc. and hope...

if you want to go manual, mikes xs manual replacement for the 78-84 might fit, i have one ordered and will let yawl know...

or i have a parts n more getup for sale.

[81xsproject]

The petcocks are very simple inside and can be rebuilt cheaply. Bikebandit has the rubber valve seal for 8.75 ea. This and an o-ring you could get at the hardware store are all you need, unless you have the vacuum petcocks (which I know nothing about). If you don't want to do the leg work, Cycle Re-cycle has a kit for both at around $30. The other thing to be sure of is that your floats aren't set too high.

All this brings up another point. If you put your year and make in you signature line, it makes it easier for the rest of us to help you faster.

[nate]

I drained the tank so theres no fuel in it at current,and its off the bike.But know that you told me how to check I'll put some in it and see what happens.Yes they are vacuum petcocks.Figured id ask now instead of putting it back together and having to tear it back apart.So check the petcocks?If that isn't the problem tear the carb apart?

Thank You
Nate

[mason79]

if you have gas in the oil, there is a chance you will have gas in the air box, gas when it overcomes a float valve can and do go everywere,

float valves leaking

float has holes and sinking leaving valves open

float rubbing against the bowl jamming it open, all the same leak

if it stops on the center stand, it maybe the rubbing culprit,

are you sure there is gas in the oil?

[nate]

The oil sure smelt like gas.And when i pulled the bottom half of the air cleaner off i got hit with a strong smell of gas.So were thinking float valves?How much work are they to check out/replace/repair?

[skids]

It is easy if you have a Ken Talbot float-pin-pusher tool. If you have to tap them out, it can be like diffusing an atomic bomb.

Originally posted by nate
The oil sure smelt like gas.And when i pulled the bottom half of the air cleaner off i got hit with a strong smell of gas.So were thinking float valves?How much work are they to check out/replace/repair?

[mason79]

it could smell like gas because it is the carbs but may not be leaking and you are over sensitive to the odor,

fill the tank and check the petcocks first, if they leak fix those first.

and write up a history of you ownership and about the bike, this could avoid a carb removal.

[midnight1980]

Originally posted by 81xsproject
The petcocks are very simple inside and can be rebuilt cheaply. Bikebandit has the rubber valve seal for 8.75 ea. This and an o-ring you could get at the hardware store are all you need,

humm what one here?


http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit...e~XS1100LG.asp

Description BikeBandit.com Part Number
Qty.
Unit Price
1: PIPE,JOINT 1
,(5MT6)

34272-001
$4.10
2: HOSE
(L130)

351521-001
$3.57
3: HOSE
,KC

351848-001
$4.11
6: HOSE

351861-001
$2.59
9: CLIP,SCISSOR
,U49 (2C05)

864-001
$1.56
10: CLIP,SCISSOR
(#1,3,4)

353460-001
$0.86
11: CLIP,SCISSOR
(YMUS)

353429-001
$1.82
13: DISCONTINUED

34273-001

$45.40
14: NET,FILTER 1

40994-001
$11.14
15: GASKET

26142-001
$2.94
16: SCREW, PAN HEAD
CARBURETOR 2

366184-001
$0.82
17: GASKET

34276-001
$1.47
20: WASHER,WAVE

357-001
$1.36
21: SEAL,COCK

34280-001
$4.33
22: VALVE

34277-001
$8.75
23: SCREW, PAN
(U49)

366640-001
$0.67
25: WASHER,PLATE
(5HN8)

4832-001
$0.45
26: DISCONTINUED

34274-001

$42.84
39: DIAPHRAGM ASY

34275-001
$57.52
40: SCREW, PAN HEAD

366709-001
$2.92
41: WASHER,SPRING
((M/T)) [WASHER,SPRING]

358142-001
$0.45

[John]

He has vacuum actuated petcocks, and that diagram is for a Special. Let's not confuse him with an octopus' plumbing, when he has a Standard.

[81xsproject]

Where's TC when you need a good summary? So, to sum up,
[list=1][*]If you have gas in oil, you definately have a float valve issue[*]If gas drips from fuel lines while petcocks are OFF, petcocks need restoring[/list=1]

It is worth tearing the petcocks apart before deciding on rebuilding them. If the rubber valve is good, sometimes a good cleaning, a little lube, and stiffening of the spring washer will do it. I imagine crap from the tank could get in there and block the diaphragm from sealing properly (again, I know squat about the standard petcocks ) Sorry to repeat everything every one said, but it was getting a little scattered.

[81xsproject]

standard?

[randy]

IMHO;



If you have gas in oil, you definately have a float valve (or float)issue AND a petcock issue.

Both of them have to be leaking to get a significant amount of fuel in the oil.

And, BTW, the first thing to 'go' in the petcock is the o-ring on the tip of the diaphram, not shown in any of those diagrams!

[nate]

Hi guys thank you for being patience with me,and Thank you for being so helpful.

Ok so i put some gas in the tank tonight.The right side petcock dribbles gas when on reserve but not on run,and flows on prime.81xsproject there is no off.So time to rebuild that petcock?And a def float problem?Can i splice the gas line and put a small petcock with on/off inline as a temp fix?