Petcock seals?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

This is a new thread as it is a new subject Got my bike all back to gather after repainting, was real careful to make sure all the petcock mounting surfaces were smoth and clean Noticed today after a fill up and sitting overnight, one is weaping fuel I used the orginial old O rings and mounting screw washer seals, looks like the O ring is the leak. I ordered new OEM O rings today and will install soon. Do you guys just trust the O rings, or do you apply some sort of fuel prof-sealent also? If so, what kind do you use Thanks

[motoman]

If you re-painted the tank, remove any paint where the O-ring resides BEFORE installing. O-ring won't seal correctly where there's paint. Thin shiney film of dialectic grease on the O-ring WILL help it seat properly when tightened down. Just my experience with this scenario and similar ones in other applications.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Thanks

If you re-painted the tank, remove any paint where the O-ring resides BEFORE installing. O-ring won't seal correctly where there's paint. Thin shiney film of dialectic grease on the O-ring WILL help it seat properly when tightened down. Just my experience with this scenario and similar ones in other applications.

Thanks, I could try the Dia grease, but is it fuel prof I had mask off the total area the petcock would cover to maintain the origainal sealing surface and made sure to go far enough to not have a "lip" in the seal zone caused by the thickness of the new paint on the rest of the tank

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

POR tank seal?

I have a can of POR tank seal, I was thinking of brushing on a layer on both the tank and petcock, any thoughts, pros or cons

[3Phase]

I have a can of POR tank seal, I was thinking of brushing on a layer on both the tank and petcock, any thoughts, pros or cons

Well, it's your bike... I used a leftover o-ring from the oil filter housing and made my own o-rings for both fuel taps.

Lay the o-ring down in the groove in the fuel tap, then cut it a little long so the cut ends overlap one another about 1/4".

Fit the new o-ring into the groove so that the extra length pushes and holds the cut ends together tightly and the o-ring stays in the groove. It should be a very snug fit in the fuel tap groove with absolutely no gap at the cut ends of the o-ring.

If it's too short the new o-ring won't hold the cut ends together when the o-ring eventually starts to harden and shrink, then it will start to leak so make another one if it's too short..

If it's too long the new o-ring won't stay in place and it will pop out of the groove when you put the fuel tap on the tank. Trim it a little bit at a time until it fits and holds the cut ends together.

When the new o-ring is fitted, hold the fuel tap in place on the tank so it doesn't move, then put in the screws and slowly tighten them down.

That's it, you're done. Add some fuel and checks for leaks.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Well, it's your bike... I used a leftover o-ring from the oil filter housing and made my own o-rings for both fuel taps.

Lay the o-ring down in the groove in the fuel tap, then cut it a little long so the cut ends overlap one another about 1/4".

Fit the new o-ring into the groove so that the extra length pushes and holds the cut ends together tightly and the o-ring stays in the groove. It should be a very snug fit in the fuel tap groove with absolutely no gap at the cut ends of the o-ring.

If it's too short the new o-ring won't hold the cut ends together when the o-ring eventually starts to harden and shrink, then it will start to leak so make another one if it's too short..

If it's too long the new o-ring won't stay in place and it will pop out of the groove when you put the fuel tap on the tank. Trim it a little bit at a time until it fits and holds the cut ends together.

When the new o-ring is fitted, hold the fuel tap in place on the tank so it doesn't move, then put in the screws and slowly tighten them down.

That's it, you're done. Add some fuel and checks for leaks.

I have the correct OEM "O" rings ordered and on there way ($2.50 each, no extra S/H as I added them to an order I was placing for some other stuff) I was just thinking I "might" paint the tank and petcock seal surfaces with POR as insurance, don't see how it can hurt unless it damages the new O rings

[3Phase]

Ah! I totally misread that and thought you were going to paint your tank with POR15!

[jetmechmarty]

The new o'rings are going to do the job. Surfaces clean as stated. Seal lube is OK, too. Petrolatum (Vaseline) will do the trick. Grease is not to make the seal, but only to help the o'ring seat.

Marty (in Tampa)