Manual fuel petcock VS vacuum

Hi everyone.

My fuel petcock started leaking like crazy all of a sudden… looks like it’s leaking out of the turn knob itself.

I found a gasket rebuilt kit for $20, but for $30 I can get the whole petcock.
The difference is that the factory petcock is vacuum activated, and the replacement is a manual shot off (on, off, reserve). http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-AFTERMARKET ... 0b&vxp=mtr


I’m trying to decide if I should try rebuilding it (never done it before), or just buy the complete, simplified petcock.

Any input is appreciated.

 

I think there are some petcock rebuild threads in XJ Chat. Having a manual version might be better - fewer 20-year old stuff to fail on the road - but the un-named manual version may be of questionable quality. I have a manual petcock in my XT600E and I assume most small displacementdual sport Yamahas do too. Maybe take your old one to a friendly Yamaha parts counter to see if a new OEM manual would have the same bolt spaces?

 

I'd suggest doing the rebuild kit. Its really easy & only a few parts. At least you wont have to remember to shut off the valve every time, & risk flooded carbs. You can do it man!

 

I recently rebuilt my stock petcock with a kit from chacal. I didnt have such a good experience. The process is simple enough. Clean it really good and make all surfaces as shiney and clean as you can. I followed the instructions to the T, but mine still leaked out of the vent in the plastic spacer.

Nothing I did would make the petcock stop leaking from that vent. So I took it apart again, removed that plastic spacer and added a gasket over the diaphragm. This effectively makes the factory petcock an "ON OFF" valve. Now my petcock only flows in PRI, the other 2 positions are off. The only problem with this is I lose the reserve funtion. But I just wanted a quick fix for now.

You can find a manual on off valve on ebay with reserve for like 30$. Which is cheaper than I paid for the kit. That will probably be what I go with next. The vacuum feature is nice if it actually works though.

 

I bought the manual kit from chacal, in the last 2 years I haven't forgotten to turn it off.

Remembering to turn it on, now that is different.

 

I vote for replacing with a manual petcock, it's just simple and less things to go wrong. I think I paid around $30 for mine and have never had a problem. Of course, growing up riding old dirtbikes, I'm conditioned to always turn it off after a ride.

 

i just turn mine on prime

 

you could try modifying your petcock from auto to manual ,as i did here
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=36638.html