Topic: Couple petcock questions

[Scootch]

So I got my petcock off and cleaned up. My parts arrived today. Reassembling and have a couple questions...
1. Does the orientation of the seal (the thing with the 4 holes in it) matter?
2. The manual and a Yamiya video show the screen inserted with the 2 tabs facing away from the tank. I reasoned that those 2 tabs should face the tank and straddle that little bump. What are those tabs for and does it matter which way they face?

[BenelliSEI]

You may be right, but they also help to pull it out. I face them out.

[Scootch]

You may be right, but they also help to pull it out. I face them out.

Ohh my gosh... I never thought about that 🤔😂

[BenelliSEI]

Truthfully they usually self destruct anyways, but those tabs make it easier!

[WideAWAKE]

Tabs are there to pull it apart.

They face out.

[Scootch]

Ok got it! Now what about the thing they call the fuel cock fixing packing? Is there a certain orientation on that?

[BenelliSEI]

Ok got it! Now what about the thing they call the fuel cock fixing packing? Is there a certain orientation on that?

Is yours held on by two screws or a single gland nut? If the later, the packing washer should slip in either way.

[Don R]

 I believe the four-hole washer goes in with the more pronounced bulges facing the moving part, unless both sides are the same in which case it doesn't matter. 
 I noticed the kits on ebay are displayed with lock washers for the two screws. I'm surprised they don't have fiber or copper washers because they need to seal to allow the fuel to not leak past the screws.

[Scootch]

My valve handle is held on with 2 screws. I bought this kit from Yamiya. I don't buy stuff like this from eBay any more unless it's clearly stated that it's genuine Honda. There is no clear difference one side to the other on this replacement part but I will check it again. This Yamiya kit came with fiber washers for under the screw heads. The washers that I removed were copper and seemed too large. Thank you for everyone's input.

[newday777]

My valve handle is held on with 2 screws. I bought this kit from Yamiya. I don't buy stuff like this from eBay any more unless it's clearly stated that it's genuine Honda. There is no clear difference one side to the other on this replacement part but I will check it again. This Yamiya kit came with fiber washers for under the screw heads. The washers that I removed were copper and seemed too large. Thank you for everyone's input.

Do you have the link to the Yamiya kit?

[newday777]

Ok got it! Now what about the thing they call the fuel cock fixing packing? Is there a certain orientation on that?

Measure the holes. Isn't there one that is a different size to go on the locator nub? It's been a while since working on them....

[Scootch]

Here is the link
https://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=246_251_182_80&products_id=269

[Scootch]

Here are pics of the actual part... I measured the holes and they all appear to be the same size. There doesn't appear to be a difference in height from one side to the other regarding the raised areas around the holes...

[BenelliSEI]

Looks like it doesn’t matter to me. Put some lubricant on that to help until it gets wet with fuel…..

[carnivorous chicken]

Looks like it doesn’t matter to me. Put some lubricant on that to help until it gets wet with fuel…..

Second this (was jsut about to respond with the same advice).

[bryanj]

PUT NEW FIBRE WASHERS ON THE TWO SCREWS HOLDIN ASSEMBLY TO TANK,
if you dont fuel will leak through to the carbs, also generic fibre washers are too thin and split

[Scootch]

Thank you all for the help and advice! I figured I'd ask and save myself potential frustration. I will put lube on the disk. I did put the fiber washers under the heads of the screws. I found copper washers under the screw heads when I took it apart. Those copper washers were too large. I feel confident this refurb is going to solve the carb runneth over issues.

[Scootch]

Some follow up with this... I have had to retorque the screws that hold the petcock to the tank several more times. Although leakage has steadily declined after each retorque it still managed to leak a tiny bit. Each time I retorque the screws turn a small amount. I attribute this to the phenolic or fiber washers giving a little bit each time. Has anyone dealt with this? Is this to be expected? Am I on the right track? Is this eventually going to stop leaking? Or do I need to do something else?

[bryanj]

Never torqued them ever, just done up tight

[Scootch]

Maybe I used the wrong terminology. I guess tighten would have been better.

[BenelliSEI]

Maybe I used the wrong terminology. I guess tighten would have been better.

I’ve had some that did that too. Last pair I soaked in a few ounces of gas overnight first.

[bryanj]

They do need to be damn tight, i normaly use expensive genuine Honda washers as they are thicker and stronger

[grcamna2]

They do need to be damn tight, i normaly use expensive genuine Honda washers as they are thicker and stronger

The Honda OEM seal/washers are excellent;expensive and they do the job and endure for decades.

[dave500]

ive used copper washers on those screws,tighten once and all good.

[RAFster122s]

They do need to be damn tight, i normally use expensive genuine Honda washers as they are thicker and stronger

The thicker and much more expensive Honda phenolic washers are key to getting it to seal and not leak. Yes the screws need to be really tight. Often when removing a petcock the screw emits a crack sound as it breaks free, if not totally wet with fuel...

Soaking the washer as someone shared can help give the washer some fuel soaked Phenolic material to squeeze between the petcock screw and carb and that little bit of cush gets compressed slightly and seems to seal better.I am surprised your screws are continuing to shrink. Maybe they are deteriorating or splitting...
Snap a cell photo of the screw heads in the carb after tightening and compare it to the view if it continues to leak. That would tell you if the screw is loosening or the material beneath the screw head is shrinking away below the head or something equally fishy...

[Scootch]

I think I have finally reached the point where the screws are now tight enough and the phenolic washers are sealing as they are supposed to. After the last tightening there has been no further leak. I think soaking the washers in gas for a day or so before install is the thing to do. I know that you have to be careful about cracking phenolic washers so I didn't honk on them initially. I think the washers have absorbed gas and softened a bit which is why I have needed to tighten the screws to get to this point.