Petcock Leak

So I'm considering getting a petcock kit for my 82 xj550. It leaks out of the bottom gasket pretty bad. Would a rebuild kit be sufficient for these old petcocks, or do you recommend something else? Could I get away with just getting the bottom gasket?

 

Actually I'm not even seeing a gasket on eBay in that same shape... It has 2 screws on opposite corners. Could I just get some liquid gasket?

 

The rebuild kit is about $30; there's also a (non-vacuum operated, completely manual) new petcock available on ebay for that price. Some people have been very meticulous and still not been able to repair their petcock, so given that I don't have much experience machining parts, I put my original petcock aside to rebuild another day in the distant future and went with a manual one from ebay for the moment.

Make sure to turn it off when you stop if you go that route, don't want to accidentally get gas in your oil one day...

 

If you rebuild it, do it right if you want it to work right: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=25058.html

XJ4Ever has all of the necessary and correct parts. If you follow the instructions carefully you can successfully rebuild it, provided the valve seat isn't pitted beyond polishing out. That's covered in the linked article.

 

I just ordered the gasket from XJ4Ever... he was great to work with on the order.

So is that gasket a felt style? Is there a good recommendation for installation, or is it just sandwich and hope it works? Thanks!

 

GEEZ. LOOK at the article, please: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=25058.html the entire process is covered, and then some.

That gasket is rubber, and if properly installed will work fine.

From the above-linked "how-to:"

 

I had read the entire article, before you posted it again. All it says in reference to that gasket is "For the petcocks so equipped, fit a new output pipe flange gasket." All I wanted to know is if there were special considerations from everyone who have dealt with these bikes/petcocks before. You must be sick of anyone who finds the search feature on this forum difficult to find specific answers. I'm sorry to have asked such an apparent common question. GEEZ!

 

i ordered a rebuild kit for mine off of ebay before i took it apart...and well needless to say i just ordered a deluxe petcock from chacal..because mine wasnt rebuildable

 

It says "fit a new gasket." The pictures illustrate said gasket, and clearly show it in position. Then it says "install the output flange" and the picture shows it installed. If there were any "special considerations" they would have been mentioned. I'm sorry if I couldn't see how I could have possibly made it any clearer. What exactly did I leave out? Anyone???

I'm only "sick of" people who can't or won't follow advice given. That doesn't seem to be your issue; it simply appeared from your questions that you hadn't actually read the article. My apologies.

 

take my advice--learned the hard way--follow fitz's instructions to the letter, and the rebuild kit will work. Cleanliness and polishing is critical. Do it right the first time.

 

Hey man I try-- you have no idea how many hours and how many photos (that are never seen) go into my stuff. Thanks for the good word.

 

And yes, your step by step guide was very thorough and well documented and photographed. Thank you for the resource and shared experience.