Petcock conundrum.

August Adams-Miller /

Apr 10, 2020 01:22PM

So I have a Garelli VIP and and I’ve never been able to kick start it, I always have had to pedal it down my driveway to get it running and even then it wouldn’t idle until it had been running for a few minutes. So anyway I was out riding the other day and when I got home I put the bike away but I forgot to turn my petcock to the off position. The next day I noticed I had left it on and to my surprise it kickstarted first try and idled. It has never done this. I left the gas on again and the next day it started right up again. I don’t want to flood my engine so can anyone explain if it’s ok to leave the petcock on and or why that has helped it run so much better?

Re: Petcock conundrum.

Moped Lar /

mopedlar

Apr 10, 2020 01:30PM

Don’t know why it’s doing that, but leaving your petcock in the On position is a potential fire hazard if it leaks for any reason.

Re: Petcock conundrum.

August Adams-Miller /

augustam01 OP

Apr 10, 2020 01:32PM

I’ve got brand new fuel lines and it’s a brand new petcock. I didn’t see or smell any leaks but I’ll definitely keep my eye on it.

Re: Petcock conundrum.

Moped Lar /

mopedlar

Apr 10, 2020 01:37PM

Several years ago, an MA follower left his petcock on and overnight it leaked onto a piece of carpeting he had the bike parked on. He went to start it and it backfired causing the gas vapor to ignite and then subsequently burned his garage down to the ground. He was lucky to have survived the explosion and fire. It’s your call.... (edited)

Re: Petcock conundrum.

P D /

pdcomm

Apr 10, 2020 01:44PM

> August Adams-Miller Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> I’ve got brand new fuel lines and it’s a brand new petcock. I didn’t see

> or smell any leaks but I’ll definitely keep my eye on it.

Unless it's an automatic fuel valve , controlled via vacuum , it's always recommended to turn a petcock off .

The reasons are : like Moby said , should a leak occur it's a definite fire hazard and should the float valve happen to not be copacetic , the motor could become hydrolocked . That can be very serious when it comes to repairs .

Just in case you don't know :

Hydrolock occurs when a volume of liquid greater than the volume of the cylinder at its minimum (end of the piston's stroke) enters the cylinder. Since liquids are nearly incompressible the piston cannot complete its travel; either the engine must stop rotating or a mechanical failure must occur.

Re: Petcock conundrum.

Dirty30 Dillon /

hydra

Apr 10, 2020 02:20PM

If sounds like you have poor fuel flow. I am guessing the reason you need to run start it down the drive is that fuel is trickling in so slowly that it takes time to fill the bowl.

I'm guessing if you left the petcock on for an hour after being left off all night, it would start just as well.

Re: Petcock conundrum.

August Adams-Miller /

augustam01 OP

Apr 10, 2020 03:41PM

How could I fix the fuel flow issue then? I’ve replaced the petcock and fuel lines and cleaned the carb and all the jets. When I flip my petcock on the fuel lines fill up very fast. Is there any other reason why my bowl takes so long to fill?

Re: Petcock conundrum.

P D /

pdcomm

Apr 10, 2020 04:56PM

> Dirty30 Dillon Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> If sounds like you have poor fuel flow. I am guessing the reason you

> need to run start it down the drive is that fuel is trickling in so

> slowly that it takes time to fill the bowl.

>

> I'm guessing if you left the petcock on for an hour after being left off

> all night, it would start just as well.

Likely more of an evaporation problem than a flow problem , as no problem after start .

Does your petcock have a PRIME position ? Try switching it there for start up .

If no Prime , simply turn the petcock to ON for a minute or two before starting .

That will allow the bowl to fill completely and the motor won't have to work as hard sucking the fuel into the mix .

Re: Petcock conundrum.

Stephen Keller /

keller_stephen

Apr 10, 2020 04:59PM

Are you using the choke on the carb when you cold start the bike?

Re: Petcock conundrum.

August Adams-Miller /

augustam01 OP

Apr 10, 2020 06:10PM

like 70% of the time I have to use choke

MOPED ARMY

Login or Create Account