The chrome ring that sets on top of the rubber gasket on the fuel port on my right tank came loose and was getting to be a pain in the *** every time I fueled up. I got some Permatex #80050 Clear RTV Silicone Adhesive Sealant and used it to reattach the beauty ring. Write up says it's designed for use on rubber, vinyl etc. Makes no mention of incompatibility with fuel or oil.

Today I took the bike out for a run and it keep dying out. Symptoms were in line with fuel starvation. Thought maybe I had a vent problem. When I unscrewed the cap I noticed clumps of what looked like Vaseline in the threads of the cap. There is also a slick oily feel to the threads.

I contacted Permantex asking what would clean or dissolve the 80050 gunk but they were worthless.

I've never flushed fuel tanks before. I'm hoping the sludge is hung up in the petcock filter and not in the CV carb. I've read that I should use MEK or Murtic Acid or Seafoam.

Do any of you have some insight you'd be willing to share ? Having a tough time figuring out which way to go. Thanks.

 

Pull the tanks off.

Remove the petcock and examine the strainer.

Since you aren't dealing with rust in the tank, I would stay away from any kind of acid, as that could cause you additional headache.

I would think it is just a matter of washing the bad stuff out instead of dissolving it. If you put something too strong in there and your tank has a coating inside, that coating can start to come out which is a pain the *** to deal with.

Wash it out with diesel or kerosene, something like that. Make sure to protect the painted surfaces.

Put a new screen on your petcock, or better yet, put a new petcock on if it is the original since it is off anyway.

Carburetor should be ok if the screen did its job and the silicon didn't break down into too small of particles.

Put it back together and try it out, If it runs bad, then you you need to clean the carburetor out. I like to use Berryman B12 carburetor cleaner. Wear gloves and work outside or in a well ventilated area.

 

Isopropyl alcohol and patience would work extremely well either the wipes (for the threads) or in fluid form with a fine brush (for the filter). Filter screen replacement as mentioned is the best option. MEK has been banned over here due to it's carcinogenic properties but that would undoubtedly damage the paint if it came into contact.

 

Like Prot said

I would nothing but gas to flush the tank

 

I used some silicone sealer on a fuel level sending unit on our jet boat. The gasket had been omitted from the package.

Setting in the middle of Lake Brownwood in Texas with a plugged supply line to the motor made for a bad day.

There are sealers that are made to be submerged and have contact with gas and such just have to dig some to know which.

The name escapes me right now though,

WP

 

You can rinse out the tanks with white vinegar, let it set for several hours or over night if the goo is persistent. Nice slow acid that gets the job done without killing you or your tank liner. Agree with other comments, rinse first to see if the issue was isolated to the tank before messing with the carb. GOOD LUCK.

 

ask you're mechanic or you're friends if they have a bore a scope or go to home depot and buy a camera with the fexible head , i have one and use it to look into walls for leaks milwauke has the for $90 great tool

 

Was going to replace fuel valve since I found a small hole in upper portion of filter screen. Researching prices on stock prices on Ronnies showed it would cost $79 to $89. Since previous owner had put on a Pingel PowerFlow High Volume Petock I contacted Pingel. They told me they would rebuild it and replace the screen for $18.00. The eighteen dollars also took care of the return postage. I sent it out on Monday of last week. They got it on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. On Monday the rebuilt petcock was in my mil box. I'm impressed.