79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem

I've read your description about what you perceive as a problem but don't
see where it's doing anything it shouldn't be doing. If your tank is full
and you turn the valve to "On" you should have free flow fuel at all times.
If your tank is full and you have the engine Off, you will have no fuel flow
in "Pri" and "Res". When you start the engine with the tank full, you will
have fuel flow from "Pri" and "Res". When your out riding and the fuel goes
below the "Pri" and your engine starts to buck, switch it to "Res" and look
for gas real quick. If you have it turned to "On" while your riding and
your engine starts to buck, you'll have to get off and start pushing because
you've used everything there was in there.
Mr Ed

"Robert Banks" <RBANKS5.RemoveThis@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:fOX9c.88371$8G2.38237@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
 > It appears that I have a problem with the petcocks on both sides of the
 > tank. Both of them let fuel flow in both the on and reserve positions.
 > According to the manual this should not happen. When I torn them to the
on
 > position the fuel fills up everything and starts leaking out the bottom of
 > the air filter box. This happens without starting the bike. I just
rebuilt
 > both the petcocks and replaced the diaphragm for the vacuum but it still
 > does the same thing.
 >
 > Please help and thanks in advance.
 > Bob
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

Sorry
Try <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.xs11.com" target="_blank">www.xs11.com</a> instead.

"rD" <rdodgecj RemoveThis @transedge.com> wrote in message
news:106gs307o10gr6b@corp.supernews.com...
 > Robert
 >
 > Check <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.xs1100.com" target="_blank">www.xs1100.com</a> site for info. It doesn't cost anything to join, and
a
 > wealth of info from XS1100 owners.
 >
 >
 > "Robert Banks" <RBANKS5 RemoveThis @columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
 > news:fOX9c.88371$8G2.38237@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
  > > It appears that I have a problem with the petcocks on both sides of the
  > > tank. Both of them let fuel flow in both the on and reserve positions.
  > > According to the manual this should not happen. When I torn them to the
 > on
  > > position the fuel fills up everything and starts leaking out the bottom
of
  > > the air filter box. This happens without starting the bike. I just
 > rebuilt
  > > both the petcocks and replaced the diaphragm for the vacuum but it still
  > > does the same thing.
  > >
  > > Please help and thanks in advance.
  > > Bob
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

 >
 >"Robert Banks" <RBANKS5.DeleteThis@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
 >news:fOX9c.88371$8G2.38237@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
  >> It appears that I have a problem with the petcocks on both sides of the
  >> tank. Both of them let fuel flow in both the on and reserve positions.
  >> According to the manual this should not happen. When I torn them to the
 >on
  >> position the fuel fills up everything and starts leaking out the bottom of
  >> the air filter box. This happens without starting the bike. I just
 >rebuilt
  >> both the petcocks and replaced the diaphragm for the vacuum but it still
  >> does the same thing.
  >>
  >> Please help and thanks in advance.
  >> Bob
  >>
  >>
 >
 >
do you have two lines fro each petcock to the carb? if so,
then you do havew a problem. the small line is a vacum line
to the petcock that opens on compression to let fuel in
during the normal running. if this line is missing or the
diaphram is bad, you will get fuel from the normal open
postition. you always get fuel on res or prime.
you need to get a couple of petcock rebuild kits. they are
easy to install. but let me know if you have 2 lines on
each.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 15:57:57 -0500, "Mr Ed" <myprivacy.RemoveThis@isimportant.ca>
wrote:

 >I've read your description about what you perceive as a problem but don't
 >see where it's doing anything it shouldn't be doing. If your tank is full
 >and you turn the valve to "On" you should have free flow fuel at all times.

  Ummm, no. The fuel should only flow when the engine is
producing a vacuum.


Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.darkroompro.com" target="_blank">http://www.darkroompro.com</a>
Please remove the "_" when replying via email<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 16:04:27 GMT, "Robert Banks"
<RBANKS5.DeleteThis@columbus.rr.com> wrote:

 >It appears that I have a problem with the petcocks on both sides of the
 >tank. Both of them let fuel flow in both the on and reserve positions.
 >According to the manual this should not happen. When I torn them to the on
 >position the fuel fills up everything and starts leaking out the bottom of
 >the air filter box. This happens without starting the bike. I just rebuilt
 >both the petcocks and replaced the diaphragm for the vacuum but it still
 >does the same thing.
 >
 >Please help and thanks in advance.
 >Bob

  Just get replacement petcocks. This is a "known issue" with
the XS'es. Buy them at ;

  http://www.mikesxs.com/mikesxs-page07.htm

  FWIW, there are two states of XS'es. Those that have had this
problem and those that will.


Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.darkroompro.com" target="_blank">http://www.darkroompro.com</a>
Please remove the "_" when replying via email<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

Yes the lines are hooked up properly, I've checked and double checked...I
just rebuilt them. Possibly a weak diaphragm spring? I also heard it may
be stuck floats. When I bought the bike it ran fine, I simply fueled it up,
took it home ( just a few miles away ) and parked it. I came out 10 minutes
later to find it in a pool of gasoline. I thought it was just a petcock
rebuild away but apparently not.

Bob

"e" <tooftoof DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:uM3ac.11985358$Of.2003190@news.easynews.com...
 >
 >
  > >
  > >"Robert Banks" <RBANKS5 DeleteThis @columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
  > >news:fOX9c.88371$8G2.38237@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
   > >> It appears that I have a problem with the petcocks on both sides of the
   > >> tank. Both of them let fuel flow in both the on and reserve positions.
   > >> According to the manual this should not happen. When I torn them to
the
  > >on
   > >> position the fuel fills up everything and starts leaking out the bottom
of
   > >> the air filter box. This happens without starting the bike. I just
  > >rebuilt
   > >> both the petcocks and replaced the diaphragm for the vacuum but it
still
   > >> does the same thing.
   > >>
   > >> Please help and thanks in advance.
   > >> Bob
   > >>
   > >>
  > >
  > >
 > do you have two lines fro each petcock to the carb? if so,
 > then you do havew a problem. the small line is a vacum line
 > to the petcock that opens on compression to let fuel in
 > during the normal running. if this line is missing or the
 > diaphram is bad, you will get fuel from the normal open
 > postition. you always get fuel on res or prime.
 > you need to get a couple of petcock rebuild kits. they are
 > easy to install. but let me know if you have 2 lines on
 > each.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

 >
 >Yes the lines are hooked up properly, I've checked and double checked...I
 >just rebuilt them. Possibly a weak diaphragm spring? I also heard it may
 >be stuck floats. When I bought the bike it ran fine, I simply fueled it up,
 >took it home ( just a few miles away ) and parked it. I came out 10 minutes
 >later to find it in a pool of gasoline. I thought it was just a petcock
 >rebuild away but apparently not.
 >
 >Bob
 >
don't top post...it screws up long threads.
possibly weak springs, but did you pull the float bowl
covers? only one needs to stick to make the mess. but
happening with the motor off sounds more like petcocks.
you can retension the springs by pulling the apart and
restretching.
did you check the vac hoses for any minute cracks, check the
seals on the pipes? you only need one bad.
try turning the gas on without running the bike and see if
you can tell where/which side the leak is occuring.
you have 3 position? run/prime/res?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

Vacuum is needed for the fuel to flow in the "Pri" and "Res" positions, not
the "On" position.
"John" <use_net DeleteThis @darkroompro.com> wrote in message
news:s0fi6012s0gjcb2801fd8fd8bm5l7i9tqv@4ax.com...
 > On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 15:57:57 -0500, "Mr Ed" <myprivacy DeleteThis @isimportant.ca>
 > wrote:
 >
  > >I've read your description about what you perceive as a problem but don't
  > >see where it's doing anything it shouldn't be doing. If your tank is
full
  > >and you turn the valve to "On" you should have free flow fuel at all
times.
 >
 > Ummm, no. The fuel should only flow when the engine is
 > producing a vacuum.
 >
 >
 > Regards,
 >
<font color=purple> > John S. Douglas, Photographer - <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.darkroompro.com</font" target="_blank">http://www.darkroompro.com</font</a>>
 > Please remove the "_" when replying via email<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

 >
 >Vacuum is needed for the fuel to flow in the "Pri" and "Res" positions, not
 >the "On" position.
wrong.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Please educate me as I intend to buy a new V-Star
Silverado this spring and I believe it will have that type of petcock on it.
I had a Virago for about 14 years and I was positive it worked the way I
stated....... Perhaps it was broken for 14 years.... )
Mr Ed

"e" <tooftoof.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:6aiac.12041618$Of.2013501@news.easynews.com...
 >
  > >
  > >Vacuum is needed for the fuel to flow in the "Pri" and "Res" positions,
not
  > >the "On" position.
 > wrong.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

That is not exactly tru. The petcocks will allow fuel to flow in both
positions. There are two small tubes that go into the tank, one is about
0.5" longer than the other. In the "normal" position of the petcock, fuel
flows through the longer of these tubes. when the fuel level drops below the
level of this tube, you run out of gas. Set the petcock to the Reserve
position, and fuel will flow through the shorter tube while you search for a
gas station.

When you shut the motor off, the vacuum (or, more precisely, the lack of it)
should halt the fuel flow through the petcock in either position.

You did something wrong.




"Robert Banks" <RBANKS5.DeleteThis@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:fOX9c.88371$8G2.38237@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
 > It appears that I have a problem with the petcocks on both sides of the
 > tank. Both of them let fuel flow in both the on and reserve positions.
 > According to the manual this should not happen. When I torn them to the
on
 > position the fuel fills up everything and starts leaking out the bottom of
 > the air filter box. This happens without starting the bike. I just
rebuilt
 > both the petcocks and replaced the diaphragm for the vacuum but it still
 > does the same thing.
 >
 > Please help and thanks in advance.
 > Bob
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

 >That is not exactly tru. The petcocks will allow fuel to flow in both
 >positions. There are two small tubes that go into the tank, one is about
 >0.5" longer than the other. In the "normal" position of the petcock, fuel
 >flows through the longer of these tubes. when the fuel level drops below the
 >level of this tube, you run out of gas. Set the petcock to the Reserve
 >position, and fuel will flow through the shorter tube while you search for a
 >gas station.
 >
 >When you shut the motor off, the vacuum (or, more precisely, the lack of it)
 >should halt the fuel flow through the petcock in either position.
 >
 >You did something wrong.
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >reading the carb part of the manual suggests you don't know what you're talking about. gas is never in the small tube. it is strictly an air
(vacum) line. adn only on pri should the gas flow freely.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem 

"e" <tooftoof.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:8xtbc.1351287$iA2.160693@news.easynews.com...
 >
  > >That is not exactly tru. The petcocks will allow fuel to flow in both
  > >positions. There are two small tubes that go into the tank, one is about
  > >0.5" longer than the other. In the "normal" position of the petcock, fuel
  > >flows through the longer of these tubes. when the fuel level drops below
the
  > >level of this tube, you run out of gas. Set the petcock to the Reserve
  > >position, and fuel will flow through the shorter tube while you search
for a
  > >gas station.
  > >
  > >When you shut the motor off, the vacuum (or, more precisely, the lack of
it)
  > >should halt the fuel flow through the petcock in either position.
  > >
  > >You did something wrong.
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >reading the carb part of the manual suggests you don't know what you're
talking about. gas is never in the small tube. it is strictly an air
 > (vacum) line. adn only on pri should the gas flow freely.


Sorry, perhaps I did not describe it clearly. The difference in the RES
setting and the ON setting is that the ON setting is exposed to air (or no
gas, depending upon your preference) sooner than the RES setting. There is
no purpose to sending the vacuum or air to the gas tank. The fuel petcocks
are designed to send gas from the tank to the carbs. The vacuum feed to the
petcocks is there to stop fuel flow when the motor is not running, making it
so the operator does not have to set the petcock to OFF. On my XS11, the vac
line went to a diaphram in the petcock, and the petcock had two tubes that
went into the tank. The longer tube was to suck gas during the ON setting,
and the short tube was used to suck gas in the RES setting. The PRI setting
bypassed the diaphram and allowed fuel to flow while the motor was off. The
PRI setting was handy when one uses the RES setting for too long and sucks
all of the gas out of the tank and ends up hiking to the next closest gas
station.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 79 XS 1100 special-fuel problem