1982 KZ1000 Petcock Question

My 1982 KZ1000 fuel petcock began leaking like a sieve during a ride the other day. It was OK when in the "On" or "Reserve" position without the engine running, but start the motor or put in on "Prime" and it was a gully washer. The leak appeared to be coming from the seals around the diaphram or the plastic spacer. Anyway, yesterday I took the tank off and began draining the tank (on "Prime") to rebuild the tap. Not a drop from the area that was leaking when everything was connected. Would that be normal due to pressure within the system (when connected) or do I have some other (carb) problem? Thanks.

On a vacuum petcock the diaphram seals itself (and fuel flow) when there is no vacuum (engine off) When the engine is started and petcock in "on" or "reserve" posistion, vacuum pulls on the diaphram and allows fuel to flow. There is a hole in your diaphram which is allowing fuel to leak out of the weep hole in the plastic spacer. If you were to look closely at the petcock while it's running you would have seen a fine mist of fuel pumping out from diaphram with each vacuum pulse. A new diaphram should take care of your problem. Be careful handeling the thin diaphram when installing... Let us know

Thank you BlueMeanie!

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