Petcock Issue

Kind of drawing a blank on which way to go here.  One of the brass outlet tubes came out of the petcock on my '77 KZ1000 when I pulled the gas hose off to replace the filter.  Anyone had this happen to you and if so what was the "best" fix?  Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Rick H.

Just press it back in. The last time that happened to me, I roughed up the surface of the part of the tube that goes inside the casting. As I recall, I used some coarse sand paper, just enough the roughen the surface a little.

LOCTITE® 638

A little smear of JB Weld - if you have some handy - will work. And still works/working at least 10 years later

I used Permatex Liquid Metal: it comes in a tube, no mixing, and is fuel proof. Just a light smear on the outside of the nipple then press it into place.  I also repaired a leak on a low fuel switch at the rivet where the wire goes in. 

Another gasoline resistant product is Seal-All, mentioned here on KZR, but I've never used. Some hardware stores carry it.

Thanks again for the replies.  I did come across something called Vicpricme Metal Welding Glue.  It's a two part glue that you mix and use per the directions.  They had a video of the stuff showing two joined parts placed in boiling water and then gasoline.  The parts did not separate.  So I ordered some along with some Loctite 638.  I'll run a test with both and see what happens.  The problem for me is none of the local hardware stores or auto supply places have anything but normal everyday red and blue Loctite/Permatex products.  Anything else that I desire and I have to order off the web.  Kind of a bummer.

Rick H.

Rick,
Loctite Red 263 might be easier to find.  It's also permanent (must be heated to 500 deg to remove) and is oil resistant.

Scotty

Thanks Scott.  I will see if that's available close by.

Rick H.

Are there any industrial supply stores in your area?  The type that sell stuff to local machine shops and similar?  Those type places sell different types of Loctite.  

Okay, just to close this thread out I thought I would mention what I used for this problem petcock pipe.  I tried Loctite 638, but it just didn't hold very well.  After a little investigation I found a substance called Vicpricme Welding Glue on Amazon.  It's a two part epoxy glue shipped in a dual syringe.  I watched a video showing how it is used and the results afterwards.  It seemed pretty good, but I am never sure buying anything from China where this stuff originates.  I took a chance and plunked down the $10.00 for it.  It arrived from Amazon in just a couple of days.  As soon as I received it I opened the box and read the skimpy directions and mixed some up (50/50) and let it cure on a paper plate.  The stuff dried hard as a rock and I was hopeful.  I then grabbed the petcock tube and cleaned, sanded and de-greased it and cleaned the petcock opening.  I mixed up a new batch of glue and "carefully" applied it to the tube making sure none of the glue got inside the tube.  I installed the tube carefully and built a bead of glue around the juncture of the tube and petcock.  The tube was well seated.  The wait began.  They say wait 24 hours for a good set, but I waited 48 hours.

After the waiting period I was unable to pull the tube out of the petcock.  I placed the gas tank back on my bike and connected the hoses and such.  It's a tedious job with the gas filters I use but it works.  Did I mention I hate small spring clamps.  I went out for a ride and viola, no leaks.  Now several days later I still have no leaks and I hope it stays that way.  I have included a picture of the glue that I slopped on the heads of two bolts and let dry.  You can see the glue kind of squeezed out between the two bolt heads.  I cannot separate these bolts by hand, they are held very tight together.  I have seen something similar to this glue before someplace, but I can't recall where.  Perhaps in motor vehicle body joints or something.  Anyway this stuff sure seems to work pretty darn good.  If you are looking for something to glue two different metals together or even the same metal, you may want to give this stuff a try.  Thanks for the suggestions but his stuff really works.

Rick H.