Stuck fuel cock on 89 Venture

[mgdawson]

Hi....just bought a 1989 Venture and I have a fuel cock that won't budge. Any Ideas?

[BlueSky]

The fuel petcock on my 89 is so stiff that I have to use pliers to turn it. From what I have seen on this site, that may be typical.

[videoarizona]

Just leave it on reserve and don't worry.

The tank is below the carbs so a leaky float won't hurt the engine.

[saddlebum]

My 89 has been stuck on reserve since 2006 and I have had no issues with running it that way. To free it up you pretty much have to remove it so I just left well enough alone. I make sure to store with a full tank of fuel and a bottle of sea foam in the winter and come spring I just fire up and go.

[Jayceesfolly]

 

Ben said it all.

[Bob K.]

Three options:

 

 

1. If it's on "On" or "Res", just leave it if you don't think you need access to the other two settings.
   
2. Take the faceplate off (two screws), pull it all out and see if you can clean it up & lubricate the seals. Be advised that doing this might result in damage to the seals or leaking upon reassembly. That's what happened with mine.
   
3. Buy replacement parts and rebuild it. I think it cost me about $6 to $10 in parts and shipping.
   

[Flyinfool]

You have a gas gauge, you do not need a reserve unless you never look at your dash. Just get it to reserve and forget it is even there.

[kansa737]

I was in the same situation with my 93 earlier this year and used a pair of pliers to turn it. It immediately started spewing gas out of the petcock

i just put a rebuild kit in it and left it on reserve.

[RDawson]

Had the 86 for 10 years and have never touched the petcock.

The other Dawson

[uhfradarwill]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Thanks seems to be the consensus.

[saddlebum]

You have a gas gauge, you do not need a reserve unless you never look at your dash. Just get it to reserve and forget it is even there.

If I feel I need to have reserve fuel I carry a I liter fuel bottle Like the ones MSR, Primus and Optimus make for back packing stoves. Primus and MSR are red The optimus one is green. The MSR bottle is a little thicker walled than the Primus. If you do go for that option do not fill above the fill line as gasoline expands alot with temp increase and therefore needs air space to accommodate this expansion otherwise the cap may fail.

[Pasta Burner]

Nothing to add. Just again thanking this forum for answering questions on my newly bought 87 VR. Planning my first “long ride” SLC to Denver late June for work if the pandemic allows. Why fly if I can stay healthy and ride.