Sediment petcock leaking
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 78
- Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
- First Name: Lucas
- Last Name: Milatti
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
- Location: Saint cloud FL
- Board Member Since: 2025
Sediment petcock leaking
I replaced my sediment Bowl and I reused the old petcock after clearing the blockage on the top of it and the petcock is leaking not from the threads but the actual valve part, the spinning part. how might I be able to fix this? I did though disassemble the petcock valve to clean and uninstall and reinstall it but there was no gasket or anything.
-
Topic author - Posts: 78
- Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:41 pm
- First Name: Lucas
- Last Name: Milatti
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Model T Touring
- Location: Saint cloud FL
- Board Member Since: 2025
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Might I add that it also only leaks when the sediment bowl valve is open when I shut the fuel off it quits leaking mind you there's still fuel because if I open the sediment drain valve fuel comes out of the bottom. So it seems it only leaks under a light pressure.
-
- Posts: 2243
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
A common problem. You could try lapping the valve with a fine abrasive (rubbing compound, etc. - google it) - it didn't work for me so I bought a new petcock. An alternative is to remove the valve and replace it with a brass pipe plug. Not original but it does the job. Normal procedure calls for turning the fuel valve off before draining the sediment bulb. With a plug you can turn the fuel off and remove the plug to drain the bowl - more efficient anyway.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 1055
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Johnson
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Lap the shut-off valve as previously mentioned and then lubricate it with bar soap.
-
- Posts: 7391
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Ivory bar soap.
-
- Posts: 1854
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:57 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Tannehill
- Location: Hot Coffee, MS
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Do not be aggressive with lapping or you’ll screw the pooch & create a bigger leak on & off.
-
- Posts: 4725
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Use tooth paste. I found you can go to far with 400 grit lapping compound.
-
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
There is an aircraft product called “EZ Turn” that is fuel resistant, meant to lubricate the turning parts of fuel line valves and petcocks. It will stop minor leaks and seepage.
Get a horse !
-
- Posts: 5170
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
I also use EZTurn BUT be careful to use it sparingly - it will block the orifice !
-
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Well said Steve !! “A little dab ‘ll do ya !”
Apply a thin film to the “cone” make sure none gets in the orifice of the valve. It keeps the moving part from seizing, and will stop a minor leak. Three years now, mine turn easily and don’t seep.
Get a horse !
-
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
- First Name: craig
- Last Name: leach
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
- Location: Laveen Az
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
Hi Lucas,
I use timesaver to lap the valve & for lubricant I picked up a can of G-363 military grade plug valve grease. I believe EZ-Turn is the same spec.
Craig.
I use timesaver to lap the valve & for lubricant I picked up a can of G-363 military grade plug valve grease. I believe EZ-Turn is the same spec.
Craig.
-
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:42 pm
- First Name: Noel
- Last Name: Chicoine
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1920 roadster, 1923 Touring, 1926 Coupe
- Location: Pierre, South Dakota
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
I've lapped several similar fuel valves with timesaver then used EZ turn. They don't leak and turn well. Unfortunately, it only comes in a large 5 oz tube that will take me 5 lifetimes to use. I plan on getting some small bottles (prescription bottles?) and give it to friends on tour. 

-
- Posts: 5170
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
I've done the same Noel - more in a tube than I'll ever use !
-
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
- First Name: craig
- Last Name: leach
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
- Location: Laveen Az
Re: Sediment petcock leaking
I picked up this @ a swap meet it's about 1/3 full I will never use it all up but don't know anyone that repairs valves other than me.
Craig.