cork plunger taps

[richard.harvey]

can anyone tell me how to handle cork plunger taps? Do I soak cork in water before fitting to tank?

[keith.hodgenia]

Soaking in petrol would be best. It can take a few days upward.

[nevhunter]

I always have trouble when I leave them turned off. They shrink a lot then. Had trouble over the weekend on a rally on the W/NG. It probably has the original ones in it. Anyhow they were sticking and leaking, and I fixed them by cleaning them and fitting them into an unworn body, with a small amount of good grease on them and have as good a result as I ever had. I hate the bloody things. If anyone has any idea how to replace the corks and repair them I would appreciate it. I think you would have to sleeve the body. I would think tinning a brass sleeve in would be a good start. It's easy to drill out the two holes if you remove the strainer gauze. Nev

[nevhunter]

I always have trouble when I leave them turned off. They shrink a lot then. Had trouble over the weekend on a rally on the W/NG. It probably has the original ones in it. Anyhow they were sticking and leaking, and I fixed them by cleaning them and fitting them into an unworn body, with a small amount of good grease on them and have as good a result as I ever had. I hate the bloody things. If anyone has any idea how to replace the corks and repair them I would appreciate it. I think you would have to sleeve the body. I would think tinning a brass sleeve in would be a good start. It's easy to drill out the two holes if you remove the strainer gauze. Nev

[Dave.Barkshire]

The corks that are sold at the jumbles are in my experience absolute rubbish. They work for a short while and then they shrink and leak. If you have to boil/soak etc to keep the cork puffed up then it is made from the wrong material and is probably cut to the wrong size. Wine corks are sometimes made from real cork and sometimes from a composite but the real cork stoppers are often high quality. Champagne corks are often the best, so now you have an excuse to drink champagne.

It's so easy to make them from wine bottle corks. The cork I made for my NH about 12 years ago feels brand new and has never leaked a drop.

I did write it up in the AOMCC knowledgebase a while back. If you'd like to read it, go to the knowledgebase and do a search on....
Making Petrol Tap Corks

You might be able to go directly there using this link if you are already logged in...
http://www.arielownersmcc.com/members ... spx?id=468

[BarryHilton]

Try 'Seagull' outboard motor tap corks, ready made, work well!
Cheers, BMJ

[nevhunter]

Thanks guys. Nev

[chris.shearwood]

A couple of years ago I had removed the fuel line from one of my bikes and noticed the tap had a slow leak - a drop of gasoline every few minutes. The corks had been in the tap for many years but instead of replacing them with new ones I decided to follow the advice given by Dennis Hern in one of his Technical Tips found on Page 20 of the August 2009 Cheval. The procedure involves the use of hot water and melted candle wax and worked extremely well for me. I think even brand new corks would benefit from the procedure.

[nevhunter]

The "reserve" tap is still seeping a small amount. I managed to get a NOS packet of good corks by WASSELL that look top quality made for the job. I'm a bit reluctant to put anything like candle wax on the cork as there are some fine holes in the carb. A smear of grease will do, wiped . I usually put a small amount of outboard oil in the fuel. About 1/2 an egg cup to a tank Helps oil the carb slide and stop the tank rusting? (Even a bit). Nev

[nevhunter]

the Wassell corks are good. I will have to get more. Surprised how much larger they are than the bore of the tap body, but they insert OK..Just been for a ride with the boss tonight.Test ride for the upcoming Australian Ariel Register run in just under 2 weeks. Nev