Fuel shut-off question

[Ron Lowe]

I put a new shut-off on my car about 5 years ago. It's always worked and easy to turn until this last month. It has become very hard to turn and getting worse. It doesn't leak a drop. Any ideas how to make it turn easy again would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ron

[joltesvig]

I'm a neophite but I'll describe my experience. The Barn suggested that my 31 Coupe would not run because there might be "junk" in the shut-off valve. I took it out and, sure enough, it had become completely plugged-up with gunk. I had removed the handle from the valve (not knowing that is not necessary to clean anything out) and removed the packing nut (also unnecessarily). Recognizing my mistake, I put the nut and handle back together. I installed the valve back in the car and, voila, the car ran beautifully. However the handle, which was easy to turn before, was now hard to turn. I think I got the packing nut too tight. Maybe your valve packing nut has moved and caused the handle to become hard to turn. Well, again, I'm a neophite, so check it out, that could be the problem. The good news is that you should be able to make the nut adjustment right in the car. I had to drain all the fuel out of the tank in order to clean the gunk out.

[Clem Clement]

Work it back and forth a few times. The E10 gas tends to leave goo in the valve.
clem

[Ron Lowe]

I've worked that crazy handle back and forth a bunch, but thanks. I;m going to the garage now to check that packing nut. Thanks, and I'll post the results. Ron

[Ron Lowe]

If I loosen that packing nut a little will it create a leak? Ron

[Benson]

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When a shutoff valve suddenly gets hard to turn, after years of good service, the most likely cause is rust from tank has gotten into the valve and is binding it up. If you leave the rust in the valve pretty soon the brass valve is scored so badly that it leaks ... then it is time for a new valve!

Best to take the valve apart, clean out rust and install a "finger filter" in the shutoff valve inlet to prevent it from happening again. It might help to flush the tank if you find alot of rust is inside.

Bert's has the finger filters: www.modelastore.com for hours and etc
1-800-321-1931


Sometimes the brand new valves will be hard to turn, even with no rust, until they "break in". The finger filter will keep the rust out.

[V4F]

yes rust . i agree . had the same thing . run the fuel down & change it ...........

[cars56]

Hi Ron
Had the same issue here, change it, don't mess with it, dangerous. Bought new one from Snyder's
tip: don't use teflon on the threads, fuel melts it
Add a new filter to the gas shut off valve, inside the tank