Stopcocks control air and fluid flow in a vehicle’s engine and coolant systems. Fuel cocks control fuel flow in gravity-fed systems, while refrigerant system valves have a threaded and plain end. Broken valves are difficult to remove and require expensive repairs. Worn valves must be replaced.
A stopcock is a valve used to control the flow of air and fluid through the vehicle’s engine and coolant systems. The valve type and valve design differ depending on the application. Some types of valves are installed within a fuel system to control the flow of gas between a fuel tank and a carburetor. Another type of faucet is installed on a tank or radiator to allow a drain point for the vehicle’s cooling system. Both types of valves operate using the same principles, although they differ in design.
Fuel cocks are installed in an accessible location on a gravity-fed fuel system. Gravity-fed fuel systems do not use fuel pumps, and these taps have three positions. The positions determine the flow of the fuel through the system. When the petcock is in the “closed” position, fuel will not flow to the engine’s carburetor, and when the petcock is “full” the fuel line will remain fully open. A last position on most fuel cocks changes the flow of fuel from a primary fuel tank to an auxiliary fuel tank.
Valves in the refrigerant system have a threaded and a plain end. The end of the threaded valve is secured in a hole located at the lowest point of the refrigerant tank. When the valve opens, refrigerant flows from the tank. These types of faucets are often made of plastic or nylon with a brass handle. Over time, the components of refrigerant-type faucets corrode, causing the valve to break rather than open.
Broken valves become difficult to remove without damaging the coolant reservoir. The process of removing a broken valve will vary depending on the type of valve and the construction of the coolant tank or radiator. Improper removal of a broken faucet will break threads cut into the threaded mounting hole in the bottom of the tank or cut a piece of the faucet in the tank body. Either situation results in an expensive repair to replace both components of the refrigeration system.
Even a non-broken valve will require replacement after years of exposure to coolants and fuels. The small size of a stopcock does not allow the valve to be rebuilt like the larger valve types. Signs of a worn fuel petcock include fuel leaking from the valve section located below the valve stem or fuel leaking from any part of the valve body. Worn radiator taps leak coolant from the center opening in the smooth end of the tap body.
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