Motorcycle Repair: Very general asian bike question, vacuum leak, petcock

Question
Is it possible for one or both of the fuel nipples off the petcock or into the carb to cause a vacuum leak? I went through carbs and petcock but during the fuel line removal one nipple pulled from the petcock as well as from the carb. I tapped them back in and they don't leak but should I have sealed them with something? I have simptoms of a vacuum leak- erratic idle that rises and fluxuates then sometimes drops then just dies.

Answer
Hi Evan,

I have had the nipples come off in the past, i will push them in by hand then with a small piece of wood tap them in slightly, however if they dont leak, not to worry. Try taking a can of carb cleaner and very lightly spray onto the engine side of the carb boots. If the idle raises or the engine dies, theres your vaccum leak. Also make sure the nipples on the carb boots vaccum plugs are secure and not able to leak.

Hope this helps!

~Mark D. Panka