Gas left on. Can it get into engine?

[Joe]

Sooooooo, yesterday I find I left the petcock on and lost about a half gallon that looks like dripped down from a loose petcock connection thence to my garage floor. Got me to thinking what happens if the float valve doesn’t seal ? Can it get into the engine cases ? Should I drain mine ? Happened to me once on a Yamaha 650 when the vacuum actuated petcock let loose and gas got in the cases.

[OldSwartout]

It could only get into the crankcase, not the transmission. If you were concerned about it (possible hydraulic lock causing damage to the piston/rod), you could pull the plugs and kick it over rapidly a few times (with the ignition off). Any excess fuel in the crankcase would blow out the plug holes or into the exhaust.  You would want to let everything dry off before trying to start it.

[Joe]

Thanks !