petrol tap - unblocking ?

[Barney Rubble]

I applied heat to the gauze. This both burnt off whatever was clogging the gauze & burnt off the soft solder. So was able to part the gauze at the previously crimped & soldered end and insert  a bicycle spoke. No cork found but sticky gum removed.

Tap seems now to be unclogged.......but need to re-seal the end. Is there a petrol proof glue I can dip it in  ( araldite ?)or do I need 'soft solder'   ( I have electrical solder- will that do ?...)

Also how do replacement corks attach to my Ewarts plunger...does the brass centre pin unscrew ? ( I had a tentative check but didn't want risk breaking it)

Electricl solder will do, if your iron and soldering methods are up to it, lol. I think it will need a large iron output, maybe an old 500w one. Or if you use plain solder and a flux, like Bakes fluid, this flux is acidic, and will need careful washing off afterwards. i used to use a 500w iron and Bakers for cable nipple soldering.
However electircal is fine as long as it is hot enough to penetrate.

[JulianS]

Soldering is best but keep the direct heat off the mesh.

The petrol tap plungers are usually rivetted together, though some of the early ones were screwed together.

You can carefully drive the rivetted bit through, replace the cork and  carefully re rivet it, or you could buy a complete replacement plunger. Quality of new parts can disappoint though.