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Message started by youzguyz on 12/22/11 at 16:36:45

Title: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by youzguyz on 12/22/11 at 16:36:45

Just got done replacing the cam chain on my 2002. 80,000 miles.
Also:
Adjusted valves (of course)
Replaced spark plug (with exact same kind (iridium)).
New muffler on, but same kind that came off (Sportster)). (The original muffler and header went on my other bike when it blew out the baffles)

Seems to run OK (haven't really taken it out yet, just a turn around the block), but the header is getting VERY hot when idling. Smoking, turning blue.

I did not change the jets or even touch the carb.

Now, call me a newb if you must, but is the extreme hot a condition of too rich or too lean or something else?

I would kind of like to correct this before I put the bike back in service!

Suggestions and things to look for and try would be appreciated!

Thank!!

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by built2last66 on 12/22/11 at 16:44:53

I'm just throwing this out there for you to think about, since it throws up a red flag for me... the valves (my first guess) or new cam chain (or both) aren't adjusted correctly... but that should be a given anyway..

By header you mean the header pipe right?

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by Serowbot on 12/22/11 at 16:59:31

If it seems to be running okay,.. I'd say it's just the added backpressure from the not leaky muffler, holding the heat in the pipe longer...
Mine's blue too... I like it.. :-?...

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by verslagen1 on 12/22/11 at 17:11:14

since you said it were smokin', most likely you got a little oil on it. that will turn it blue.

but also, depending on the muff, it could be lean.
backfire on shutoff? If it's not, then no worries for now.

and sitting around and idling for awhile is enough to get it pretty hot.

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by youzguyz on 12/22/11 at 18:35:08

built2last66: Yes, header pipe. Checked cam installation and valve adjustment multiple times. Bike runs too good to be off enough to cause that heat. I'll take it out on the road tomorrow to check performance.

Serowbot: Been running sporty mufflers on this bike since I got it with 3800 miles. This is the 4th one (I think).

Verslagen: Oil is possible, as I didn't bother cleaning it up real good when I put it back on.
No backfire on shutoff.
I wonder if running with the "choke" out a notch would simulate going rich to see if that changes the amount of heat it is putting out?

Keep those cards and letters coming!

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by Routy on 12/23/11 at 05:04:43

As was said, if it is running good, it is nearly impossible for anything to be off enough to cause an overheating problem.
If an engine is running lean enough at idle to cause any problem, it won't idle....period.
I'm betting you have handled the header pipe w/ hands that were not so free of oil and grease, and that is all it takes to smell, smoke and turn colorish.

Along the same line,...I just traveled 1200 miles,....Oregon to Arizona, towing my Jeep Liberty, and when I first started it here, it smoked and smelled like oil burning underneath ! Come to find out, it was,........all the oily road fillm that had collected on the exhaust. First time towing for me,.....next time I'll expect it !

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by spacepirates on 12/23/11 at 06:26:19

If you were *really* concerned, you could go out and buy an infrared thermometer (the kind you point at what you want to measure) and read the temperature of the head/jug (not the header).

There was an oil-war thread a while back that had head/jug/crankcase temperatures corresponding with different oils and ambient temps.

Though like other's here have said, blueing (or golding) of the header happens pretty frequently. My header and jardine exhaust is so blue it almost looks blacked out entirely.

Also, i don't think i'd let the bike idle more than a few (10-15 maybe?) minutes without having cool air blow over it (fan, still breeze outside..), but that might be me being more paranoid than i have to be.

Title: Re: Header very hot after cam chain replace
Post by Mattdw on 12/23/11 at 09:41:57

555A405B47415250585641330 wrote:

towing my Jeep Liberty, and ...

Towing your Jeep Liberty...that's one hell of a bike. I knew these had some torque, but I never would have thought... ;)