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► Modify message ( Re: Exhaust Pipe Melts/Deforms Plastic Side Cover )

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I'm pretty sure that looks like a cat.  I'm not a bike mechanic, but 1) I can't see any other reason to have a big "goat bladder" thingy like that unless it IS a cat.  and 2) that disk in the center looks just like the converter material in many cars.  We have an auto repair shop and I've seen dozens of them.

The way a catalytic converter works is the catalyst causes unburnt fuel that is left in the exhaust to get burned up.   That is why the cat converter on anything runs real hot.  When there is a mis-fire (a cylinder not firing - thus not burning the fuel that is injected in it) or if an engine is running rich for any reason, all the extra fuel goes to the catalytic converter, and it will burn as much as can be burned based on it's capacity.  It can get bad enough to melt the catalyst material all together in a lump, then you eventually end up with exhaust flow issues.

I'm not saying that's the problem on this bike, but if I had a problem with excessive exhaust temp, I'd look for a rich condition, if the thing has a converter on it.  I'm not positive - but that picture sure looks like a catalytic converter to me.

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Topic summary

Posted by chief

- August 29, 2012, 12:02:08 PM

Maybe it was the baffling material they saw??

Here's a pic of the inside...

Posted by testpilot

- August 28, 2012, 19:32:01 PM

Quote from: chief on August 28, 2012, 16:52:04 PM
No catalytic converters on drifters...

Oops! I thought I had seen where someone cut open a goat bladder that had a converter brick in it. It must have been something else. I stand corrected.

Posted by 49Reo

- August 28, 2012, 17:34:49 PM

Hopefully it is as simple as a leaky exhaust. Good luck and keep us posted; other peoples findings and repairs are our best resource.

Regards and such,
49Reo

Posted by chief

- August 28, 2012, 16:52:04 PM

No catalytic converters on drifters... (except california models).

If its getting hot enough to deform those side covers there is a very serious problem... I'd also be worried about the other plastic stuff under that cover.

Posted by testpilot

- August 28, 2012, 16:43:44 PM

Other causes could be a misfire or too rich causing the catalytic converter to overheat. An over-rich condition can be caused by a false temp signal causing the ECM to think it's running cold. Stale fuel can cause the engine to misfire and run poorly. These things can cause the cat to get fuel saturated then suddenly light off. I saw this happen on an early 80s MG. It was ran for a long time with the carburetor adjusted all out of whack. I was asked to set the carb up. When I did the final tuning of the idle mixture jet and I hit the sweet spot, the engine smoothed out. Then, all of a sudden, the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe lit up and glowed cherry red like it had a blacksmith's fire inside. It lasted about 30 seconds and then cooled down. That cat must have really been saturated. Just some thought starters...

Posted by chief

- August 27, 2012, 11:46:16 AM

Wow, I have NEVER heard of such happening. I think you have another problem.

I'd be worried about engine heating, but would likely inspect the exhaust thoroughly looking for exhaust leaks that might be directing hot exhaust gases to the side covers. I'd also check the temps on the cylinders...

Posted by cainsriver

- August 26, 2012, 23:35:27 PM

Today I noticed the stock exhaust pipe had melted/deformed an area about 3/4" diameter in the right side cover where it is closest to the exhaust pipe. I removed the heat shield and wrapped the exhaust pipe in that area with a piece of Koolmat 6" long that can stand up to 1000 deg F (held in place with 2 hose clamps. Anyone else have this issue. Is there another problem and I am disguising it? This is on a 2003 Drifter 1500 with 165 miles on it.

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