Exhaust pipe dent!

[Hornet Pilot]

I just discovered a 1/8 dent in one of my exhaust header pipes. The dent is just behing the front lower curve of the pipe. I have Dale Walker headers. Should I be overly concerned with this dent and replace the headers?

Thanks!

 

[Mihalis fjr]

I believe you must replace your headers..No problem in low rpm,but in middle and especially in high rpm perhaps it can cause an overheating in the cylinder with much troubles after that..!My opinion..

 

[NightShine]

There is some speculation that a dent in a header pipe may have led to the premature demise of one of the pistons of Patriot's late-motor (ex-motor?), so you are correct to be concerned...

 

[Hornet Pilot]

I did read that and that's my concern as well. I have ordered new pipes but wasn't too sure if I could still be ok to ride it for a few weeks in the mean time!

 

[RossKean]

1/8th of an inch doesn't seem like very much to me. I would be surprised if it had any effect. (But what do I know?)

 

[Donal]

1/8th of an inch doesn't seem like very much to me. I would be surprised if it had any effect. (But what do I know?)

I tend to agree with this opinion, however pics would definitely help!

 

[garyahouse]

Hornet: you said, "1/8" dent." Guessing that you know your dimensions, and that your guess is reasonably accurate, that dent won't obstruct your flow and shouldn't be a problem. Now if half the pipe was crushed in, that would be a different story. Speaking of "story," your plugs tell a story. Good engine mechanics all know that the best way to tell how an engine is running is to look at the plugs. They will reveal if the cylinder in question has a flow problem. One of them will be significantly different. Did you think to check them?

And also, that dent might be able to be repaired. You can weld a "stud" or two into the dent using a stud welder... if the pipes are made of regular steel. Not sure what FJR pipes are made of. Anyway, if they're mild steel, ya just weld on a stud or two, then heat em up cherry red with a torch, and pull the dent out. When you're satisfied, just grind off the stud and you're done... just like we do in auto body shops. Here's a cheap example of a stud welder: CLICKY

FWIW, a local auto body shop might do this for ya fer cheap.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Hornet Pilot]

Well it's definitely only 1/8" deep by approx. 1" long and 1/16" wide. Thinking of all the twists and turns etc an exhaust pipe make and that the pipe is also slightly larger in diameter then stock (that's how Dale made them) I would tent to agree that the harmfull effect would be minimal. However, I will do a bit of riding and then take a plug reading. I don't expect any noticeable difference between plugs. As I mentioned earlier, I have ordered new pipes and hope to have them in a week or two.

 

[wfooshee]

Mike's dent was significantly more severe than that.

 

[Canadian FJR]

1/8" I'd be willing to bet that the majority of bikes on the road have at least this much of a dent on the bottom of the header. I'd leave it.

Canadian FJR

 

[TomInPA]

I have a similar dent in the far right pipe. It's been there quite a while and doesn't seem to be a problem. Some guys along Hwy 129 even took some pictures of it last Friday.

 

[NightShine]

I just discovered a 1/8 dent in one of my exhaust header pipes.

Ah, well. That's different! I'd read this post as a dent of one-eighth the diameter of the pipe! Sorry...

 

[Bustanut joker]

Ride on up.. I have a stud welder in the shop an can have that dent gone in seconds.

 

[Hornet Pilot]

Thanks every one for the replys. I went for a 300+ mile ride today and just finished checking the plugs and they all look great. Guess I'll sleep well tonight and worry about other things! Bustanut, thanks for the offer. Don't be surprised if I do show up one of these days!

Thanks again folks!