Idled Too Long

[AAAirbooorn]

i let it idle too long and the exhaust from the engine out 8 inches turned beat red. is there any permanent damage done?:(

[remlapr]

I would think it's O.K. - others have posted about that. Is it bone stock? If not, you may have a jetting issue - if you're running too lean your header gets extra hot, again just what I have read...

[AAAirbooorn]

it's all stock. i just heard that you shouldn't let an aircooled engine idle for too long.i hope i didn't ruin the integrity of the metal

[muff]

i dont think its gonna overheat just by idling, how long did you have it goin for and whats the temp there

[AAAirbooorn]

5 or 7 minutes. it did the same thing yesterday while i was starting it up. it took a while to get it to idle without squeezing the throttle . i guess that was because it was cold out. i don't use the choke to avoid flooding it. i had to ride it around a few minutes and then it idled fine, it was snowing and about 30 degrees.shouldn't it idle after the first or second try or what?

[SUPERFLY 400]

i guess that was because it was cold out. i don't use the choke to avoid flooding it

If you have the choke...USE IT! Thats the lamest thing I've heard, I don't use the choke because I'm afraid I'll flood it, but yet bitc* about having a hard time starting:mad:
I've never fouled a plug using the choke...then of course I do know how to use a choke!

[AAAirbooorn]

CLAP....................................CLAP...... ...........................CLAP................... ..................CLAP.

[ridered86]

ok guys settle down, the problem is is that your running lean, i would say if its new take it back and have them rejet it, or if your doing it purchase a jet kit and adjust the needle jet and main jet and it should fix your problem.

[AAAirbooorn]

Thanks ED

[Chanman420q]

5-7 min idling? wow i usually let it idle for 10-15 before i ride

[AAAirbooorn]

Yeah, well i was hitting the throttle the whole time cause it wouldn't stay going.

[02Yellow400]

I usually pop on the choke put on it for maybe 45 seconds turn the choke up and it will idle all day long with no problems. Also i never let my quad idle for long periods of time because there is not reason for it.

[optikid123]

y r u taking it back??? everyones headers glow its normal ill bet 90% of the peoples 400exs on this site have glowing headers and they others r just weird or havent noticed it yet

[cals400ex]

i would put in a 42 or so pilot jet. this should help for cold weather starting and then it won't be lean so the headers might not glow. also, for cold weather, move the needle up (clip down) one notch. this eliminated all of the jerks when my bike was cold. your main jet should be fine. if you change it only go from the 148 to a 150 if your bike is all stock. when i overheated my 400ex, my valves went out of adjustment. so i would recommend adjusting them also.

[Houser Cannondale]

a glowing header is completely normal. if your out riding at night go up a big hill or something that puts a big load on the motor then turn your lights out and look down at the header. its almost always a dull red.

[AAAirbooorn]

Heah, thanks for the info, that's all i needed to hear.:muscle:

[ROGERS]

I agree. Glowing header is normal. Even in stock trim. Back when I used to smoke, I never carried a lighter when riding- I just lit it off of the head pipe!

[Chanman420q]

are u serious? wow ill keep that in mind...

[tippie60]

yeah i ride 01 400ex and friends lite they cigs of my pipes all the time even in the dead winter

[jchevy]

Yep, its normal. Especially if its sitting and your reving it. There is no air moving around it so it got hot. If you were riding it then the air movement would have cooled it down and it wouldnt be glowing, unless under a heavy load such as climbing a hill like mentioned before.

Your fine, dont worry about it.