Exhuast is melting air filter box

[RPS444]

2005 yz450f. The header glows red when idling which I have heard is normal but the abnormal part is that my whole exhaust system starts to glow red after less then a minute of idle. Something else that I noticed is that it has a small anti freeze leak out of the weep hole. Is this the main problem for overheating the exhaust pipe? 

[03yzf450-kuke]

Normal glow I'm pretty sure only just wraps the bend. I'm no expert but sounds to me like your way too lean on idle. Also leaking out the weephole means your impeller seal is leaking

[guntoter535]

If your impeller seal is leaking and its getting that hot, your water pump is probably going out

[03yzf450-kuke]

I would pull the carb and give it a good clean. Also look for air leaks around carb boot.

[RPS444]

Carb was cleaned thoroughly. It has a PMB spark arrestor on it and I wasn't sure if that means I need to mess with the jet settings which are still stock. Another issue that I'm sure isn't helping is that I think all the packing is gone from the silencer. Would that cause the popping and backfiring I hear along with the heat in the pipe? I just bought this bike and now I'm discovering some of the problems.

[03yzf450-kuke]

Have you checked your intake boot for leaks? Spray some carb cleaner around boot while running and see rpms increase

[WilfulLemar20]

I would move needle up a notch or 2 and it's best to get easy to access air fuel screw I just bought an 04 yz450f and the carb is a nightmare I am really considering trying this kit http://www.ecotrons.com/

[03yzf450-kuke]

It would be in the pilot circuit if the problem does in fact lie in the carb since its happening at idle. It is normal for header to glow after idling for a couple minutes but not to the mid pipe in under a minute that totally sounds like a clogged pilot jet or air leak somewhere

[RPS444]

Thanks everyone. We are going to check out the water pump tonight to see if the leak is from a seal or bad impeller.

[RPS444]

Should there be any play in the impeller when you twist by hand or should it be tight?

[grayracer513]

Yes.  The impeller is driven by a flat tab on the end of the shaft which fits a socket in the end of the balancer drive gear.  You can normally rotate them about 30 degrees or so by hand.

 

Read: https://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/841710-04-450-coolant-leak/

[guntoter535]

There is a double seal on the impeller. It is usually the second seal that goes bad

[grayracer513]

There are two seals because the shaft passes between two volumes containing two fluids that need to be contained, coolant in the water pump, and oil in the primary drive case.  One seal controls oil, and the other water.  You don't need to replace the oil seal if only coolant is leaking, but as you read the link I posted, you will see that the only correct method of removing the impeller form the shaft involves the removal of the right crankcase cover anyway, and thus exposes both seals to ready removal, as well as the shaft and bearing for inspection.  The two seals together are quite inexpensive, so I always replace them as a pair.

[RPS444]

Thank you! The first seal was bad and the second seal will be replaced as well. My only concern is that it won't fix the mid pipe turning red hot less then a minute at idle. The muffler has zero packing in it so I'm going to replace it but I still can't figure out what is causing it to heat up so quickly that it started melting the air filter box right away.

[guntoter535]

Lean jetting, clogged slow jet extra air getting into fuel circuit or exhaust. Check all rubber gaskets that may have deteriorated causing excess air

[grayracer513]

My only concern is that it won't fix the mid pipe turning red hot less then a minute at idle.

It won't.

[RPS444]

Yea it's really a bummer. I'm thinking it may be time to cut losses and dump it, I've tried everything people have recommended. I appreciate all the help.

[03yzf450-kuke]

Keep looking ...... Check for air leaks everywhere.... Have you checked the hot start?

[03yzf450-kuke]

How did you go about looking for air leaks?

[03yzf450-kuke]

It is most likely a simple problem just needs to be found. You should be spraying carb clean around intake boot and try pulling the hot start and plugging the air passage and see if it makes any difference