[Red-Rider]

My 2000 350 2WD rancher project is up and running, but I have noticed my headpipe glowing dull red after dark. This is not visible during the daylight. I did some searching and the most popular answer is lean running, followed by it's normal, and it's the timing.

I have added a cooling fan to my rancher, it did not come with one, and richened the pilot screw and raised the needle 1 position. It wont glow with the fan running. I fear that if this is a problem, running the fan is only a band aide on the problem. Running without the fan, it doesn't seem to run hot to me. When I cleaned/rebuilt the carb, I re-used the stock jets, I am reasonable sure the carb is good and clean, as far as jets plugged up.

Could my muffler clogged with soot cause this? It looks pretty nasty in there from being run smoking. I don't see any way to service and repack the stock muffler.

Anyone ever see this happen during nighttime riding? I would have never noticed it except my wife rode 'till after dark a few nights ago.

 

[submarine 300]

You might have the wrong size jets in the carb. Because a glowing pipe IS a sign of it running lean. Or you could have some trash in the carb. If you or someone else has changed the jets then try going up on the main and pilot jets. If nobody has changed them then try cleaning your carb.

 

[Redracer]

A glowing pipe is the sign of a lean condition in the day. It is pretty normal to see the headpipe near where it connects to the engine glow a dull red in the dark. If you can see it during the day.... that's an issue.

On our old week long rides we use to use the head pipe to light toilet paper on fire to start our camp fires.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

A glowing pipe is the sign of a lean condition in the day. It is pretty normal to see the headpipe near where it connects to the engine glow a dull red in the dark. If you can see it during the day.... that's an issue.

On our old week long rides we use to use the head pipe to light toilet paper on fire to start our camp fires.

Good thing you lit camp fires with that toilet paper...That probably wouldn;t feel to good..LMAO

 

[Redracer]

LMAO... just might seal some stuff up that you just don't want sealed up.

 

[shadetree]

yuppers..your running lean..try turning your pilot/fuel mixture out 1/2 turn..see if that helps...also clean your muffler out.

 

[Redracer]

You are not running lean if you can see it at night, this is normal. If you can see it during the day you are lean.

 

[Helmut]

I would agree with Red. If it's just a little dull red where the pipe comes out of the head, after dark, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Red-Rider]

It's just dull red about the first 3 inches of headpipe, only visible at night. I have seen this before, but its been so long, I cant remember who's/what bike it was and the conditions.

 

[shadetree]

It's just dull red about the first 3 inches of headpipe, only visible at night. I have seen this before, but its been so long, I cant remember who's/what bike it was and the conditions.

if it's not running lean..i would say your muffler has some build up in it..try cleaning that..see if it's helps any..you could also have a worn header..could be real thin right where you said it's glowing..start with the muffler first..see if that don't help any.

 

[Billy250X]

Sounds lean to me.

 

[Redracer]

Trust me, I use to do night races. The 1st couple of inches WILL glow red on a perfectly tuned machine. If you can see it during the day you are lean. If you try to adjust your jetting from this point you are going to be running rich and lose power.

IT IS NORMAL TO SEE A DULL RED GLOW ON THE 1ST COUPLE OF INCHES OF THE HEADER WHEN IT IS DARK!!!

 

[Red-Rider]

I am fairly certain the muffler is full of crud. The little holes in the spark arrestor look plugged up. I need to figure out a way to clean it. What is the little bolt at the lower rear of the muffler for? I thought it might be there to drain it if it ever took on water. It doesnt look like there is a way to repack the muffler.

 

[Redracer]

It is very possible that it needs a cleaning bad but you are not in danger with a little glowing in the dark.

Also, if the pipe was backed up from being dirty that would not cause a lean condition. Just the opposite, if it is dirty to the point where it is restricting air flow, that would cause it to run fat.(rich)

 

[TRX2fiveO]

You also will see the dull red glow more so in the cooler months FYI.

 

[Helmut]

I am fairly certain the muffler is full of crud. The little holes in the spark arrestor look plugged up. I need to figure out a way to clean it. What is the little bolt at the lower rear of the muffler for? I thought it might be there to drain it if it ever took on water. It doesnt look like there is a way to repack the muffler.

Here you go. Good luck on getting that bolt out if it has never been taken out. Sometimes you just can't get them out.

 

[Helmut]

And no, there's no way to repack the mufflers on these models.

 

[Billy250X]

Just put a aftermarket muffler or homemade like I do on it.

 

[Red-Rider]

Thanks Helmut, I am gonna try that. I really want to keep the stock muffler either way, aftermarket units are usually louder, I dont wanna go that way. I have every intention of putting down logging trails on our 2500 acre deer lease.

 

[Helmut]

Thanks Helmut, I am gonna try that. I really want to keep the stock muffler either way, aftermarket units are usually louder, I dont wanna go that way. I have every intention of putting down logging trails on our 2500 acre deer lease.

Yeah, I like quiet mufflers, too. The quieter, the better.