I have a 1986 suzuki quadrunner 230 with a couple problems i would like to ask for someones opinion on. First of all, my exhaust where it bolts to the motor after riding for a while turns bright red and is super hot. I know a 1986 four wheeler will not be perfect especially since i only give $50 for it. I just think its kind of dangerous because i put a new gas tank on it right above the motor and do not want it to catch fire. The gas tank i put on it had a lot of trash in it so i know i need me a carb cleaning and read online that will sometimes make the exhaust do it but also i know valves will. The four wheeler runs pretty good but drives itself sometimes and idles on and off. Is it getting to much gas? Not enough? Jets clogged? Someone tell me what will make it do this.

 

Start off by rebuilding or replacing the carb with new and get that properly adjusted. Being a 86 who knows if the carb has ever been rebuilt. Valves you can check and adjust while you are waiting for parts. Until you get it fixed i would not drive it as all you are doing is cooking the engine just asking for it to fail

 

It might be running lean which could burn it up.

 

X2 on JumboFranks suggestion on being lean....either a carb problem or an intake leaking air and causing the leanburn condition in the exhaust. You will burn it up by continuing to run it!!

 

I actually burned a hole right through the top of a piston on a snowmobile that wasn't running right. The whole snowmobile went to the trash heap after a mechanic tore down the engine and had a look inside.