uhm...can someone answer my question?

can the timing chain have something to do with the headers glowing?

 

If the timing is advanced too far, yes.

It's more likely you're running too lean.

 

ok, ill try to get the timing chain fixed, then ill see if it happens more, if the problem persists, ill jet it.

 

i got the same problem i took my 400ex for a little ride and i got back and noticed smoke coming from underneath it so i looked and only one was glowiing? i just got it back and the people who did it didnt have to do anything to the motor and it never did that before. any ideas?

 

Glowing headers can be caused by running rich or timing being off and fuel being burned inside the pipes not in the combustion chamber. If your valves are out of adjustment and not seating properly, raw fuel can escape the combustion chamber before spark and also burn in the header pipe causing excessive heat.

 

Single wall header pipes will normally glow on those quads. Not like their brothers, the Foreman, Rancher, Rubicon (utility quads) which have double wall header pipes. They won't glow like the 400 sport quad as result of the double wall pipe. It is one of the first things we noticed about them during initial startup out of the crate during set-up, shortly after Honda introduced the quad into their line up years and years ago. The real way to see if it is running too hot, lean or rich is to remove and inspect the spark plug and read it after a short run. If you can see the top of the piston while turned up to tdc and spark plug removed, check for abnormal fuel wash pattern (rich) or dry and aluminum color of the piston (lean). Honestly I think it is normal though. Had a few cases over the years where the muffler was restricted or plugged or the unit was jetted for higher elevations where the pipe turned almost white hot after the normal red heat of the header was observed... When they first intro'd the 420 rancher, fuel injected and single wall pipe, we had simular concerns from customers but they were fine also

~ Gimpster ~

 

A lean running enging will overheat, the wrong plug gap, or a "HOT" plug will make an engine run hot, if your timing is too advanced for the cam or ign, it will run too hot, a blockage in the pipe or too much carbon build up on the head / piston & valves will also cause an engine to run too hot. Using the wrong fuel type will also create more heat. Blockage around the cooling fins on an air cooled engine will also cause problems.

A rich running engine will not cause overheating. Gasoline actually helps to lubricate & cool a top end.

using winter pump gas can sometimes also cause an engine to run hotter due to the extra ethanol (around here anyways.)

also agree with gimpster- the plug will tell you all about the combustion conditions- learn to read the plug.

fwiw- both my 400ex's (one with a 16 over kit and the other with a 40 over kit) would make the header glow slightly to a dull red- maybe an inch or two from the head...