Darn Donuts! Heat Shield Issues.

[kurzy]

I'm just in the process of buttoning up the Nytro after replacing the donuts with copper. As a matter of precaution, I decided to fire it up before I reassembled everything and I have a fair amount of smoke coming out from around the heat shield under the fuel tank. I did put Copper anti-seize on the clamps around the donuts and i'm sure there is residual penetrating oil from removal but my main concern is the heat shield itself. about 1/4 of the Asbestos padding has worn to nothing and I don't know what is acceptable. I've seen other postings with pics that are way worse than mine. Can the asbestos be replaced or the whole shield? It figures, this kind of issue always pops up after the dealer has closed for the weekend! Any opinions would help.

 

[RTX]

Mine wore out on my apex.
I put it back togerher without it. Been running it like that (no insulation) for about 5000 miles with no issues

 

[thrasher]

The fibre mat portion of the heat shield is not asbestos. That being said, mine has worn half off as well. Noticed it when I first replaced the exhaust donuts at about 8,000 kms. Have changed them a few times since, and have 30,000 kms on now and no difference with the heat shield.

 

[kurzy]

Thank RTX and Thrasher, it makes me feel a little better about running it like that. It's just so close to the tank! Quite an interesting design...

 

[Ohiohntr]

Mine smoked like crazy after the doughnut change....I was real nervous as I had the whole sled back together and didn't want to tear it back down again (my matting was all but gone as well). I was praying it was just the penetrating oil burning off, and it was...it finally quit after 15min of running time.

I agree, what a head scratching design...lol

 

[Metallicat]

The insulating material on mine has deteriorated as well. I too was concerned but it has been like that for thousands of miles without issue. I just put in copper donuts this year.