Heat Exchanger- probably a dumb question...

[mtnjunkie]

I got a rock dent in my front heat exchanger last spring. Was climbing and ended up with all my antifreeze on the side of the mountain. We bypassed it and I rode it the next day (this was in June) with no over heating. The snow was a but mushy, but no powder. I don't have a temp gauge, it just has the warning light when it gets too hot. I thought it was just a leak so I fixed the hoses and found out there is a small dent that is leaking. It's a pain to get out I'm thinking, but my brother has a spool gun and can weld it since they're pretty spendy. I'm just curious if anyone has bypassed it and not used it at all? I'll probably go ahead and fix it, but if it cracks again- it's just kind of a pain to get out. And it's too much to keep replacing every time a little rock dings it.

 

[Cheynespub]

Do you have a skid plate? I would use a tig welder or have it done profesionally so that it will hold up. Then protect it with a plastic skid plate. You should not need to replace it if nothing is bent.

Good luck

 

[mtnjunkie]

I just got a skid plate and will put it on when this is fixed. My brother is a pro. welder so he'll do a good job. I have a welder, but don't have a spool gun to do aluminum. And he's much better at it anyway!

 

[hymark860]

I would fix and leave it hooked up. Or there are cheap ones on ebay all the time. If snow conditions are marginal and you keep bouncing temp light off and on you will prematurely kill your motor over time.