FJowners.com

General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Easterntide on February 13, 2015, 12:38:27 PM

Title: Question: Heat shield/protector under gas tank?
Post by: Easterntide on February 13, 2015, 12:38:27 PM
My heat shield underneath the gas tank has come off, I've tried to re-glue using a basic glue but it didn't stay. Is it a necessary item to keep on? if so, a glue recommendation would be appreciated.

thanks as always.
Title: Re: Question: Heat shield/protector under gas tank?
Post by: copper on February 13, 2015, 01:03:31 PM
I ran mine without it one time as got stuck for awhile. I think it may have gotten hot enough to evaporate the fuel in the float bowls creating a vapor lock type effect.
Title: Re: Question: Heat shield/protector under gas tank?
Post by: FJmonkey on February 13, 2015, 02:03:33 PM
Any heat shield will work for a period of time. Unless you have ceramic tiles like the space shuttle then the shield will only slow down thermal transfer. The better the shield the longer it will insulate. If you spend a lot of time in stop and go traffic then it might be useful. If you tend to ride where you keep moving then I think it will not be critical that you have it. If you ride in Phoenix in the summer time and have to wait at traffic lights, then consider the value of blocking the heat. Some high temp RTV might work to glue it back on....
Title: Re: Question: Heat shield/protector under gas tank?
Post by: red on February 13, 2015, 02:04:31 PM
Quote from: Easterntide on February 13, 2015, 12:38:27 PMMy heat shield underneath the gas tank has come off, I've tried to re-glue using a basic glue but it didn't stay. Is it a necessary item to keep on? if so, a glue recommendation would be appreciated. thanks as always.
Easterntide,

If you mean the large insulated "space blanket" that covers most of the gas tank bottom, yes, you do need it to keep the engine heat from heating the gas tank excessively.  Too much heat under the gas tank could become a disaster on wheels. 

An auto parts store should have various heat-tolerant adhesives for you, although I do not know any specific product.  You might also want to attach the heat shield to the frame instead of the tank, using metal cable ties that can be found at home improvement stores.  They may also have a new second layer of similar insulation there, for your tank.  As that heat shield gets old and dirty, it becomes less of an insulator to heat.  Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Red
Title: Re: Question: Heat shield/protector under gas tank?
Post by: aviationfred on February 13, 2015, 02:08:32 PM
Considering the shield sits directly above the engine with probably the least amount of airflow around the engine. High temp adhesive is the only way to go. Red High Temp RTV would be my first choice for an adhesive.

The complete shield is often on eBay in various degrees of condition. Here is an example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-YAMAHA-FJ1200-HEAT-SHIELD-MAT-B-/271387212572?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f2ff03b1c&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-YAMAHA-FJ1200-HEAT-SHIELD-MAT-B-/271387212572?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f2ff03b1c&vxp=mtr)

Fred
Title: Re: Question: Heat shield/protector under gas tank?
Post by: FJ1100mjk on February 13, 2015, 03:57:52 PM
Only "Heat Resistant" to 150F, but I used this one:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-Super-77-Multi-Purpose-Spray-Adhesive?N=5396314+3294310582+3294310584&rt=rud (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-Super-77-Multi-Purpose-Spray-Adhesive?N=5396314+3294310582+3294310584&rt=rud)

to re-attach the fuel tank's heat insulation pad a few years back. No issues to date. I cleaned both the pad's surface and the tank's bottom surface up real good with acetone, then put a couple of good coats of the adhesive on each before attaching the pad. I think that has helped its longevity.

A higher temp adhesive is a better idea, but the 3M stuff was laying around and I gave it a try.