My heat riser is frozen!

[Treadted2]

Hello all,

upon doing some routine maintenance checks I found that my heat riser is completely frozen. It's the little valve inbetween the exhaust manifold and the initial exhaust pipe. It is supposed to be closed when the engine starts to recirculate the exhaust and give better cold drivability, and then gradually open up as the engine warms. Mine, however does not move at all. I don't know what kinda problem this is and was wondering if anyone knew anything. Thanks

Ted

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84' Grand Wagoneer
-AMC 360
-Stock axles, tranny & transfer case
-MSD TFI upgrade
-K&N Air filter
-Rough Country 3" lift
-Heckelthorne Hydro shocks
-Yokohama Prodigy AT 31X10.5 tires
-American Racing 15X8 Chrome Nugget wheels
-blue fuzzy dice!!

[christopher]

there is a weight on one side that when your rig heats up and the springs loosen it falls with gravity. now is it frozen with the weight up(closed) or down(open). if its frozen open leave it, your in Ga. it doesn't get cold enough for you to realy need it. I live in Pa. and havn't had mine working sinse I had it. if it's closed work it open or get a new one

[MonsterMash]

If it is fully closed and frozen in that position then you'll have an almost total blockage of that exhaust pipe. There is a special lubricant made for heat riser valves. Try banging on the counterweight to see if it'll move. If your rig is running then I don't think the valve is stuck closed.

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" I'm not going to make policy based on guilt."
--Gov. George "Dubya" Bush

"The internal combustion engine is the single greatest threat to life on this planet."
--Vice Pres. Al Gore
(I guess he walks to work?)

'84GW360--"Spinner"
Sir Gary Boyd's Ford truck ignition upgrade
Electric fuel pump
9.50x30x15 Dirt-Diggers
No emmissions crap (musta' been the previous owner, officer)
Missing interior & exterior pieces
Chipped windshield
Otherwise stock
(soon to be 4v--I'll blame that on the previous owner as well)

[RudyC]

Mine was flozen closed but was badly rotted too so it didn't run too bad. but it kept blowing my gasket so it used tin snips and cut out the flapper part nad left the rod as is. No problems now. Unless you live where it's butt Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley cold ya dont need it.

[Ralph]

Hit it with PB Penetrating Catalyst. It's a high-heat penetrating fluid that's great for frozen heat riser valves. I also use it for penetrating fluid in general and have had excellent results.