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What does the spark arrester do?

13K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  Munson15  
#1 ·
I purchased a used OEM exhaust off of ebay for my son's 2005 Predator 500. It arrived without the spark arrester. Will running it without the arrester be a problem? Either in terms of safety or performance? Thanks
 
#2 ·
Depends on the laws in your area..... Does it affect performance? No. Safety? YES!! As the spark arrester is the screen at the exhaust port (output hole) of the muffler. It's designed to keep "sparks" of heated carbon from flying out and starting a wildland fires. Which are usually more common on two-stroke engines.
 
#3 ·
Here are some pictures looking in to the exhaust. The seller says that the arrester is inside the exhaust and that only the outer cap is missing. I dont think that's the case. Can you guys tell from these pictures whether any portion of the arrester is in there? Thanks
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#6 · (Edited)
I would say yes. And I could be wrong but I think ALL exhaust that is not used on " closed course " must be US Forest approved... ( have a spark arrestor). Usually a simple 90 deg turn down on the muffler works as a spark arrestor, as sparks can't turn corners
 
#7 ·
That exhaust does not have a spark arrestor. Easy fix, go to the hardware store, find some small metal mesh, cut it to shape, and take the end cap off, put the screen in, put end cap back on.

If that dosent make since, I can explain it better. Let me know
 
#8 ·
This is the stuff I'm talking about, but try to find it with smaller squares.

But cut it in a circle that will fit your exhaust, mark the 3 bolt holes, and just cut one small wire so the bolts will fit through, I'm guessing the bolts will not fit through the mesh squares, hence cut one to make bigger hole... Put the screen on first, then the end cap, then bolts and it should be good to go. It it rips from exhaust pressure, I doubt it, but it might, make it into a cone shape, with the cone tip facing towards front of exhaust.
 

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#9 ·