Exhaust header nuts WELDED on?

[gog]

Slowly working through bits on my 1100GS. Noticed a bit of reek blowing from the join where the exhaust header bolts to the head, and found the bolts in a horrible state on both sides. What nuts remain are corroded to hell and several appear to have been welded on. I can't imagine what kind of mutant thought this was an acceptable fix. What would be the best way to go about rectifying this?

Appreciate any pointers. Seems that a PO wasn't terribly fussy with maintenance.

 

[tadhgocuilleain]

I think the studs can be unscrewed from the head (someone else might confirm this), so if you take the bike for a good run and get the engine nice and hot, they might screw out as the nuts are welded to them.

 

[gog]

that's what I was hoping, however at least 3 of them are so corroded that there are no nut flats left, basically just a blob of weld. the space looks too tight to get a decent grip with a set of moles, even cutting them would prove difficult given the lack of space. of course that's if the studs do indeed unscrew from the heads!

 

[fizzer]

dissconect he ecu and battery get a dremmell give them heads a good clean,so they are shiney ,get someone to mig some new nuts on the heads ,leave for a while till it cools right down,then heat with a blow torch ,then try to turn them out

 

[gog]

cheers fizzer. I've got a mig, I'll give that a try

 

[Littledumptruck]

Wouldn't get at the op too much, this is a very common issue on bmw twins. If you do a search you'll find lots of tales of issues getting the pipes off and old studs out.
Usually seems to result in head off and off to one of the skilled guys on here like steptoe or mikeyboy.
Good luck

 

[gog]

perhaps that is a bit harsh. truth told I only paid £1150 for the bike with a years MOT, including hard luggage, and most of the rest seems in decent enough order. the powdercoat is flaking in all the usual places (which I'm not fussy about) and most of the fasteners are rusty but those are getting replaced.

I've serviced it and will balance the TBs this weekend. I'm enjoying riding it and have got SWMBO on board for a trip to applecross next month. I don't intend to restore it cosmetically at all, just use and enjoy it. Leaves my spanner time free to finish restoring the airhead

 

[Steptoe]

The nuts are not welded on. That's how they end up after a few years of living where they are. I've currently got both heads off an 1150RT (the 1150RT has three studs per head same as the 1100 models, the 1150GS only has two studs per head) where all 6 studs had to be drilled out. To be honest it's much quicker, easier and you can do a far better job by removing the heads and putting inserts in place. Of course if they were serviced properly in the first place, nuts removed and anti seize nickle paste used on the studs/nuts once a year no one would have this problem.

 

[gog]

Cheers Neil. Any chance you could tell me more about the 'inserts'?

by removing the heads and putting inserts in place.