AFAIK 40nm refers to the bigger bolts used to retain the pre-pump filter on some engines, although I am fully aware a Google search, “what torque is the sump plug bolt” or words to that effect, and more so since AI started giving the responses, often comes back with the incorrect 40Nm. People then blindly follow that as gospel. Someone did say it was printed in a Ducati Workshop/Service Manual but I’ve not come across it. Yes to the sealant too, belt & braces
I did see it in an online version of the ducati manual at one point. It's amazing the number of sump plugs i have changed because they are so tight the allen hole is rounding off.
There's also tighten, tighten, tighten...and then feel the resistance give..and stop...and "it's fine"...quickly pushing it to the back of your mind....
Odd how times change the accepted approach to maintenance. In the dim and distant past, my workshop practice Apprentice Master taught us oyks to tighten bolts by feel. We made mistakes once or twice but on test pieces. We were shown by repetition, how it felt tightening different material bolts into the same and different material threads, Whitworth, UNC and UNF. I don’t think metric had been invented when I went to school Andy
When you have finished with getting the thread tapped. Fit a Stahlbus oil drain valve, that's what I've done to all my bikes because I was sick and tired of spilling the f**king oil all over me and the garage floor from the waste oil container lying next to my shoulder when I was dicking about with replacing the sump plug ready for putting in the new oil, over-filling with the new oil and then having to drop the level by opening the sump plug again to drop the level.
Thank you , i was thinking my workshop years were for nothing. I use torque wrenches of various sizes but that sump bolt goes in by feel.
I notice from their website, the only photographs are of side exit sumps. How much does the unit protrude on a bottom exit sump ? Just thinking about clearance with the sump guard on my Pikes Peak. Andy
I've got a plug like that on my Land Rover, certainly makes oil changing easier with no worries of stripping/leaky plug when refitting or even requirement for any tools but, it does stick out quite a way which is no problem on the Land Rover as it has over 2 feet of ground clearance and the sump plug is on the side of the sump anyway, so no risk of it hitting anything. On a Ducati with the plug underneath and not much ground clearance it might be risky if going over a kerb etc? plus you lose the tell-tale magnet that has alerted me to serious issues more than a couple of times.
Update from the independent garage - Bike will be back on the road next week! The valve cover seems to have just been a shitty rushed job without proper application of sealant on the joining surfaces. Kind of expected... But the sump. The sump was a 'bad repair', Ducati apparently used the wrong size threaded insert and to add insult, they used a aluminum washer on the sump bolt. This has been rectified with a new M13 threaded insert and the bolt has a copper washer installed and they have tested the fix is not leaking. As for the huge list of errors on the dash, he will run diagnostics once the work is complete to see what's what. He thinks it's likely just lack of use and the battery being in and out that's caused the errors. As for cost... He didn't mention but he said this is the best outcome so it's likely going to be a couple of hundred is my best guess. Thankfully I can turn a blind eye to the cost, unfortunately that isn't the case for everyone. Next step with ducati - I will take up the offer from Ducati Amsterdam to go and have a chat in the dealership with the shop manager as he is a nice guy and I personally think any feedback is good feedback. I'm going to give him the lay out of what took place over the past couple of years, what financial and time cost was involved and general input of my dissatisfaction. Will it change anything? No, I'll still never give a single penny to Ducati. But maybe, just maybe, it will help a future customer if they act upon the feedback.
What a journey ! Thanks for the information on all of your efforts with dealership and independent workshops. It has reinforced my attitude that if you have the time and skill , get on and do the work yourself. If not , then I'm lucky to have Cornerspeed 30 mins away. They're just the best.
Sounds like a good result, eventually, @freshage. Pleased to hear that the bike has been restored to its former good state, hopefully your confidence in it has also been reinstated and you can continue to get pleasure from riding it. It's encouraging that your local dealer is willing to meet and discuss the issue and your experience. Will await the outcome/response from that with interest. Your case has illustrated the need to have a decent and trustworthy dealership or reputable indi mechanic within a reasonable distance.
As mentioned earlier, the Stahlbus sump plug does protrude from the bottom of the sump by as much as 25mm which might be challenging depending upon your perspective of the ground clearance you might need.
