My 996 died on me today. It will start but, if you give it throttle it dies. Not sure if it's related or not but, it's been leaking fuel from the charcoal canister on and off. The bike had been sitting for a year or so before I bought it. Maintenance records show timing belts done at 17k now has 19k. I've only put 40 miles on it. It's my first Ducati and was wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar. Thanks
Welcome Hotrod. Don’t blame it on the fact it’s a Ducati, they’re great bikes but like anything mechanical they need looking after. It seems you have 2 problems, the fuel leak and the refusal to rev. I’d sort the fuel leak first before it catches fire. It’s probably not the charcoal canister, what ever that is, but either one of the fuel lines is leaking or the tank itself is leaking and it’s running into the charcoal canister. Remove the seat then release the tank and lift it as much as you can so you see underneath. Turn the ignition on but don’t start it. The fuel pump will pressurise the injection system. You’ll hear the fuel pump start up. Is the fuel leaking from where the 2 fuel lines exit the tank? If not, remove the tank completely and hold it so the rear is the lowest part. Prop it up like this with some tissue paper underneath. Does the tissue paper get wet with fuel? There’s a recessed bolt which secured the fuel tank at the rest underneath the seat. Water, from rain and washing collects in this and stands there. This can cause rust which if untreated can eat its way through causing pinholes in the tank. Also post pictures of the charcoal canister please, in situ. European bikes have a black plastic crankcase breather behind & underneath the tank, no fuel will leak from that as there’s no fuel in it.
Oh, I’ve no idea of your level of mechanical ability but if it’s like mine was and if you don’t already have one, get yourself a workshop manual. Haynes are the easiest for non-mechanically trained people to follow.
Drain the fuel if you haven't and put fresh in - I think you have 10% Ethanol content over there and if stood for a year since you bought it the fuel will be shagged... Welcome
Thanks for all of the great advice. I'm ashamed to say I was out of fuel. I guess the low fuel needs my attention. Off for a ride
