Well, my 996 spat its dummy yesterday and I'm left with a bike in pieces and a rather expensive and extensive shopping list. Need a new crank, conrods, oil pump and god knows what else. Is this a regular occurance with 996's? What could have caused it? Any thoughts/advice gratefully received.
The only fault I know that will detonate a Ducati is when the water pump seal fails and drains the coolant into the sump. The engine won't overheat because there is still a volume of coolant present within the cooling circuit. Start engine, run for half an hour and Boom! It will take a cylinder head clean off when the big-end seizes. This is why the Ducati rider should always check the oil level before riding because if the water seal has failed the oil will cover the sight glass.
New 1098 engine? Nelson on here has just made a 748 into a 1048 or a 798 or whatever he's called it, with a 1098 engine. I think he's still trying to catch his breath from riding it!
+1 Wang a complete motor in there whilst we still have Summer, post mortem will reveal the cause of Kaput - ebay the remains.
Sorry to hear Michael - glad it failed without hurting you physically anyway. The odd 996 engine does crop up (best option AFAIC) - i've narrowly missed buying one or two in the past for around the £6/700.
I had the alternator nut come loose and caused some damage not as bad yours, out of warranty and a known issue Ducati UK paid for parts I just covered the labour
He speaks truth...Just doing my best to hold on!!! That would be my plan....Bin the old motor, or stick it under a cover in the shed...Buy a 1098 for ~£2k and ride off.... Obviously a few other bits to consider, but I bet repairing the old motor is going to be expensive? Good luck whichever you decide.
my 749RS had the same problem - alternator floating around on the end of the crank. Fortunately I had Toine check it before I rode it. Is it Red Loctite that never comes undone??
I think I'll be looking for a replacement engine- Ducati want £1600 for a crankshaft, and I can't justify £2000 for a 1098 lump. So if anybody knows where there may be one for sale.... Thanks in advance.
One engine went on ebay a few weeks ago for nearly a grand eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace I asked some questions but the seller wasnt interested in answering as he was guaranteed a sale. Trouble is a 996 goes into a 748 - so they are very popular. I'm still waiting to find out if mine is economically repairable.
I recomend Mike at Gotham in the states. Crank and conrods complete here Gotham Cycles - The Ducati Parts Specialist for $250. Just check the year and send him a shopping list. I have bought parts off of him.
When my 750ss went pop about a decade ago because of the alternator nut issue, I found out that Ducati wanted about £750 for a new crank, so I investigated other options. SEP at Kegworth rebuilt the splines on my crankshaft for about £110. It was still going well about 8 years later when I swapped engines. It might be worthwhile letting them have a look at the bits, and seeing what they have to say. There's very little that is properly scrap, and getting the thing properly re-engineered is a qualitly solution. Best of luck
There's an ST4 project/parts bike on eBay at the moment at £500, it's a got a 916 motor, not ideal but it'd get you back on the road.
Don't know what caused it, but a lot of cranks/rods are interchangable (seeing as for 30 years they've all just been pantahs with rubber bands attached) so don't just limit yourself to looking for a 916 set ........
Was thinking a 916 crank was the same stroke (66mm), could get a 916 engine and build one out of the two - maybe with the 996 barrels/pistons to keep it a 996cc? Chris's Bore/Stroke selector :smile:
