i'm trying to debug a cooling issue. I have followed the workshop manual on changing the coolant. But now I have an issue where the bike seems not to be cooling properly. It warms up slowly as normal and cools slightly when the thermostat opens but continues to rise, and even climbs to about 95 when riding and only cools slightly when cruising at 70mph, ie back down to 84. and the hoses are feel really solid like it's over pressured I currently have my mechanic doing a valve guide check and timing belt change and whilst he is there he is investigating the issue and he is stumped. The pump and thermostat are working as they should, he has flushed the rad and tested the flow through it and the flow seems ok. But the rad is getting very very hot on the inlet outlet side both top and bottom and about 3/4's across the temp drops both on the top and bottom of the rad. Has anybody had a similar issue? Also If i have to replace it, i don't want oem, as the paint quality is pants and I use this bike everyday, rain or shine and want it looking good for as long as possible and I would like to upgrade it, does anybody have links to place to get one. Cheers
This might be worth a read? https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/running-temp-question-1200-s-2014.43179/
Hi, yes it's my first Ducati. i've had her since 1st September last year, so i've run her in warm weather and know that they run hot in warmer weather. I changed the fluid a week ago (last Saturday) and on Sunday I checked the level and it was fine, took it out for a ride and the temp hit 112 degrees and didn't come down so had to turn it off and allow it to cool. Then I took her out on Tuesday evening, and she warmed up like normal to 75 degrees, then i stopped at a set of traffic lights and she heated up 10 degrees rapidly, then road for 5mins mins on 30-40mph roads and she continued to heat up slowly adding 5-6 degrees. then i went on a dual carriage way up to 70mph and she dropped back to 85. Then cruised along a 50mph limit stretch of dual carriage and she hardly dropped. She doesn't seem to cool as quickly then before the chnage Kev
Anything up to 104 degrees or so is fine. 112 degrees is not fine, and means something needs fixing. Here's a simple test: If you leave the bike stationary on the stand with the engine running for several minutes, the temp should climb gradually, when it reaches 103 degrees the fans should cut in and the temp should stabilise. If the fans don't cut in, its a temp sensor or fan leads issue. If the fans cut in but the temp still rises then its probably a radiator issue. By the way, temp sensors and thermostats are cheap and simple to replace, but radiators are expensive - this should give you a clue where to start.
The fans come on at 101 degrees and the themostat valve works fine. sounds like i am being hyper sensitive about it
Yes, it doesn't sound too bad - have you tried topping up the rad and not the expansion tank. You might find an air trap has bubbled out while re filling and it doesn't always show by the expansion tank level...
do you use the bike all year round? in warmer weather they run hotter and heat quicker i guess. i tend to get people coming in with suspected over heating issues this time of year, often complaining about a noise they haven't heard before which later turns out to be just the cooling fans operating. also a big rise in suspected coolant leaks which turn out to be just the air con dripping water.
Probably nothing wrong - but for airlocks - with bike hot - but not running - try squeezing hoses repeatedly to try and push out any air locks into the expansion tank.
Took note of temperature earlier on when out. 21 ambient temperature. Went up to 62 and stayed around that. Fluctuated from 62-68 depending on speed and stopping. Temperature does rise quickly when at standstill but returns to the range mentioned when moving. Afraid no insight into your problem but least you know ball park figure it should be.
I don't think you say what year the bike is. Early models had a red defect that caused them to fail and only work at half capacity. I had one like that. Needs a new rad I'd suggest.
I'm late on this one but I had the same problems everything checked out ok except the radiator and yes the common fault with the early model appears to have come true with mine the Rad core has collapsed. Ive asked the main dealer to talk to Ducati (2011 bike 8.5k on the clock) to see if they think its normal for this to happen on such a low mileage bike and maybe be a bit sensible on the cost of a new one. We'll see and I'll update accordingly happy kin days!!
Seems hellbof a coincidence that the cooling was fine until the coolant change. My first port of call would be air in the system. Air expands with heat and could give the hard hoses you describe. Do you have a workshop manual? If so, try following the procedure described in there. Iirc, for my 999, you are supposed to run the engine at over 100c for several minutes.
I've managed to get to the bottom of it. Orginially I had an airlock, so that caused the rapid temp rise, sorted that and the temps seemed to run in the right range. I have since had the throttle cables rub through the top of the rad ( see side note ), catching the first tube. So I have drained the system again, and removed the rad to fix that, whilst i was doing that i noticew the center of the rad was full of caked in mud stopping about 20% of the rad working. So i will be removing it again and getting a needle to remove all the crud in it. Side Note: Does anybody know the official fix for this, as there is a recall for it, but after checking with my local ducati dealer, they tell me it's been done and that they can't tell me the official fix in case i sue them.
