Valve Check 999

I used to think that slack belts would retard the cam timing but when I got thinking about I realised that the side of the belt opposite the tensioner is always in tension while the engine is turning. So, unless the belts actually stretch, the distance between the teeth remains the same so the timing isn't altered. If the belts do stretch it can only be by a thou or two over their length which wouldn't alter the timing by any measurable amount. Any change in tension with use is more likely to be due to wear on the teeth rather than stretching.
So in answer to the original question, I don't believe that belt tension will affect cold starting

 

If the bearings are good, maybe an apprentice has rotated the tensioner the wrong way, so the belts touch and the tension can never be sufficient or just maybe those belts are not new...
In the light of what Derek says, shouldn't affect starting though.

 

Poor starting: I would be looking at valve clearances. Very straightforward to do a Compression check, and this might show up poor valve seating which might be contributing to the cold start problems.

 

Assuming the valves were adjusted correctly!
A compression test could confirm good compression and no leakage.
Might have a damaged valve seat or valve damage.

 

Did the garage change your fuel filter as well?

 

Leak down test would identify if or what valves are not seating.. but If they were lazy, either they did not check them, in which case it should run as well as it did before, or they checked them and they were ok-ish so left them alone.. should run as well as did.

If they did adjust them I am sure they would have carried out a proper job.

I only know Japanese bikes (sorry) I'm told Ducatis are different but I've even not looked at mine yet. Japense bikes it's too much work to adjust the clearances to not do it properly, you'd be adding clearance not taking it away.. If you had to take cams out to do it (when I have no idea about on these bikes) they could (with a Japanese bike) change the intake to exhaust cam timing or relationship to the crank (but I don't know with Dukes the procedure yet).

If they did your belts are they out 1 tooth? Can they even be out 1 tooth on a Ducati without serious issues, valve to piston clearances?

I am sure you will sort it, you have my sympathy. I've paid a premium for work and had to put it right... I don't enjoy doing things but often have to for piece of mind.

Not all professionals are the same and not all enthusiasts are either...

I'd much sooner have people I've known personally work on my bikes than some of those with big workshops. In fact I'd trust engineers I've worked with who don't work on bikes before I'd trust some garages. I've had a proper argument with a company owner / dyno operator before, what a bunch of insert word.

 

It sounds like bullshit to me Creamy, why wouldn't they tick the valve clearance box if they'd checked em. Those covers show no signs of being removed, old flaky sealant why wasn't it cleaned off and where's the new sealant. It even looks like there's road grime sat on top in the middle which hasn't been disturbed. So if those covers haven't been off then there's no way they've checked em.

 

Why not give yourself piece of mind and just use some feeler gauges to check yourself?

If you can do the belts then you should deffo be able to at least check and even adjust the valves yourself. That way you'll obviate the doubt you've now got.

 

Those belts looks suspiciously like they are not brand new belts!

There is no need to remove the heads to check the valve clearances, although it is easier and more convenient to do so. It's highly unlikely that they would have removed the heads anyway to check the clearances.

In my experience, and from what I have gleaned from having issues with a highly respected dealer know by many on this forum.

The vertical cylinder's clearances are checked first, ( as it runs hotter and is therefore more likely to be out of tolerance than the cooler running horizontal cylinder ) If these are within tolerance, from the mechanics experience then the horizontal cylinder is assumed to be within spec too! Bad practice I know, especially considering you are paying for both cylinders valves to be checked.
Not saying this is what has happened, but something to consider and add more anxiety!

A very quick way to check what is happening in each cylinder and won't cost you anything, and will give you some peace of mind, is to do a compression/leak test on both cylinders as I have previously mentioned.

 

That is idling quite low you know. Sure it doesn't just need a tps reset?

 

You don't need a video Creamy it's a fairly straightforward & simple job, the biggest job will be removing other bits & pieces to give you good access and that shouldn't be difficult. You don't need to remove the heads, you can give her a good old clean while your at it. I'd wait while winter sets in we all need a good "how to" thread to get us through the dark dismal evenings

 

Chin up Creamy. I too have been the victim of a shitty 'so called' Ducati expert and wasted over a grand! JHS if anyone is interested I took my 749s to Louigi in the end who laughed at the previous work and put it right, a quick dyno session and she is running pucker. If you are close enough take it to a respected ducatiforum.co.uk specialist and you will be very happy mate.