Coolant on radiator

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ConorMac

ConorMac

Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Messages
13
Location
Ireland
Hi Guys
I have a 2015, 1299.
I've been having heating issues on my last few rides. i noticed the temp increasing even while moving along in cool air flow (in Ireland after all).
So after further inspection i noticed what looks like coolant on the outside of the lower radiator.
I removed the fairings and took some pics (I know the bike needs a good clean :)

Rad01.jpg
Rad02.jpg
Rad03.jpg
Rad04.jpg
Rad05.jpg
Rad06.jpg
Rad07.jpg

Anyway, I cant see any obvious leaking points, loose clamps on the hoses, pin holes etc.
I haven't ran the bike yet with the fairings off to see if the leak point is more obvious.

As you can see coolant is visible on the sides and outside of the lower radiator.
Hoping that someone has seen this before and can short circuit the diagnosis .
Thanks for any help.
 
Get some radiator screens before you get a new radiator. That might just save you from debris putting holes in a new one.
 
You don’t need a 3000 dollar race radiator for street riding in your location. Just some good screens.
 
I guess it depends what Ducati is trying to charge for an OEM radiator assembly.
 
Thanks all for the help guys. I'll look around for a lower radiator and do the swap out.
 
“A bit expensive” more like Really F*cking expensive! Idk what the OEM one costs.
Good luck. Keep us posted
 
ConorMac said:
Thanks all for the help guys. I'll look around for a lower radiator and do the swap out.
Click to expand...

Better trace down the leak first before u buy anything. It might aswell be a loose hoseclamp.

But definitely get some radiator guards! I have the evotech on mine. Looks great and protects the radiators.
 
Nazar said:
Better trace down the leak first before u buy anything. It might aswell be a loose hoseclamp.

But definitely get some radiator guards! I have the evotech on mine. Looks great and protects the radiators.
Click to expand...
Agreed... locate the source of the leak and then decide how to proceed. As there seems to be traces of coolant everywhere on the lower radiator, are you sure the source of the leak doesn't originate from somewhere above (the upper radiator, the radiator cap, heat exchanger or reservoir lines)? I've had coolant leaks before (who hasn't?), but I've never seen deposits like the ones shown. What's the coolant inside of the radiator look like?
 
Khmer1199 said:
Agreed... locate the source of the leak and then decide how to proceed. As there seems to be traces of coolant everywhere on the lower radiator, are you sure the source of the leak doesn't originate from somewhere above (the upper radiator, the radiator cap, heat exchanger or reservoir lines)? I've had coolant leaks before (who hasn't?), but I've never seen deposits like the ones shown. What's the coolant inside of the radiator look like?
Click to expand...
Thanks Khmer119. Yes, not purchasing anything (except the guards) before i locate the issue. I haven't drained the coolant out yet to have a look. Looking through the manual, it looks like i have to remove the exhaust silencer, before dropping the whole radiator unit (top, bottom fan etc)? Is it possible to remove the lower rad without having to remove the whole assembly?
 
With regards to the layout of the cooling system, I believe the 1299 is very similar to the 1199, in which case, the answer is "yes," and as a side note, the silencers will not have to be disturbed. Remove the left/right side fairings (upper/lower), drain the radiator, run a bungee cord over the top of the airbox to support the upper radiator, separate the fuel vent hose, coolant overflow line, etc. from the air extractor, remove the quick-release fasteners (2) that connect the radiator mounting bracket and the mudflap (under the headlight assembly) to one another, remove the fasteners (2) which hold the radiator mounting bracket to the bottom of the airbox (this will allow the assembly to be pushed forward slightly so as to access the lower radiator's upper left-hand side fastener), remove the fasteners (2) which hold the radiator mounting bracket to the horizontal cylinder head, remove the rear fastener holding the air extractor to the oil pan, remove the forward fastener holding the air extractor to the bottom of the radiator mounting bracket, remove the upper fasteners (2) holding the air extractor/lower radiator to the radiator mounting bracket (as mentioned above, pushing the radiator mounting bracket assembly forward slightly will allow access to the upper left-hand side fastener), remove the air extractor, remove the coolant hose from the left-hand side of the radiator, and loosen the coolant hose clamps on the right-hand side of the radiator. In other words, the short coolant hose on the right-hand side should have the clamps at each end loosened, as you may, or may not, be able to separate the short section of hose from the radiator. Loosening both clamps will allow you to work the lower radiator upward slightly so that the tab at the bottom of the radiator can be released from the bottom of the radiator mounting bracket. Once the radiator has been released, separate it from the coolant hose. Now, having said all that, as you still haven't identified the source of the leak, you may still end up having to pull the whole works anyway.
 
Khmer1199 said:
With regards to the layout of the cooling system, I believe the 1299 is very similar to the 1199, in which case, the answer is "yes," and as a side note, the silencers will not have to be disturbed. Remove the left/right side fairings (upper/lower), drain the radiator, run a bungee cord over the top of the airbox to support the upper radiator, separate the fuel vent hose, coolant overflow line, etc. from the air extractor, remove the quick-release fasteners (2) that connect the radiator mounting bracket and the mudflap (under the headlight assembly) to one another, remove the fasteners (2) which hold the radiator mounting bracket to the bottom of the airbox (this will allow the assembly to be pushed forward slightly so as to access the lower radiator's upper left-hand side fastener), remove the fasteners (2) which hold the radiator mounting bracket to the horizontal cylinder head, remove the rear fastener holding the air extractor to the oil pan, remove the forward fastener holding the air extractor to the bottom of the radiator mounting bracket, remove the upper fasteners (2) holding the air extractor/lower radiator to the radiator mounting bracket (as mentioned above, pushing the radiator mounting bracket assembly forward slightly will allow access to the upper left-hand side fastener), remove the air extractor, remove the coolant hose from the left-hand side of the radiator, and loosen the coolant hose clamps on the right-hand side of the radiator. In other words, the short coolant hose on the right-hand side should have the clamps at each end loosened, as you may, or may not, be able to separate the short section of hose from the radiator. Loosening both clamps will allow you to work the lower radiator upward slightly so that the tab at the bottom of the radiator can be released from the bottom of the radiator mounting bracket. Once the radiator has been released, separate it from the coolant hose. Now, having said all that, as you still haven't identified the source of the leak, you may still end up having to pull the whole works anyway.
Click to expand...
Thats impressive - sounds like you might have done this before :).
As you say, i could go through all that and the issue might be somewhere else in the system. So i bit the bullet and I got stuck in last night and removed the silencer and the exhaust valve cable (that was a bit tricky with the corrosion). I drained the coolant and i'm glad to report it looks the same as when it went in.
Annotation 2020-06-16 121536.jpg
So i'll drop the whole unit next and update.
Thanks
 
ConorMac said:
Thats impressive - sounds like you might have done this before :).
As you say, i could go through all that and the issue might be somewhere else in the system. So i bit the bullet and I got stuck in last night and removed the silencer and the exhaust valve cable (that was a bit tricky with the corrosion). I drained the coolant and i'm glad to report it looks the same as when it went in.
View attachment 32104
So i'll drop the whole unit next and update.
Thanks
Click to expand...
It's good that the coolant doesn't reveal any anomalies. Let us know how you make out... good luck!
 

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