Oil Bath

Styler · Nov 18, 2012

With a little over 4,500 miles on the clock, the bike started blowing oil from the engine and onto the rear wheel, dripping onto the pipes.
At first I thought it was the rear cylinder; but since there is oil on top of the rear head above the gasket, it is likely blowing from the front cylinder.
Well, considering my dealer is 350 miles away, yesterday was probably the last ride on the Ducati for 2012.
Anybody have something like this happen?

supduc10 · Nov 18, 2012

Thats running down the side of the head and everywhere. I had a problem with a breather pipe between the V of the engine,you can see it by looking through the left hand side,a tiny outlet atop the crankcase with a rubber hose attached with a clip. My clip was loose,but oil was pooling slightly and running off down on the left side,not on the right as on your bike. Just get a torch man and follow the trail. Up and up look for the shine of oil,ya should get an idea were its coming from. Looking at the way it has streaked,its started running down then backwards,probably from wind as you have been riding. Dont forget,oil dont travel up hill,so start at bottom. Hopefully something simple you can fix yourself.

Styler · Nov 18, 2012

Thanks for note and advice.
I'll put the rear wheel back on my Speed Triple an get the Ducati onto the lift in its place for some exploratory work.

lardawge · Nov 18, 2012

Check the center bolt of the front valve cover. I had a similar experience on the rear valve cover and the thing started pouring oil as it got looser.

supduc10 · Nov 18, 2012

If you have trouble spotting the leak. Clean off as best you can then start bike up,making sure its got oil in it first,obviously. See if there is any oil spray anywhere,coming out under pressure. There is a water cooled,oil cooler on the right hand side of engine. More towards the front of engine and just above the header pipe. A pin hole in that could cause a oil jet to squirt in any direction.

elitesoldier357 · Nov 18, 2012

If this was your last ride for 2012, why not drop it off at your dealer and have them cover it under warranty? Granted its a ways away. Do you have some way to get it there? If you have a truck and trailer, you can get your gas bill reimbursed by Ducati roadside service. Send in your receipts to them, your dealer should have the contact info, I'd recommend scanning and emailing, then they will reimburse you. I had my top cylinder leaking a little oil on mine as well. They fixed it right up for me. Hope this helps!

Styler · Nov 18, 2012

Thanks everyone; I will try and look at this over US Thanksgiving. It was not supposed to be my last ride of the season on the Ducati; however, if I wait to have the dealer fix it it likely will be (since getting there is most of a day.
Anyway, I'll ride my Speed Triple while I figure this one out or wait for an opportunity to get the bike back to the dealer for service.

killthrash · Nov 19, 2012

supduc10 said:
Thats running down the side of the head and everywhere. I had a problem with a breather pipe between the V of the engine,you can see it by looking through the left hand side,a tiny outlet atop the crankcase with a rubber hose attached with a clip. My clip was loose,but oil was pooling slightly and running off down on the left side,not on the right as on your bike. Just get a torch man and follow the trail. Up and up look for the shine of oil,ya should get an idea were its coming from. Looking at the way it has streaked,its started running down then backwards,probably from wind as you have been riding. Dont forget,oil dont travel up hill,so start at bottom. Hopefully something simple you can fix yourself.

This exact thing happened to me and another guy I know who has an 1199. It's a faulty clamp on the fluid return hose between the air box and the crank case. Mine was spitting oil after the 5th session of a pretty intense track day.

My dealer put on an aftermarket clamp, seems to be holding fine. Warranty covered of course.

Goodluck.

Styler · Dec 25, 2012

I had the bike serviced by the dealer last week. The valve cover bolts had vibrated loose on the rear cylinder and so the bike was blowing oil from the gasket. Same thing was happening from the front cylinder, but it had not gone as far and was only weeping oil at this point. The dealer replaced gaskets, torqued everything up and recommended I do another once over in another 3,000 miles or so to make sure nothing has vibrated loose again. It was either not torqued properly at the factory or has vibrated loose over the last 4,500 miles.
Anyhow, all is good now. I also had the new map installed for the full system installed. I have had only about 40 miles riding it the other day, visiting the shops and getting stocking stuffers before Christmas, but the bike appears to fuel better at slower speeds around town.

Oil Bath

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