Radiator guards and cam cover leak

Re- worked my radiator guards, before I had them clipped in place externally which worked out OK, but wanted to see if I could make a better job. The bottom one is folded to the shape then the sides and top folds are siliconed to the cowl, the top one as its not so visually important is cut to fit the rad then 2 ties at the bottom and some rubber edging to protect the rad surface.
Maybe if you are selling your bike and have damaged rads then this is the answer, cause to check you have to remove the whole lot!
Mine aren't damaged by the way, but also not selling no money for the 1299 or the even better 1199R!

Also did the leak that I asked the dealer to find and fix, but they told me it was Ducati making a mess when they built the engine, it was leaking from cam cover bottom left side, remove, clean surfaces and gasket (both sides) with solvent, I smear some top quality silicon sealer on both sides of the gasket and on the sealing ring of the plug cap, torque to 10nm. If anyone wants more detail drop me a line.

Very nice job. Did you re-mount the radiator already? Did you need to file- off some plastic as needed with the cox guards?

Gecko said:

Very nice job. Did you re-mount the radiator already? Did you need to file- off some plastic as needed with the cox guards?

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I shaved only a little off each side for the bottom, the top I didn't need, I haven't seen how the Cox one fit, mucking around with this keeps me out off trouble!

You don't by chance have pics of the repairs you made to the cam cover leak do you? I'm taking my bike in to have the leak fixed for the 3rd time. At this point, I'm starting to think I need to become a mechanic to keep this bike around considering that my warranty is about to run out in a few months.

MikeLee7 said:

You don't by chance have pics of the repairs you made to the cam cover leak do you? I'm taking my bike in to have the leak fixed for the 3rd time. At this point, I'm starting to think I need to become a mechanic to keep this bike around considering that my warranty is about to run out in a few months.

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I'm a Ag/ construction machine mechanic, we get this on new machines often, to repair it once and for all, it takes patience and time. why I listed solvent and sealant, the oil collects inside left side bottom of the cover and if the seal is not 100% will slightly leak and blow back across the engine and battery area (my finger), when the cover is removed oil will still run off the internal components onto the seal area, if the cover removed soon after running, so dont!

Best time to do is when the engine has sat idle for a time (mine a week and cold temperatures), then the oil is cold so then when you remove the cover all that comes out is what has already drained off the cams etc. and the cold residue oil the rest stays in place, if you refit the gasket on a oil contaminated surface it will leak again.

I clean with solvent, (nail polish remover will do) then I use silicon sealant, top quality, very small amount smeared both sides of the gasket, any traces of oil it will leak so check the seal surface for oil running down after you have cleaned it with solvent, (Ducati use a bit of sealant on the left side half moons of the cover, remove it) fit gasket to the cover, check again for oil, fit cover, screws and tighten down diagonally and evenly the 5 screws, then finish off at 10nm torque, the screws come from the factory with loctite on, I did not use loctite because the screws have screws going into the tops which hold a cable harness and the radiator cowling (see pic), these secondary screws also act as a lock so there is no chance that the cover screws can vibrate and turn loose, loctite can be a pain when removing components so I only use it when it needs it. It did not use a new rubber gasket, check yours for damage, small marks is the job of the sealer to take care of, but if unsure renew it. Access is also important, the radiators needs t be removed, completely not just disconnect at the bottom and pulled forward. couple of photos of how the bike should be to do the job right, half moon lugs also shown and my finger points the area that is prone to leaking.
Let me know if you need any more info, I think I covered all, print this and take it to the dealer, Im 48 and been doing this since a boy, never worked in Mc Donalds, ive been and a service manager all over the world since 91.