What bloody idiot desiged that radiator?

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Daveiggy

Daveiggy

Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
64
Location
UK
5 mins to change spark plug 1, 5 hours to change spark plug 2. had to dismantle half of the front of the bike to get the radiator out of the way. All it needed was 30mm oval in the bottom of the radiator, followed all the guides that say you can do it through the service hole, but no chance on my early 2012 panigale. Thankfully its done now and firing on both cylnders again.
 
Yer don’t follow the advice on ducati.org that you can get the spark plug out of that service hole.

Broke the lead and there $120 aud for one lead

I think originally it must of but they had to make the top radiator bigger and couldn’t be f*cked altering moulds.
 
Halo2 said:
Yer don’t follow the advice on ducati.org that you can get the spark plug out of that service hole.

Broke the lead and there $120 aud for one lead

I think originally it must of but they had to make the top radiator bigger and couldn’t be f*cked altering moulds.
Click to expand...

I managed to make it work by using the guide on Ducati.org.
That being said, it was still a major pain in the ass and required a bunch of pushing/pulling/cursing.
If that hole was just a little bigger, hell, 1/2" would've made a huge difference.

That being said, if I ever have to do it again, I'll just drop the radiator. Idiotic design on Ducati's part.
 
Would like to know how you did it because the shaft snapped in half getting it out the hole

Also if you want to test a spark plug lead it won't work with a normal multimeter you have to use a megger.
Apply voltage and should get a dead short.
 
Last edited:
The first time I changed the horizontal plug on the 1199 I managed to get it through the access hole... but yes, it was truly a pain as mentioned above. You quickly realize that something's not right. On subsequent plug changes I've approached it differently, removing the side fairings, mudflap, radiator mounting bracket/holder, etc. The radiators do not have to be removed. Granted, it's a good bit of work but at least you don't have to fight with the bike to get the job done. With a few design changes Ducati could have made this job much easier.
 
when will you guys learn this is done on purpose so you DONT do the work yourself. all of it oil change coolant change spark plug change they take 10 min jobs and make them over an hour long. they want you to say f this ill take it to the dealer.
 
@Halo2

The imbecile that wrote that hypothesized that you could get it out. He certainly did not. You will break the plug wire off if you try and then the socket will NOT fit.

BUT...NOLA to the rescue.

So I sat there for a while looking at it and the stupid access hole. AND I documented this with photos so I could show them later. Told the Master Ducati tech's in my area and they had never even thought of this.

Take the fairings off, drain the radiator fluid from the lower drain hole. Take upper radiator hoses off, unbolt the upper radiator from the plastic main holder, and if you tilt it backwards and pull it down out of the little plastic tabs at the top, and shove it straight up (CAREFUL of the fins, they have millimeters of clearance to a little metal part on the interior of the radiator (non wheel side), you will totally open up enough space at the access port to pull the plug wire out and then slide an AutoZone thin walled socket into the hole and get the plug out. Turns 1.5 hours into 35 min and you don't have to disassemble any of the front end, wheel, or mufflers.

When you slide the radiator up look at the top there are two little tab guides that you can pull the top out of and slide the radiator up (once released from the tabs) and it gives you clearance on the front to get the plug out.

Simple. I'll try and find photos of me doing it, but it works. I shoulda made a write up when I did it for a "sticky" on here.

NOLA.
 
Wow, if you could do a write up with pictures that would be awesome!! Sometimes these bikes can be very frustrating to work on and every "trick" you can learn helps. Thanks.
 
Pics

NOLA
 

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Do you know what's the measurement of the socket for the plug? (MM and length)

NOLA said:
@Halo2

The imbecile that wrote that hypothesized that you could get it out. He certainly did not. You will break the plug wire off if you try and then the socket will NOT fit.

BUT...NOLA to the rescue.

So I sat there for a while looking at it and the stupid access hole. AND I documented this with photos so I could show them later. Told the Master Ducati tech's in my area and they had never even thought of this.

Take the fairings off, drain the radiator fluid from the lower drain hole. Take upper radiator hoses off, unbolt the upper radiator from the plastic main holder, and if you tilt it backwards and pull it down out of the little plastic tabs at the top, and shove it straight up (CAREFUL of the fins, they have millimeters of clearance to a little metal part on the interior of the radiator (non wheel side), you will totally open up enough space at the access port to pull the plug wire out and then slide an AutoZone thin walled socket into the hole and get the plug out. Turns 1.5 hours into 35 min and you don't have to disassemble any of the front end, wheel, or mufflers.

When you slide the radiator up look at the top there are two little tab guides that you can pull the top out of and slide the radiator up (once released from the tabs) and it gives you clearance on the front to get the plug out.

Simple. I'll try and find photos of me doing it, but it works. I shoulda made a write up when I did it for a "sticky" on here.

NOLA.
Click to expand...
 
@rrgermanlv

I only have one or two sockets thats arent my usual brand. So i am 99% that this is the one I used.

AutoZone part 72-376

Its a 14mm spark plug socket.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...-extra-thin-wall-spark-plug-socket/750016_0_0

If I recall correctly I had a long extension and a shorter stubby one. Put the long one on it to get the socket down the hole and then with it halfway down, attached the shorter stubby one. That gives you enough length to get it started and not have to take the wheel off. Then you can put the shorter extension on it to give it the full length down to the plug. If you have an extendable magnet you might need it to go down the hole and pull the plug up if it falls off the socket. It didnt for me, but I am covering everything I can think of.

Trust me, this will turn 1.5 hours and whole lower dissassembly, to 30 min and just move the radiator a bit up and change the plug.

NOLA
 
Last edited:
@Halo2

Neither have I, hence the long a$$ post below.

Cool. Fit that underseat spark plug tool in the access port and tell us all how that works for ya.

NOLA.
 
With your method it doesn't work?

From memory I unbolted the rad shroud at the top, got the supplied tool in from left side.
Wasn't half hour
 
As previously mentioned, the radiator does not have to be removed, nor do the hoses. Separate the radiator mounting bracket/holder from the upper and lower radiators and remove the holder. Only the small hose leading to the coolant expansion reservoir on the holder has to be disconnected. Position the hose upright while removing the holder and there will be no coolant loss. With the holder removed you can easily service the horizontal plug.

A small piece of electrical tape applied over the end of the socket will prevent the plug from dropping out during installation and removal.
 
Last edited:
So Tried Nolas method, and there was just not enough room, had hoses disconnected and still couldn't get it to work. At that point taking the 2 allen screws of the rad housing and dropping it made life easier. What a fkn pain in the ass.

A 9/16 long I think worked perfect. my 14 was impact and wouldn't fit
 
NOLA said:
@Halo2

The imbecile that wrote that hypothesized that you could get it out. He certainly did not. You will break the plug wire off if you try and then the socket will NOT fit.

BUT...NOLA to the rescue.

So I sat there for a while looking at it and the stupid access hole. AND I documented this with photos so I could show them later. Told the Master Ducati tech's in my area and they had never even thought of this.

Take the fairings off, drain the radiator fluid from the lower drain hole. Take upper radiator hoses off, unbolt the upper radiator from the plastic main holder, and if you tilt it backwards and pull it down out of the little plastic tabs at the top, and shove it straight up (CAREFUL of the fins, they have millimeters of clearance to a little metal part on the interior of the radiator (non wheel side), you will totally open up enough space at the access port to pull the plug wire out and then slide an AutoZone thin walled socket into the hole and get the plug out. Turns 1.5 hours into 35 min and you don't have to disassemble any of the front end, wheel, or mufflers.

When you slide the radiator up look at the top there are two little tab guides that you can pull the top out of and slide the radiator up (once released from the tabs) and it gives you clearance on the front to get the plug out.

Simple. I'll try and find photos of me doing it, but it works. I shoulda made a write up when I did it for a "sticky" on here.

NOLA.
Click to expand...
Thx for this but how doe we remove or losen the top radiator clamp? It’s behind the plastic panel that holds the coil with wires that make moving it very difficult....... I had half the bike apart bottom rad out bit I could still not get to it? Also the bolt in the fan assembly bottom one how does it come out ? No space for a tool ?.. It’s the small Allen cap ..tempted to drill a small hole from the rear
 

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