Do all Italians dribble?

[rustycharm]

Thought I'd solicit some 'expert' advice before trucking the 749 off to the workshop.
Have a slightly odd niggle in that when the Ducati's perched on the paddock stands in a vertical position it leaks a very small amount of oil which seems to originate around the top of the sprocket cover and works its way down to end up on the exhaust.. (just a few drips)
Strangely it doesnt seem to do it when the bikes on its normal stand which I presume drops the oil level below the leak point.

Anyone heard of this particular issue with the 03/04 - 749's

Thought I'd ask before starting the process of replacing the various seals and gaskets

[sinfull]

ditch the paddock stand for a start !

[Sparky Bills]

Check your Clutch Slave cylinder seals.
Very common for them to start leaking.
You should be able to get a seal kit to fix the problem from Haldanes. If not, pm me and ill sort you out
If all else fails, sell the bike and buy a new 848

[yod]

Heinous problem.
Of course,
No-one knows why
Ducati's do this
All the time

[rustycharm]

Check your Clutch Slave cylinder seals.
Very common for them to start leaking.
You should be able to get a seal kit to fix the problem from Haldanes. If not, pm me and ill sort you out
If all else fails, sell the bike and buy a new 848

Wouldn't it be clutch fluid leaking?? - have checked and its definately oil.

I'll post some pics of what looks like the source of the leak tomorrow

[rustycharm]

Heinous problem.
Of course,
No-one knows why
Ducati's do this
All the time

Some call me crazy for selling the 07 yami R6 for a bike with more 'character'

[yod]

at least you can say you owned a duc at some point in your life

i have to admit i've been tempted.....

[rustycharm]

at least you can say you owned a duc at some point in your life

i have to admit i've been tempted.....

well you kinda got it in one. Plus .. theres a sexy red machine in the garage that well... just isnt japanese.

As age and a sense of preservaton sets in.. the slightly longer wheelbase makes it much more stable and predictable on the road than the balls out rice rockets. ... oh and I discovered torque too!!

[yod]

the slightly longer wheelbase makes it much more stable and predictable on the road than the balls out rice rockets. ... oh and I discovered torque too!!

so you haven't tried a blackbird then?

[rustycharm]

so you haven't tried a blackbird then?

Not yet ... but there is still time!

[johan]

Thought I'd solicit some 'expert' advice before trucking the 749 off to the workshop.
Have a slightly odd niggle in that when the Ducati's perched on the paddock stands in a vertical position it leaks a very small amount of oil which seems to originate around the top of the sprocket cover and works its way down to end up on the exhaust.. (just a few drips)
Strangely it doesnt seem to do it when the bikes on its normal stand which I presume drops the oil level below the leak point.

Anyone heard of this particular issue with the 03/04 - 749's

Thought I'd ask before starting the process of replacing the various seals and gaskets

Here are a few random things to check:

Make sure the engine oil level is not over the Max Line. My understanding is you should be around the mid level on non deep sump testastretta engines.

Check the oil breather. There might be a small leak from it. Also check the airbox for oil. If it's spitting oil from the breather you might be overfilled with oil (or doing a lot of wheelies or revving high).

Or worse, an over tightened chain has worn out the counter shaft bearing and it's leaking.

Take the sprocket cover off, give the sprocket area a good clean. You could put some powder around the area where you think it's leaking to track it down more easily.

good luck

[AllanB]

Cover it in flour and look for the damp spot.............

[rustycharm]

Here are a few random things to check:

Make sure the engine oil level is not over the Max Line. My understanding is you should be around the mid level on non deep sump testastretta engines.

Check the oil breather. There might be a small leak from it. Also check the airbox for oil. If it's spitting oil from the breather you might be overfilled with oil (or doing a lot of wheelies or revving high).

Or worse, an over tightened chain has worn out the counter shaft bearing and it's leaking.

Take the sprocket cover off, give the sprocket area a good clean. You could put some powder around the area where you think it's leaking to track it down more easily.

good luck

Now we're getting somewhere..... looks like a good excuse to hide in the garage for the morning!

[The Pastor]

yeah, this is what you buy when you pay the extra for a ducati

Count your self lucky it just a very minor oil leak.

[McJim]

I had an oil leak from my Ducati (Yeah yeah, I know I just have a cheap ol' one but at least it's not from the land of the ricing sun) that was caused by a previous owner who snapped the chain and had it wrap itself around the front sprocket thus bursting the engine casing. Previous owner then kindly fixed the hole with bog and painted the bog silver before I bought the bike.

Needless to say bog didn't last and the leak started. Of course this has since been repaired with an altogether more suitable material known as Aluminium and the leak is gone.

Not saying this is your problem but can be worth a look among other things.