Red Fluid On Garage Floor

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by J33lus, Jul 11, 2022.

  1. Hi all. Have a 2015 1299 Panigale. Took it out last week for a ride and been standing on the paddock stand ever since in the garage.
    Noticed some pink/reddish fluid on the garage floor. Feels slightly oily to the touch no smell.
    Been sitting in about 25 degrees as heat builds up in there. Was serviced recently at ducati by previous owner. Only bought it two weeks ago and haven't started it since.

    Looks like it dripping out between the fairing at the bottom in front of the exhaust, but can't see where it originates.

    Any ideas what it could be?
     
  2. Brake fluid, at what position has it dripped or collected in.

    Photo's are good'

    Make yourself an album if you haven't already & upload & share away.
     
  3.  
  4. Coolant maybe? My 1199s bottom radiator leaked right at the bottom on a seam.
     
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  5. Sounds like coolant to me.
     
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  6. Coolant or time of the Month for the temperamental beastie?
     
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  7. Coolant.
     
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  8. Diesel. Red diesel you little rascal…
     
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  9. I assume you've not popped the fairings off to get a better look:thinkingface:
    Maybe now's the time to peep under the covers...
     
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  10. Don't these fluids have some kind of colour-coding these days ?

    Blue for coolant , red for ATF , yellowish for brake fluid ?

    Or did I just imagine that ?
    ..... it's entirely possible !

    :)
     
  11. Unfortunately coolant comes in a variety of colours these days depending on the manufacturer :( Although it’s true silicon (dot5) and non silicon (dot 3, 4, 5.1) based brake fluids are different colours so the unwary doesn’t mix them and destroy their efficacy.

    I can’t comment on ATF.
     
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  12. Yeah the differing colours is great in mostly Black bottles from my experience for brake and clutch fluid. :confused:
    Sure I read somewhere that Brake/Clutch fluid degrades in sunlight, which puzzles me as on my KTM the reservoir is clear.:thinkingface:
     
  13. That’s coolant in the picture, probably just pushed a bit out of the overflow.
     
  14. The organic coolant ducks like, is red. Well, mine is.
     
  15. My vote for hardened/dirty seal of the radiator cap. But some tissue around cap and let bike idle until fans goes on.
     
  16. Maybe check the coolant expansion tank .....see if it was filled too much during its recent service ....
     
  17. Agreed. I'd be stripping the fairing off to check for tightness of the coolant hose clamps.
     
  18. Echo all the above mate. That looks like coolant to me.
    Pop off the fairing on the side of the expansion tank and have a look.
    Just on a side note, I dont know if others have experienced this but I will mention it anyway.
    My 1299 S was a 2015 model and for coolant, oil changes, etc.. it was closer for me to use a good indie garage instead of main dealer.
    When we flushed the coolant and replaced it with fresh stuff, this particular garage used motul organic+ coolant. Instead of the official stuff Ducati use.
    Now usually if the brand is reputable like Motul, im happy with this.
    But... about 2 weeks later I found a small puddle/blob sort of where you describe. Dripping ever so slightly. Really slowly.
    I traced the leak back to a hose that didnt appear damaged in any way.. So i just tighten the clip as over time it could of come loose. And kept an eye on it.
    The leak persisted. I checked countless things, expansion tank etc.... Lots of checklists. But to no avail.
    In the end I spoke with a Ducati tech I know and trust.
    He said that specifically the Motul coolant has a higher lever of an oil based additive, and it soaks into the hoses like a sponge and then some may leak. Only the Motul Organic coolant however.
    Initially I was very dubious. Very. But this Tech is not a Bullshi**er.
    Also, I was at my wits end.
    So, I reflushed the coolant completely and bought the stuff that Ducati use. From ducati just to be sure.
    And it stopped leaking.... I had no more blobs, dribbles, nothing.
    I cant say that the Motul coolant was to blame. But it does *appear*so.
    Just thought to share that story in case anyone ever has the same issue as I did.
     
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  19. Useful - thanks. Can you remember the official (current) Ducati product name,etc as I wouldn't trust the recommendation in my 2018 owner's manual to be up to date...?
     
  20. Sure, the brand is ENI, its red. and it looks like this:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283201743298
     
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