my multi 1200s has become hard to start from cold and this morning the was fluid on the front cylinder exhaust studs ,on closer inspection after tasting it was coolant.i took a picture of the inside of the cylinder from the spark plug hole ,it looks alittle damp in there this can`t be good.hopefully i have attached the picture so you can see, any ideas
Some 2011 models also had porous heads. My 2010 had had the coolant changed to the pink stuff but it still developed a leak into the horizontal head exhaust port.
Many threads on this much-discussed topic. Try this one: 1200 - Smoking From Top Of The Cylinder Head | Ducati Forum
oh cock from the descriptions and the video its the same as mine. looks like new heads then no warranty and no dealer how expensive is this going to be?
May be worth a chat to a dealer, see if Ducati have done some of the work/all under warranty with such a low milege. what you got to lose, I have read a few stories that Ducati have honored work out of warranty, assuming it has a decent service history.
it has full service history it came second hand from moto rapido last year and is dew a oil change any time now
Then take it back to MotoRapido as soon as possible and get a new pair of heads fitted. Try and get Ducati UK to pay for the parts - which they probably will - but you may have to stump up for oil, fluids and service parts.
Just make sure the service is current, if it is not they may decline. Even if you end up paying for labour it's worth it.
spoken to the dealer today, they said it would`nt be a head problem but an head gasket and quoted £650 parts and £1400 labour and can`t do anything until after the 20th of october also the would be no help from ducati,so the afternoon i started to remove the front cylinder head to find out what is exactly the problem.
18 hours @£65 per hour plus vat labour,to change the head gaskets that probably wont cure the problem ?
Agree with bradders,you have a full service history,the bike is from one of the most reputable dealers,and I feel that if this looks like a known problem then Ducati should be sympathetic. It seems that in general Ducati have been more than generous in helping solve issues that fall out of warranty on well looked after bikes. I do feel they are making an effort on improving customer services recently,especially with such important bikes that will be the backbone of Ducati for years to come,namely the Mutley.
Don't hold your breath. If the bike's out of warranty, they'll replace the parts out of goodwill if you're lucky, but you'll have to stump up for the labour, which will be steep, as already pointed out. This was my experience only last week, when trying to make a case that engine internals (main bearings) should not be failing after 22500 miles of mostly motorway riding. I'm £1300 out of pocket, and Ducati after-sales wouldn't budge. I'm now riding in constant fear of the next thing that might fail.
I would certainly try another Dealer, and talk to them over the phone, and then Ducati direct. that is a lot of money for a problem on a bike not that old, and 17k miles
Not half! Even at £70 an hour that would be 20 hours labour. To change the head gasket on the horizontal head, I don't believe that. Ducati Glasgow changed both heads on my bike. I dropped it off on Tuesday Lunchtime and it was ready for Friday morning. Much more work in less time. £650 for parts? For a head gasket, a few smaller gaskets and seals, coolant and oil and filter. £300 tops. Somebody's taking the piss.
