I think I know the answer but would like your opinions. MTS 1200 PP 2011. I have no visible steam/vapour coming from cylinder heads but on start up whether cold or hot I have smoke /steam coming from the end can with a visible vapour collecting on rear tyre. Happens at every start up if left for more than 10 minutes . Also coolant in the header tank has been near the bottom of tank. Smoke /steam disappears after about 25 seconds and remains clear and runs well until its turned off and restarted 10 mins or so later. It has not had the heads changed and is now well out of warrenty. What are my chances of Ducati rectifying this ? Or how much would it cost at my exspense ? A full Ducati service history is not present as recent work has been done by independents. How long will it keep going before it won't start at all .TIA
I appreciate this is a bit "egg sucking", but have you tried refilling the coolant tank, and running the bike for a few more days to see if it is actually using water, or it was simply low to start with ??
These are exactly the symptoms that my 2010 MTS suffered from at 21,000 miles. It was the result of pinhole in the head casting from the water jacket through to the exhaust port. The bike ran fine but at every cold start there was a cloud of white steam accompanied by the "curry" smell of anti-freeze. it started while I was on a trip around Germany and I topped the header tank up with about 250ml of water to make sure I got home. The bike had allegedly had the coolant recall but the coolant in it was blue, so I doubt if it was really done. Both heads were replaced free of charge by Ducat Glasgow at Ducati's expense. The bike was 3 1/2 years old and at that time still had a full dealer service history. However given the well documented record of cylinder head failure on the early MTS 1200 I think you would have a good chance of getting them replaced. You won't know unless you ask.
No JH , I have never been informed of a recall by Ducati . When it was at OYB they informed me of a throttle recall but said that was the only one against my bike. Although the coolant has been changed by independent to the pink. Wayne58 the coolant has been refilled to the max line and I am keeping an eye on how much it goes down, and it is going down . Going to monitor it for a week or so .
Oh dear, sadly then, reckon its a head or two ?? good luck mate, and as said above, I'd go with approaching DUK with fingers crossed and rabbits foot in pocket.
yes they should help you out. make sure mechanic puts case to ducati rep when they have diagnosed it don't let them fob you off at dealer level its a manufacturer call and you need a name to escalate and eventually go to md of ducati uk. ducati uk value original owner, full ducati history at official dealer hopefully you have both or bought from duk dealer with full history. the heads cost 3.5 each plus labour so needs sorting with help really as not your fault. get both heads done too dont get fobbed off with half job. when i sold my 7 yrl 2010 mts i d had both cyclinders, gearbox, exhaust header, piston and front barrel, rear hub, and lots of other little issues sorted in this matter, its one thing that i regard ducati high about, they stood by their owner and bike so have faith...but be prepared for the labour cost. bugs
I had both heads replaced but I have no idea how much time as I wasn't paying for it. The bike was at the dealer for a week but I'd have thought 10 - 12hrs would about cover it. @nelly should be able to tell you.
