I seem to have experienced the first challenge of Ducati ownership after only a few hundred miles!! I put it away after a ride and the next day I found a very (very) small amount of oil on the floor. Took the fairings off and it seems to be weeping from the point indicated by the crude arrow. Has anyone experienced anything similar before? Any suggestions for a fix without taking the casing off? cheers
I would clean it off with some brake cleaner. check, Oil pressure switch extension as they can crack, check the area around the Heat exchanger to see if there is any oil residue on the rear, and also the horizontal head rocker cover. I would also bee checking the underside of the GB racing cover for signs of contact that may have put pressure on the Side cover. my 1299 had a leak on this cover last year, and it was a case of just removing and renewing the sealing compound, but worth checking the other areas first.
I left it over night with the paper down and it’s definitely not a static leak. Seems to be blowing out form the around the area where the casing bolts to the engine, just to the right of the oil level sight glass.
How funny, I just had a very similar experience. Found a puddle of oil under the bike last Friday, took a look inside the fairing and seemed like oil was absolutely everywhere but most noticeably was underneath. Did the same as you and left a paper towel down overnight and there was nothing more. Took a look at the oil level and the sight glass was full, like full full not just at the max line. Took all the fairings off and noticed a lot of oil out of one of the breathers right down the bottom, lifted the tank and yup airbox was filled with oil. Panigale's breathe oil through the system very easily if the level is too high and should actually be run at a lower level for track riding because of this issue. Spoke with the dealer that recently completed the service and had a bit of back and forth over checking the oil level as they stated it should be a hot level check yet the manual states cold. They stated that the sightglass would always show completely full when checked cold but the level when warm should sit at the top level or the bottom line for track riding. I had been on track last weekend and then taken for MOT so assumed it had started to breathe and fill the airbox and then all came out when I got it up on stands in the garage Friday evening. The reason I say this is that I was also concerned about the seals having been running pretty hard with too much oil but was assured by the dealer that the seals are strong and not usually an issue in this situation. They agreed to have the bike back to do a full check and all completely fine. Oil had honesty got everywhere and it felt like it could easily be leaking from the seals as almost everywhere had oil on it. So I'd check your oil level and the breathers down the bottom, some pics for ref
@chrisb1299 It’s interesting you mention the oil level as I did notice the level of this bike is on the high side (almost fills the sight glass) However, I have not had the volume of oil leak out that you seem to have had. I may well drain some oil out and see if that helps the situation. I’m pained to strip the bike down to redo the gasket. That’s a winter job for sure!! But at the same time, I’m not keen of the thought of oil getting on the tyre while riding!!
Yeah this was the advice that I had: As you’ve read Panigale’s do need a different oil level for track riding than road riding, but both oil levels need to be set when the engine is hot. Once the engine is up to running temp (at least 90°c) it should be turned off and left for around 3-5 mins. Then upright on level ground the oil should be between the two lines. If the oil level is checked when the engine is cold the oil level will be at the top of the sight glass (if filled for road use). For track use we’d run the oil level lower, so using the method above the oil should just register in the bottom of the sight glass. It's very easy to lift the tank and see inside the airbox, that will then easily show you if it's been breathing or not. Well this is the route I followed anyway. I drained some oil out by taking the filter cover off, it absolutely poured out, and now sits bang in the middle of min and max lines.
I just checked with the workshop at Moto Rapido (ace Aftersales team BTW). I asked the question on oil levels via email and this is the response I got:- For track riding you want lower oil levels, so when cold (left over night) you want it on the bottom line. You wont run into any problems then. Hope this is helpful. I will be removing some oil from my Pani before it goes on the track for sure.
Higher oil level effectively raises the compression. I have heard this before on panigales. every manufacture is different. With triumphs as you know, you run them almost over full. with Honda bang on the line. Etc
I had something similar on my 1299s. It was the clutch cover. What would happen is a small bit would weep and collect inside the gb racing cover. Then when you pulled up and put it on side stand, it would drip onto exhaust and burn. Turns out this casing is sensitive to correct torque and clean mating surface. I also replaced the ridiculously priced green o-ring. £10. I polished up the mating surfaces and ensured all bolts were torqued correctly and it went away. Careful torquing up the bolts tho as the casing is made of bologna cheese. Piss poor quality.
Checked my 959s oil level this morning. Sight glass full way over top line. I siphoned out 350 ml to get the level in the pictures, just below the top line! Last service done at a Ducati main dealer. Make your own mind up
No. I followed the advice from Moto rapido. Left overnight. But I have not siphoned to lower line as they suggested. Not that brave. Going to run engine up tomorrow and see where it settles once hot per post above. So kinda halfway house.
Ran up to 102 degrees. Left stand 4 mins. Checked level. Just the same as when cold. Abd I had my glasses on too. Took out another 100 ml and leaving it there. Upper middle of the two lines.
