Overheating 999 ?

**mw999** · 28 Jun 08, 12:17 AM

Just bought a 2005 999 about a month ago. Fantastic. But 2 days after taking it home got stuck in traffic and the temperature rose quickly till it relieved coolant at about 105 degrees. But coolant level wasn't high. Took it to dealer and they checked it out and said all OK. Apparently "all 999's do that" they said. Is that correct? I expected the fans to bring temp down before it relieves. I'm seeing temp at 69 degrees when riding above 60 mph, up to about 85 when doing about 30, and it gets over 100 when I'm in stop start traffic. Can anyone advise if I should be worried?

**royum** · 28 Jun 08, 12:53 AM

I certainly can get over 100 on the 1098 in town and in the summer, it's not difficult to understand that happening.

**safetyfish** · 28 Jun 08, 03:48 AM

I have driven my bike in temps of about 46 deg C in stop start traffic. That bike gets hot and your nuts and inside thighs are roasting let me tell ya.
My bike got up to 108 deg C that day with fans running like crazy.
Not once did it burp coolent.
Check that the radiator cap is on properly, check that overflow tube is connected properly and make sure expansion tank is not over filled.
Check the relief valves for dirt or damage.

Ducs dont all do this, whenever a dealer says this my bull sh^t alarm is going off already.

SF

**Ghost** · 28 Jun 08, 06:32 AM

Hello MW and welcome to the forum. the temperatures that you are quoting seem very typical. But they don't expel the coolant.

When I was coming away from Donington last week, I saw 108 to 110 degC.

Remove the right hand fairing, ensure that there rad cap seals and that the rad is full with no air lock. As SF stated make sure that the expansion tank is not over filled.

If it is over pressurising the system the possibilities are a head gasket failure or water pump not circulating the flow.

Few things for you to check there. Good luck.

**el toro** · 28 Jun 08, 07:22 AM

Hi bud, my treble nine did the same after a renovation, i replaced the radiator cap 6 quid, harry glasgow sorry ,ducati glasgow, problem fixed. always start with the cheapest fix first. et. hop this helps

**Lucazade 749s** · 28 Jun 08, 09:46 AM

Stuck in Blackwool tunel behind all cars doing 3-4 mph stop and go. Temp got to 115C with fans almost making me airborne. EOBD light went on to worn me but no fluid leaking or bike braking down. As per manual EOBD goes on around 10C before it stops the engine.

**andyrh** · 28 Jun 08, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mw999

said all OK. Apparently "all 999's do that" they said. Is that correct?

Why is it that dealers think we are all numpties

As ghost has suggested, if it is dumping coolant then something ain't right.

Is the dealer a Ducati specialist dealer or a multifrancise supermarket?

**CarsOrBikes** · 28 Jun 08, 05:22 PM

Are the fans actually working? forget the dealer, listen yourself. If they are not coming on before the coolant is pushed out, if you can, find the fan sensor and jump the wires to see if they work, if so does the temp come down with them running when trying again? yes = poss the sensor is either duff, or not submerged ie an air lock exists. if you are happy air is bled, and still it pressurises with fans jumped, maybe head gasket, but i'm sure that'll be unlikely.

definately dont be lured by stupid 'they all do' dealer comments, in to riding with it overheating. It won't be them paying for it when it goes tits up will it.

possibly the obvious, but don't ride with coolant leaking anywhere, either you or your mates will be off!

most bikes will see 100 ish in traffic but fans should be on by then imo.

if the water pump has had its day, be careful as things may be hotter than you think, as if the temp sensor is in a cooled part of the circuit it will read lower than actual. Then you are a target for h/g failure, regardless this needs further checking soon by the sound of it.

just my 2p

**ducati2242** · 28 Jun 08, 05:51 PM

I think the left fan comes on at 104 and the right at 105 if I remember correct.

**mw999** · 29 Jun 08, 12:20 AM

Thanks to you all for the help and information - I'll have lots to look into!!!
Cheers.

**Rob998** · 29 Jun 08, 12:26 AM

Fresh coolant & Water Wetter will solve your probs. Probably!

**mw999** · 30 Jun 08, 10:06 PM

Checked radiator and it was full to the brim. Checked level was mid way between upper and lower levels in expansion tank and left engine ticking over.....Left fan kicked in at about 103, right fan at about 105. They didn't seem particularly effective and didn't appear to be pulling much air through but both were on. Temp continued to rise but not quite as fast.
After about a minute the expansion tank relieved at 107. Temp then dropped to 103 then rose again....and tank relieved again. Temp seemed to stabilise at 107 / 108. I increased revs a little to just above 2000 and saw temp drop to 103 virtually immediately.
Left it to tick over again and it dropped another small amount of coolant onto my drive!!!. Got a bit nervous then because there had been quite a lot of water dropped - so switched engine off. Fans stayed on till about 101. Waited for it to cool then found I had to put in 250 millilitres of water just to get it back to the minimum liquid level. Wondering if it's poor ciculation like "carsorbikes" suggested? I had a full service and belt change done before I picked it up from the Ducati dealer and it was them who had it back the first time it dropped water. They said it was all OK and that the fans kick in and it relieves at correct temp. (not sure I'm allowed to dis' them on line but they're the biggest Ducati/Harley dealer in Somerset). Think i'll have to take it back again....We don't have enough sunny days for me to waste them by the bike being in for repair!!

**andyrh** · 30 Jun 08, 10:15 PM

Ah

you need to get sorted by a main Ducati dealer then

And they stated; "they all do that".

Shocking!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mw999

I had a full service and belt change done before I picked it up from the Ducati dealer and it was them who had it back the first time it dropped water. They said it was all OK and that the fans kick in and it relieves at correct temp. (not sure I'm allowed to dis' them on line but they're the biggest Ducati/Harley dealer in Somerset). Think i'll have to take it back again....We don't have enough sunny days for me to waste them by the bike being in for repair!!

**nelly** · 30 Jun 08, 11:00 PM

The rad cap relieves at pressure, not temperature. This is related somewhat to temp but there are other influences. The cap is set to let go at 1.1 bar. By increasing the system pressure the cooalnt boils later. It's at this point where the overflow occurs.
Coolant should be changed every 2 years. Use either ready mixed coolant, or mix your own. 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water. That will give good cooling properties and combined with a pressurised system pretty effective operation. Water wetter will improve the situation further, but as good as it is, a cooling system in good nick in the UK with decent coolant should be just fine.
The rad cap sounds like it could be letting go too early, as mentioned above.

On the 999 the ECU controls the fans from the engine temp sensor. There's no switch ala 996 for instance. The temps you mentioned sound about right, hence the cap sounding suspect.

**safetyfish** · 01 Jul 08, 03:13 AM

I am with Nelly on this one.

Change the radiator cap, that thing is letting go too early.

SF