EXVL Error - Ducati.ms

JigaroKano · Jan 20th, 2012, 6:38 pm

So in keeping with a serious problem every month or so with my beloved MTS 1200 I threw a CEL a few days ago. EXVL, I did some searching and found out that it has to do with a valve in the exhaust and the actuator is hidden beneath the heat shield. I took off the heat shield which involved taking out a nearly stripped bolt which was stuck due to rust and this is what I found.

The actuator was so rusted it wasn't moving at all. When I turned the bike on and hit the throttle it didn't budge at all. The bike is a 10 but it was only set up in April of 2011 before that it sat in the dealership warehouse. I have put just over 10k on it in Northern Virginia from 4/11 to 1/12. Not thrilled.

I think my mechanic is a smart guy and can do good work but he is too busy and not supported by his miserable shop/store. Perhaps some of the problems with my bike are from the factory or more likely from whoever put the bike together but recently going over it I have noticed screws and bolts missing. Loose and uncovered wires (uncovered in the sense that the individual plastic wires are visible and not in the larger protective plastic/rubber sheaths that house numerous wires, no metal is showing), and finally a missing cap from my rear break fluid canister? after he did some work to fix a non functioning rear break.

My848 · Jan 20th, 2012, 7:01 pm

Was it parked under water?

JigaroKano · Jan 20th, 2012, 7:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by My848

Was it parked under water?

I cover it when it is raining about half the time but I ride it through down pours regularly. It is my dd and my car hasn't had been moved since I bought the bike so whatever the weather conditions she is out there being ridden.

bcmonster · Jan 20th, 2012, 7:47 pm

The valve is actuated by the ECU, not your throttle, so twisting it won't do anything. Upon turning on the ignition it goes through a test of the valves operation, and the resulting resistance from the rust would cause the code. Can you move it manually? If not try some penetrating oil and see if it loosens. That is alot of corrosion. NO offence but how is your maintenance program re washing etc?

Kitesurfer · Jan 20th, 2012, 7:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcmonster

...That is alot of corrosion.

+1

This is normally what you'd expect on a vehicle that is operated in corrosive environments, e.g. salt. Either that or there's some serious dissimilar metal chemistry in play. I wonder: was the wrong (material) bolt fitted somewhere along the way to replace a missing one?

A320driver · Jan 21st, 2012, 3:20 am

It could be the exhaust valve motor that is actuating the valve. (located under the seat, just aft of the battery). There may be some rust on the pulley of the exhaust valve, but I don't think this will hinder the operation. Some WD40 should do the job if this was the case. I do believe that your actual motor has packed up and this is replaced under warranty. This is not an uncommon problem with Ducati's. ( I had mine replaced once before)

Also, there is a recall for the cable to the valve. If you have and old cable then this is covered under warranty.

Not sure why the pulley is a bit rusted/corroded, but the rest looks nice and clean.

And yes, the valve does open and close when you rev the engine stationary. I have seen that myself when I was doing some tests with the valve. And after that I removed the piece of valve inside the exhaust to eliminate the choking by this valve. See another post of me; Removal/Elimination of the exhaust valve

Go back to the dealer and have them connect the diagnostics computer to trouble shoot. I think you need to see them anyway for a new valve motor.

A320driver · Jan 21st, 2012, 3:27 am

Sorry for my 2nd reply, but looking at the pictures again and a bit more careful, I can see that your valve is somewhere mid open/closed. I think a lot of WD40 hopefully does the job.

Take the exhaust cone off and spray also from the inside. It should then loosen up.

JigaroKano · Jan 25th, 2012, 10:41 am

I doused it in WD-40 and played with the cable a bit and it loosened up. I know the throttle system is ride-by-wire and the throttle doesn't mechanically open the valve but when you nail the throttle more exhaust comes out and the ECU should actuate the valve. Any how after the WD-40 and manually moving the cable repeatedly the CEL went away and the bike appears to be operating normally. I am still going to attempt to get it replaced under warranty. It doesn't seem normal to me.

In regards to washing the bike, how would that affect this? It is covered by the heat shield. I have never ridden the bike in salt but frequently in rain. I rarely wash the bike but I fail to see how that would have helped the situation.

All regualr maintenance has been done.