Cylinder Head paint flaking (internal)

[n8800ss]

Looks like the heads on my race 800 SS ie have overheated and caused the paint to flake. I was in the process of checking my valve clearances and found this on the vertical cylinder.



picture

Has anyone seen this? Dealt with it? How bad is it and what are some recommendations?

TIA!

- Nathan

[Bill T]

Hi,

On my engine 1994 900ss, it wasn't painted on the inside. My guess would be, I would clean out what you can, block off the return oil port and blow/suck out the loose paint. I don't think I would be to worried about it, it is right on top of the cylinder where the temp is the highest. If there are no cracks in the heads, I would put it back together and run it. Just check the oil filter for contaminents in the next few oil changes.

Hope it helps,

Bill

[BakonDuc]

Is it possible that's just some oil "varnish" residue that's coating the rocker chambers and is now bubbling up a little?

Bryan

[Joe-B]

Why in the world would they need to paint the inside of the heads?

[n8800ss]

Originally Posted by Joe-B

Why in the world would they need to paint the inside of the heads?

I talked to my local dealer and it is the paint/coating on inside of the head that is bubbling. He said he sees it quite a bit. I am going to let him see the heads and decide what to do. I imagine I will clean it up the best I can and run it.

Thanks for the help!

[470four]

Originally Posted by BakonDuc

Is it possible that's just some oil "varnish" residue that's coating the rocker chambers and is now bubbling up a little?

Bryan

+1, possible the oil is pooling here and building up a little? Would have thought they would have masked off the valve covers when they sprayed them but it would be wrong to assume... If they didnt then your valve pots got more paint than the OUTSIDE of most peoples heads got!

[Ric]

It's not paint.Just burnt oil residue as others have said.Ducati has attempted to duct fresh air back there numerous times.The best thing they did was to modify the castings on the DS heads around the exhaust port with a few slots in the casting.A lot of racers use venting from up front of 4" flexible furnace ducting.My 944 has the exact same residue in it every time i check in there.I have learned that it is a "bit" better if i let it idle for a minute or 2 before shutting it down after a track session.Just gives the motor a chance to pump some cooler oil up there while the exhaust port cools.

[n8800ss]

Actually, it is the paint. It's baking off from getting so hot. Apparently a fairly common problem on the 800 1000 2 valves in race application. I'll try to get back to everyone once the dealer takes a look to see how bad it is.