Decided to do the airbox cover mod/problem - Ducati.ms

uzirider · Aug 21st, 2008, 12:29 pm

Recently purchased a 1100s. After reading most of the threads, decided on doing the hole in the airbox cover and a Cat eliminator.

My problem is: Removing the bolts holding the cover, the back left bolt is just spinning and wont come out. Looking under the cover it seems the back 2 bolts are screwed into blind nuts recessed in the plastic. Im guessing that the nut is just turning in the plastic. i cant get a screw driver blade or wrench on it to keep it from turning. Anyone have a trick to get out a bolt like this. im open to suggestions. I might have to order a termi slipon from dealer and have them install. Though i dont have 1700 dollars laying around.

Not sure if i can bring it to the dealer and ask them to pull my airfilter cover off under warranty. I hate when easy jobs turn into a nightmare.

If i apply a large amount of force do you think the blind nut would pull out. Then i could epoxy the nut in place. Assuming the screw isnt cross threaded into nut.

Nother thought, could i run the Beast or Beast R with a stock ECU? Then the airbox wouldnt be used.
thx

MongoWERA · Aug 21st, 2008, 3:04 pm

If you've got the others off - can you lift one side of the cover to put some upward pressure on the remaining bolt? That'll kind of pull the nut up too putting at least some pressure on it to help keep it from spinning.

uzirider · Aug 21st, 2008, 4:42 pm

Yeh thats what i was trying to do. I failed. Guess i have no future as a Ducati technician. Im taking it to the shop tomorrow to let those guys try. Im kind of bummed about this. Was hoping to tweak it on the cheap. Now im going to either have to buy an airbox for 150 bucks or get the beast kit(lose the airbox).
Thanks for the reply though

**Da_Bull** · Aug 21st, 2008, 6:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by uzirider

Yeh thats what i was trying to do. I failed. Guess i have no future as a Ducati technician. Im taking it to the shop tomorrow to let those guys try. Im kind of bummed about this. Was hoping to tweak it on the cheap. Now im going to either have to buy an airbox for 150 bucks or get the beast kit(lose the airbox).
Thanks for the reply though

Been doing a LOT of research ... get the Beast R and be done with it. You'll never look back.

lelenb · Aug 21st, 2008, 9:02 pm

That sounds like a defect to me, don't give up on trying to get it covered under warranty. You did nothing wrong and the bolt would not come out. You have the right to access your are filter. You have the right to service your bike. Don't go into the dealer as a guy acting like you screwed up, they will ding you. You just paid big bucks for a motorcycle and the dealer made money on you, so they should take care of you.

GMP · Aug 21st, 2008, 9:29 pm

This is common, happened to some of us as well. Don't get bummed, fix it yourself in one evening rather than have the bike sit at the dealer while Italy is on vacation until next month.

Remove the tank, don't forget the rear mount bolt. Slowly drill the head off the bolt with the spinning insert, go slow so you don't create heat and melt the plastic cover around the brass sleeve. Now with the head of the bolt drilled off remove the cover. Grab the stub of the bolt with pliers and just pull the insert straight out of the airbox. Hold the insert and remove the bolt stub. Get or cut/dress a new M5 bolt of the correct length, pul a little antiseize on the threads, and thread it back into the insert. Clean the hole in the airbox and insert with contact cleaner. Get some plastic epoxy, mix some up, and coat the insert, not too much or you will not be able to install the insert flush. Now push the insert back into the airbox flusf using the bolt, wipe away excess epoxy and let cure. When its cured, antiseize the bolts, and install the cover just snug.

lugger · Aug 21st, 2008, 11:17 pm

Can you run the Beast R with the stock exhaust?

uzirider · Aug 22nd, 2008, 12:23 pm

GMP thanks for the input. I proceeded as suggested for the bolt removal. And its all back together. I was in denial and just needed a little support. Just hate having a bike for 2 days and already having to drill off a bolt head. The airbox plastic holding the blind nut seems kind of soft to me. Anyways thx.

AXE · Aug 22nd, 2008, 3:56 pm

I would typically use the Devcon plastic epoxy for something lik this. However, I did not have any at the time. I pulled my blind nut out of the plastic housing, heated it up some, and inserted it back in to the housing and it melted into the housing. Good to go. These bolts are hand tight and 1/8 turn out you are screwed, lewd, and tattooed!

Out!

BigHoss · Aug 22nd, 2008, 4:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugger

Can you run the Beast R with the stock exhaust?

Hmmm, I don't recall seeing a MAF sensor so any improvement in airflow probably would not be seen by the ECU. This means the ECU will not adjust the fuel mix and you may run lean, let me rephrase that, With the Beast you will increase airflow.

If breathing is better but the ECU does not sense that, and increase the fuel delivery, there will be a lean mixture which could lead to a burned valve.

I hear a few members have been running the DP airbox lid and doing just fine with the stock ECU.

I put on the DP airlid and it really makes a difference here at 5800 ft. But I had no idea of what my mix was so I put the stock lid back on...really sucks!

I have a DP ECU but I am waiting to get a pipe before I set the engine up with the performance ECU.