[lastblast]

Ok, this may have caused my starting problems, anyone know how whay or why this would be all over this plug?
Just over 3k miles on bike........
Oh, and no, when it did run last it did not blow smoke, well, it blew carbin out but not blue smoke...
Had done a fresh oil change on it about 8 months ago, and couldnt get it to start after that, but was having starting issues prior...

 

[lastblast]

Oh well, put 2 new plugs in and still wont start.... wont even sputter...only 3K miles lol ..... This is the time that I wished I lived closer to a large city that had a ducati dealership.
I only have 1 choice "goodtimes" in Sac and its 3 hours away, and I havnt heard the best about them ..... my other choices are another 2 hours past that and it seems dealerships are closing everywere, I know of 3 that have closed down in the last couple years.. and its not like anyone would be able to fix it that day, would have to drop it off and pick it up, right there is almost $300 in fuel and 4 to 8 hours drive time just to drop it off....


I think I have reached the end of my rope..

I think I will go out and enjoy riding one of my Japanese bikes, at least they start every time and I dont have to tinker with them and tell them how pretty they are to keep them running...

 

[marty da wrench]

this new gas does not store well
plugs are rich but other issues maybe the cause
wish I was closer love your 999
is the one with issue
can you here pump run?

 

[lastblast]

this new gas does not store well
plugs are rich but other issues maybe the cause
wish I was closer love your 999
is the one with issue
can you here pump run?

Oh yeah, pump runs, just put 3 gallons of new Chevron prem (tank had been drained from the last time I gave up on it) and thats all I ever ran in it.... Its been an ongoing problem that seems to have gone towards the worse.......

After this, It will probably be a year or longer before I even consider taking it to be worked on because by the time I took the time to take it to a dealership it probably wouldnt be ready until winter anyways

 

[SS904]

First thing I'd do is put a set of normal plugs in it. Never liked those marine style plugs personally. A set of normally gapped standard NGKs would be a better choice to start. Might even try a set of NGK Iridium plugs gapped at .40". Cheaper to try standard plugs first.

BTW, you're not the first person I've seen using marine plugs in a bike. What is the perceived benefit??? Can’t be anti fouling... The arc over voltage would have to be huge to make that jump. Maybe your coil packs are damaged now and the voltage is arcing to ground in there instead of trying to make that huge gap at the plug.

 

[lastblast]

First thing I'd do is put a set of normal plugs in it. Never liked those marine style plugs personally. A set of normally gapped standard NGKs would be a better choice to start. Might even try a set of NGK Iridium plugs gapped at .40". Cheaper to try standard plugs first.

BTW, you're not the first person I've seen using marine plugs in a bike. What is the perceived benefit??? Can’t be anti fouling... The arc over voltage would have to be huge to make that jump. Maybe your coil packs are damaged now and the voltage is arcing to ground in there instead of trying to make that huge gap at the plug.

Those plugs Champion RG59V were made Specifically for the 999R its OEM. Believe me I wouldn’t go out and buy something like this, I totally agree with you on the spark…. It may have to do with clearance. I have read multiple post on this but never really have heard someone that owns an R actually post how it went when they used something other than the OEM plug

 

[Tmnstr]

It's the Premium fuel caking up your plugs. Use a lower grade and it will start easier and burn cleaner. Unless your running super high compression (12:1 or higher) regular grade will work better. Your ECU will automatically adjust for knock, assuming it is a newer bike.

UPDATE: Just read the specs on the 999r. I would try mid-grade Shell fuel with some ethanol treatment (StaBil) and see if that helps it run better. Chevron gas runs like $4!? in my rides and my M3. Shell makes em all run like champs.

Hope this helps

Tmnstr


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

 

[lastblast]

It's the Premium fuel caking up your plugs. Use a lower grade and it will start easier and burn cleaner. Unless your running super high compression (12:1 or higher) regular grade will work better. Your ECU will automatically adjust for knock, assuming it is a newer bike.

Hope this helps

Tmnstr


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

It has 12.5 to one compression thats stock, its a 999R, I have heard a few people having problems with the Race ECU that comes with the bike, hope to hear what some of them have to say on what their problems were...

 

[SS904]

Those plugs Champion RG59V were made Specifically for the 999R its OEM

Did not know that. Wonder why?

 

[kllrvet]

. Your ECU will automatically adjust for knock, assuming it is a newer bike.

UPDATE: Just read the specs on the 999r. I would try mid-grade Shell fuel with some ethanol treatment (StaBil) and see if that helps it run better. Chevron gas runs like $4!? in my rides and my M3. Shell makes em all run like champs.

Hope this helps

Tmnstr


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

Why do you think the ecm will adjust for low octane fuel? I doubt there is a knock sensor, so your advice is WAY wrong. Be careful of dispensing poor advice, it could cost someone a lot of money.

A lot of bikes can run lower than 93 octane and be just fine, but a high compression, hot running twin may not be one of them. If you don't know how to read plugs and know what detonation sounds like, I'd recommend not straying from the factory recommended fuel grade and spark plugs.

 

[Tmnstr]

Why do you think the ecm will adjust for low octane fuel? I doubt there is a knock sensor, so your advice is WAY wrong. Be careful of dispensing poor advice, it could cost someone a lot of money.

A lot of bikes can run lower than 93 octane and be just fine, but a high compression, hot running twin may not be one of them. If you don't know how to read plugs and know what detonation sounds like, I'd recommend not straying from the factory recommended fuel grade and spark plugs.

Point taken. The R motors are more finicky than the non-R ones. However, it's a known fact that 'high-grade' fuel additives will cake up your plugs on any Duc. Maybe try some clean, non-ethanol, race fuel?

Just trying to help.

Tmnstr


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

 

[FlyingQ]

First thing I'd do is put a set of normal plugs in it. Never liked those marine style plugs personally. A set of normally gapped standard NGKs would be a better choice to start. Might even try a set of NGK Iridium plugs gapped at .40". Cheaper to try standard plugs first.

BTW, you're not the first person I've seen using marine plugs in a bike. What is the perceived benefit??? Can’t be anti fouling... The arc over voltage would have to be huge to make that jump. Maybe your coil packs are damaged now and the voltage is arcing to ground in there instead of trying to make that huge gap at the plug.

From personal experience, I would highly recommend that you do NOT use anything other than the recommended surface discharge spark plugs.

During a prior service, a dealership(?) had put standard plugs in my 2004 749S. Bad move. The engine was specifically designed to use the surface discharge type plugs for a reason. At a subsequent servicing at another Ducati dealer, the tech pulled out the plugs and found both side electrodes broken off. Amazing the bike ran at all. Seems the tolerances are little tighter on the S and R 749 motors (which both use the surface discharge plugs). I would suspect the 999 is similar.

Use the recommended plugs.

 

[FlyingQ]

Old fuel filter?

A fuel line in the tank has become disconnected (gas swirling around if you look in the tank through filler neck)?

Remove an airfilter and look in the airbox. Are the injectors working? Will it fire momentarily if use use a quick shot of starter fluid in a velocity stack?

Check all the fuses and grounds.

 

[lastblast]

Old fuel filter?

A fuel line in the tank has become disconnected (gas swirling around if you look in the tank through filler neck)?

Remove an airfilter and look in the airbox. Are the injectors working? Will it fire momentarily if use use a quick shot of starter fluid in a velocity stack?

Check all the fuses and grounds.

I am a little concerned about using starter fluid
1) that stuff is nasty and I worry about what it can do to Carbon Fiber, and clear coat
2) Starter fluid is really harsh stuff that is sometimes is better left for use with Diesel motors. things have been going from bad to worse with everything I am doing now, not sure if I want to chance the damage that starter fluid can do to a motor.

The thing I hate most about pretty bikes is working on them. You are always worried about scratching, dinging or whatever else happens with accidents while wrenching.. Every time I take the tank off or the fairings off it causes little things to happen..... carbon fiber is the worst stuff in the world to pull on and off, its like playing with a saltine cracker...

What type of filters do Ducati's use? is it only one in the tank? or is there another one somewere hidden

 

[FlyingQ]

What type of filters do Ducati's use? is it only one in the tank? or is there another one somewere hidden

There's only one fuel filter. It's in the tank and connected to the fuel pump assembly/flange. It is only accessible by removing the tank, turning it upside down, and removing the fuel pump flange. Be very careful with the fuel pump wiring where it passes through the flange...it's not robust. The fuel filter is a Ducati item (which is what I've used), but I've been told you can get an automotive filter from Napa Auto Parts that's virtually the same except for the small mounting arm on the Ducati filter. I don't know the Napa model number (I'm sure someone here does, though).

It's not totally uncommon for the fuel lines inside the fuel tank to become disconnect from the pump/filter. It's pretty easy to check. Make sure there's fuel in the tank. Open the fuel filler cap. Look inside the tank. Turn the key on. The pump should prime for approximately 2 seconds. During that time you should not see any fuel swirling around inside the tank. If you do, try engaging the starter and let it crank for a couple of seconds (which will energize the pump continously when crank rotation is sensed) to verify that you have fuel swirling around inside the tank. If you do see fuel swirling around inside the tank, this is an indication that one of the fuel lines in the tank has probably come loose. You'll need to pull the pump flange to re-attach it.

Here's a pic of a 999 fuel pump flange assembly with the filter:

 

[lastblast]

Thanks for the pointers, I tried what you said, I shined a flash light in there and was surprised to see how clean the tank was. Anyways nothing disconnected, that being said it doesn’t mean the filter cant be plugged.

My biggest problem right now buying Ducati OEM parts is the availability, I recently called a dealership to see if they ship parts and they said they quit doing it now and Im sure it is becoming more common place.
The dealerships that I have bought from in the past have now all shut down.. once you start digging into things like this you better have a parts source… Im sure if I pull the tank apart there is going to be a rubber seal that will need to be replaced also.

There's only one fuel filter. It's in the tank and connected to the fuel pump assembly/flange. It is only accessible by removing the tank, turning it upside down, and removing the fuel pump flange. Be very careful with the fuel pump wiring where it passes through the flange...it's not robust. The fuel filter is a Ducati item (which is what I've used), but I've been told you can get an automotive filter from Napa Auto Parts that's virtually the same except for the small mounting arm on the Ducati filter. I don't know the Napa model number (I'm sure someone here does, though).

It's not totally uncommon for the fuel lines inside the fuel tank to become disconnect from the pump/filter. It's pretty easy to check. Make sure there's fuel in the tank. Open the fuel filler cap. Look inside the tank. Turn the key on. The pump should prime for approximately 2 seconds. During that time you should not see any fuel swirling around inside the tank. If you do, try engaging the starter and let it crank for a couple of seconds (which will energize the pump continously when crank rotation is sensed) to verify that you have fuel swirling around inside the tank. If you do see fuel swirling around inside the tank, this is an indication that one of the fuel lines in the tank has probably come loose. You'll need to pull the pump flange to re-attach it.

Here's a pic of a 999 fuel pump flange assembly with the filter:

 

[FlyingQ]

Try:

California Cycleworks, Inc. - Aftermarket Ducati Parts for Ducati Performance | ca-cycleworks.com

Ducati Omaha - Ducati OEM Parts Ordering System - Parts Fiche

http://www.gothamcycles.com/servlet/StoreFront

Chris at California Cycleworks is super helpful.

 

[fretka]

Looks like oil seeping past the gasket. Is there any oil residue at the bottom of the spark plug well?
Should be surgically clean and DRY of oil.
I think the reason Duc used surface discharge plugs was due to combustion chamber swirl and flow characteristics. No plug to get in the way of the flame-front hence faster and more complete burn.
It is tough to get a combustion chamber that big to burn fast enough without resorting to a 2 plug setup.

Check that gasket!

Fretka

 

[lastblast]

Try:

California Cycleworks, Inc. - Aftermarket Ducati Parts for Ducati Performance | ca-cycleworks.com

Ducati Omaha - Ducati OEM Parts Ordering System - Parts Fiche

Gotham Cycles - The Ducati Parts Specialist

Chris at California Cycleworks is super helpful.

Thanks, I have bought used parts from Gothamcycles, didnt know that they carried new stuff also. Have had pretty good luck with them.

Living this far away from dealerships has made owning exotics like this a little trying. Had I known that this many dealerships would have shut down, and others stopping mailing parts, I dont think I would own an exotic now. A good friend of mine just bought a Aprillia.. all I can say now is good luck.

 

[lastblast]

Looks like oil seeping past the gasket. Is there any oil residue at the bottom of the spark plug well?
Should be surgically clean and DRY of oil.
I think the reason Duc used surface discharge plugs was due to combustion chamber swirl and flow characteristics. No plug to get in the way of the flame-front hence faster and more complete burn.
It is tough to get a combustion chamber that big to burn fast enough without resorting to a 2 plug setup.

Check that gasket!

Fretka

I will have to check the receipt that I recently found on the 600 mile service I had done. I cant remember everything they did but it probably did include pulling the covers off to check valves. Im sure they didnt use new gaskets, and I know I was charged a lot of money. That place has since went bankrupt and closed their doors, lol

Im up in Bandon Oregon right now enjoying the Ocean... Real small town, but kinda cool...