Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 10:51:57 AM

Title: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 10:51:57 AM
I've mentioned it here a few times, but I picked up a crashed 2000 m900ie for cheap and slowly going to put it back together. Anyhow, there is a hole a little larger than a quarter right in the indented area where the front sprocket is, at the point where the left side case meets the engine. Does anyone know if I can get this welded? It looks to be kind of tricky as there's a little bit missing from both the left side case and the main engine case itself.
Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: He Man on June 30, 2009, 11:03:42 AM
almost anything can be welded by a skilled welder. However the casting is quite porous so it might end up requiring a very very skilled welder. and probably $$$
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 11:47:16 AM
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/magnus157/bikehole003.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/magnus157/bikehole003.jpg)

here's a link to pic
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pennyrobber on June 30, 2009, 12:42:07 PM
Looks like maybe the chain broke and gave the case a little love tap. It almost looks like you might do best to replace the case cover and try to just get the case itself covered. (I have no first hand experience with this kind of thing though)
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: erkishhorde on June 30, 2009, 01:25:18 PM
Quote from: pennyrobber on June 30, 2009, 12:42:07 PM
Looks like maybe the chain broke and gave the case a little love tap. It almost looks like you might do best to replace the case cover and try to just get the case itself covered. (I have no first hand experience with this kind of thing though)

That's what I'd do. Rather expensive be doable.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: Bladecutter on June 30, 2009, 02:20:42 PM
Quote from: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 11:47:16 AM
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/magnus157/bikehole003.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/magnus157/bikehole003.jpg)

here's a link to pic

Looking at the picture, your best bet is to have the left cover completely replaced with a new one, and while it is off the engine, have a good welder build up the case where it's damaged, and then plane it back down so that it is flush again.

Should be perfectly fine after that is done.

BC.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: He Man on June 30, 2009, 05:04:29 PM
+1 that looks simple enough. the engine left half could actually be replaced for cheaper then the welder,but the cost of replacing the old into the enw would be substantially more.

Left side case go for as little as $100 bucks on ebay.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 05:18:50 PM
Quote from: Bladecutter on June 30, 2009, 02:20:42 PM
Looking at the picture, your best bet is to have the left cover completely replaced with a new one, and while it is off the engine, have a good welder build up the case where it's damaged, and then plane it back down so that it is flush again.

Should be perfectly fine after that is done.

BC.

this might be the option I go with if nobody comes up with a reason why I shouldn't. Curiously, the chain never broke, and the bike low-sided on the right side, so I'm not sure how it punctured where it did. When I bought the bike, I never thought to pull the plastic sprocket cover off to have a look.....live and learn.
Is there anything I need to watch for pulling of the left cover? Is it fairly straight forward?
Thanks for all the advice.....it's much appreciated.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 05:28:59 PM
also........anyone know what year left side case cover would fit? Am I correct that it would ony be the 2000 and 2001?
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: DucHead on June 30, 2009, 05:30:24 PM
Quote from: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 05:18:50 PM
this might be the option I go with if nobody comes up with a reason why I shouldn't. Curiously, the chain never broke, and the bike low-sided on the right side, so I'm not sure how it punctured where it did. When I bought the bike, I never thought to pull the plastic sprocket cover off to have a look.....live and learn.
Is there anything I need to watch for pulling of the left cover? Is it fairly straight forward?
Thanks for all the advice.....it's much appreciated.

This might be helpful:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20215.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20215.0)
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: Sause on June 30, 2009, 05:47:34 PM
The stator is attached to the left side cover. When removing the cover remember where each bolt goes as they are not all the same length, The stator has a short leash and you will need to set it down on something when you remove it from the cover. I used two old paint cans. Also the clutch slave cylinder will need to be removed before the cover can come off.


should only take a half hour tops
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on June 30, 2009, 05:50:23 PM
Quote from: Sause on June 30, 2009, 05:47:34 PM
The stator is attached to the left side cover. When removing the cover remember where each bolt goes as they are not all the same length, The stator has a short leash and you will need to set it down on something when you remove it from the cover. I used two old paint cans. Also the clutch slave cylinder will need to be removed before the cover can come off.


should only take a half hour tops

thank you Sause, much appreciated.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: Langanobob on July 01, 2009, 09:21:13 AM
I'll probably get hammered for suggesting this, but depending on what your intentions are for the bike, there are some other options.

The cost of tearing it apart and replacing or welding parts might reach the point of diminishing returns.  If it was my bike and all I wanted was a running bike I'd consider JB Weld or Devcon.  But I'm good at fixing things on the cheap and I've got a lot of epoxy experience. 

Not necessarily recommending that approach, just saying that's probably what I'd do.

Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: al@sktc on July 01, 2009, 10:39:41 AM
i used jb weld on my 98 gsx-r 750. sold it three years later and, it was still intact.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: corey on July 01, 2009, 11:13:30 AM
im a long-time supporter of JB-Weld.
i completely repaired a snapped-in-half oldsmobile windshield wiper arm with the stuff. never broke again.
they have fixed cracked ENGINE BLOCKS with the stuff. it works. and it works well.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on July 01, 2009, 02:05:09 PM
Quote from: Langanobob on July 01, 2009, 09:21:13 AM
I'll probably get hammered for suggesting this, but depending on what your intentions are for the bike, there are some other options.

The cost of tearing it apart and replacing or welding parts might reach the point of diminishing returns.  If it was my bike and all I wanted was a running bike I'd consider JB Weld or Devcon.  But I'm good at fixing things on the cheap and I've got a lot of epoxy experience. 

Not necessarily recommending that approach, just saying that's probably what I'd do.




ya know, I intially thought JB weld too. I've got a pretty good artistic streak and could likely do a nice job, but I was concerned about the strength of JB weld. The other issue, is that the bike is for my GF.....if it were me, I wouldn't care. I dunno, if a few people can chime in a little more on the subject I would appreciate it.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: 2001cromo on July 01, 2009, 04:52:10 PM
Pitbull,

As said before, just replace the cover and weld up/build up the little bit that the case itself needs. Just make sure it's completely flat once it's done as it's got to seal.

Then do yourself a favor and get one of these too

(http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/img/case_saver.jpg) (http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/chain.html)

Then it will be better than new.

Contact me via PM as I've got an extra case cover for that side. If you're interested. It will fit any 3 phase air cooled. I got it for my 2001 M900.

~Terry
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: 2001cromo on July 01, 2009, 04:54:17 PM
Lookin at that picture, you might just be lucky enough to not even need to weld up the engine case.

A ruler would tell for sure

Fingers crossed
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: DucLeone on July 01, 2009, 05:16:18 PM
you might want to pull the cover off anyway, just in case there is bits and pieces inside of the cover.
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: corndog67 on July 01, 2009, 07:47:12 PM
Is it engine center cases or outer cases?  I've found that welding the inner cases, when there was oil behind them before, is kind of a bastard because the oil gets into the pores of the case, and the really hard part is getting the oil off of/out of the material, since welds don't like any kind of foreign material in them.  Other than that, I've seen some pretty trashed cases welded back into one piece, took a long time, and a damn good welder, but they came out fine.  Oh yeah, you have to take them apart completely. 

I've fixed some really hacked up stuff that there had been an attempt to JBWeld the stuff first.   Personally, I think they should license that stuff and administer some test before they just sell it to anybody.   Same with big hammers and Easyouts. 
Title: Re: hole in engine case
Post by: pitbull on July 02, 2009, 03:40:15 AM
Quote from: corndog67 on July 01, 2009, 07:47:12 PM
Is it engine center cases or outer cases?  I've found that welding the inner cases, when there was oil behind them before, is kind of a bastard because the oil gets into the pores of the case, and the really hard part is getting the oil off of/out of the material, since welds don't like any kind of foreign material in them.  Other than that, I've seen some pretty trashed cases welded back into one piece, took a long time, and a damn good welder, but they came out fine.  Oh yeah, you have to take them apart completely. 

I've fixed some really hacked up stuff that there had been an attempt to JBWeld the stuff first.   Personally, I think they should license that stuff and administer some test before they just sell it to anybody.   Same with big hammers and Easyouts. 

thanks for the advice........I have to pull it apart to get a better look, but I'm fairly certain I'm going to go the welding route. I know a good welder who fixed a broken motor mount area on the engine of my 2001 cromo. I will run the engine up to him and see what he thinks.