M696 overheating

[alibaba]

2009 Monster 696 in So. California where summer temps often reach 110 degrees F.  I was advised that the valve guide problems associated with this (and other) model are usually the result of running hot and the inherent leanness of the map.  Comments? 

To prevent this, is my money best spent for the Ducati oil cooler kit at @ $450 or the full Termi/ECU package at @ $1,461.  Will the oil cooler really give any significant drop in operating temperatures?

[Raux]

first off was the recall checked on the coil?
second overheating? how many bars?
i've heard of the valve guide issue too, but didnt know it caused overheating. i'll ask a friend.
check on Ryanraces H Competition cooler kit, I think it's a bit cheaper and more cooling.

[Povidius]

I got the full termi's on my 696 and notice no real difference in temps but the bike feels so much smoother/stronger.  I'm going to throw on the oil cooler to help out since summer heat is nearing.   

So far I notice I spend 90% of the time in the 3 bar range and the rest of the time in either 2 bars (when warming up) and 4 bars (when stuck in stop and go traffic on city streets).  I believe 4 bars is okay on the 696.  I've NEVER seen 5 bars and I hope to God I never do.

I spend most of my time on the highways, but still ride a lot on the streets.  I live near the beach so the ambient temperature is about 10 degree's cooler than further inland.

[bicunica]

I have the Termis as well and seem to be running with 4 bars all the time. I've seem 5 and even 6 bars when it's very hot. I live in St. Louis, MO. I'm getting a bit concerned now after reading this post.
How do I know if I have a valve guide issue?
The bike runs fine as far as I can tell.
When I had the 7500 mile service all checked out. They might have replaced a closing shim.

[Povidius]

I have the Termis as well and seem to be running with 4 bars all the time. I've seem 5 and even 6 bars when it's very hot. I live in St. Louis, MO. I'm getting a bit concerned now after reading this post.
How do I know if I have a valve guide issue?
The bike runs fine as far as I can tell.
When I had the 7500 mile service all checked out. They might have replaced a closing shim.

How hot was it when you saw 5 and 6 bars?  How often?  I'd get an oil cooler for sure (but thats just me being paranoid).

[bicunica]

I saw 5 and 6 bars when it was around high 80s low 90s. I think I see 5 bars more often than not. It usually stays at 4 even when 50s weather. Should I be concerned?

[mstevens]

My wife's 696 without Termi kit and mine with the kit both run at exactly the same temperature.

[DoWorkSon]

Get the oil cooler!

I made a custom one(writeup should be on this board somewhere)... Cost me about $150 to make compared to the $450 one form ducati..

I run constantly at 3 bars and get up to 4 on hard riding/long freeway rides...

Even in hot stagnant CA valley summers of 100+ I stay at 4 bars.

[Povidius]

Well, it seems people experience different average engine temperatures with their 696.

I live in southern california (near the coast) but have rode my bike much further inland while the temps were in the high 70's and I never saw 4 bars (I'm not exactly light with the throttle either).  I wonder if my bike has faulty temp readings 

For what its worth, I've got a 2010 696 and am using Shell Rotella T6 Full Syn oil and run 91 octane gas - mainly chevron. (even when I  had the factory oil in the bike, I never saw more than 4 bars and mainly stayed in the 3bar range).

I could be way off, but isn't the bike supposed to operate in the 3 bar range with the occasional 4 bars on hot days? 

What are other 696 owners experiencing?

[Veloce-Fino]

I typically see between three and four bars. Four usually at stoplights and traffic. I was up to 5 on a 96 F day at a red light. My legs were practically on fire from the heat.

[DAYS OF GLORY PAST]

I have an early 09' and have had the recalls done and it made no difference in temps. I live in the high desert and take 100 to 200 mile rides through los angeles and have seen all the bars lite up on a 110* day .I stopped just in case.  I am told this is oil temp and not to compare with coolant temps . The bike has a shut off that should turn it off before it does damage . Mine does not even run right before it hits the 3rd bar, and runs normally 4 to 5 bars with no problem. I did the termis with ecu and feel better hearing the rich exhaust pop, and like that sound anyway. I have 12700 miles  now and had the vertical cyl. belt tensioner go bad . Hope to get it back this week but rotator cuff surgery may keep me off for awhile anyway. An oil cooler would make me feel better but not sure it it is a necessity .

[amnesia]

What exactly are the recalls?  I have an '09 696 and the dealer never mentioned any recalls.

[Howie]

What exactly are the recalls?  I have an '09 696 and the dealer never mentioned any recalls.

Some of the bikes have revered polarity at the coils.  Unfortunately, the improperly wire coils match the wiring diagram.  Reversed polarity greatly reduces available spark for the ignition system.  The resulting misfire confuses the computer, forcing the bike to run leaner than normal around 3-4K RPM and the bike both surges and runs at a higher temperature at those speeds. 

How hot does your bike run?  Any surge problems?

[chisel]

@alibaba, raux, bicunica
RE: Valve guide...
So, the overheating and the coil related surging issues are all related to overly lean running conditions. Overly lean running conditions can, over time, cause exhaust valve, valve seat, and valve guide problems.

During the exhaust stroke, there is an overlap period where both the intake and exhaust valves are open. When this happens, air/fuel mixture rushes in through the intake and over and out the exhaust valve. When the air/fuel mixture is correct, this overlap period helps to cool the exhaust valve, valve seat, and guide. If the mixture is too lean, the valve components aren't cooled and they degrade more rapidly. Degraded valve and valve seats result in a loss in compression, equaling a loss in power. Fixing this means potentially new valves and lapping or machining the valve seats. Degraded valve guides mean that the valve can move around, can potentially become lodged and cause a valve strike, or can rapidly degrade the valve seal, causing oil to leak from the area above the valves into the combustion chamber. Fixing this means new guides, seals, and potentially valves, if a valve strike has not occurred. If a valve strike HAS occurred, it's a whole different story.

Popping on decel and pre-ignitions on large throttle opening from low throttle indicate a lean running condition as these are time when the mixture is further leaned because of rider input.

I've had "slight" problems with overheating potential and with surging, but it doesn't seem to equal what I've heard reported because of the coil issue. Typically, my bike fluctuates between 3 and 5 bars. I live in Southern California. It does get blisteringly hot on my legs when stopped at a stop light with jeans on after a long freeway ride. I really, really hope to spend my money on a tuner and tuning soon.

[darthmoto]

I hadn't heard of this exhaust Valve degradation due to high temps. I guess an oil cooler is something I should consider as well.. When I was changing out my clutch plates, the service guy mentioned that wet clutches start to slip when the friction material hardens, something directly related to high heat. I think these 2 reasons alone are making me want an oil cooler.