Main Menu

S4RS Coolant Leak?

Started by Enzoman, September 10, 2016, 10:53:53 PM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1 2
User actions

Enzoman

September 10, 2016, 10:53:53 PM Last Edit: September 11, 2016, 10:19:27 PM by Enzoman
Hi folks, sorry for the huge pictures. Can anyone tell me if this is a head gasket leak or is there an o-ring under that nut that has failed? These are the cylinder head bolts on an 08' S4RS. There are leaks on the vertical and horizontal cylinders. When the engine reaches full temp, around 220 degrees, I can see a small amount of what appears to be coolant bubble up right around the threads and create a small drip. The one nut has turned green. Should I just have them torqued and then re-checked? Is the head gasket a huge job or can I tackle this in the garage?

Thanks,

Andy



The pics were there before, does this link work?

ducpainter

#1
September 11, 2016, 04:15:18 AM
Quote from: Enzoman on September 10, 2016, 10:53:53 PM
Hi folks, sorry for the huge pictures. Can anyone tell me if this is a head gasket leak or is there an o-ring under that nut that has failed? These are the cylinder head bolts on an 08' S4RS. There are leaks on the vertical and horizontal cylinders. When the engine reaches full temp, around 220 degrees, I can see a small amount of what appears to be coolant bubble up right around the threads and create a small drip. The one nut has turned green. Should I just have them torqued and then re-checked? Is the head gasket a huge job or can I tackle this in the garage?

Thanks,

Andy





Links won't work for me.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Enzoman

#2
September 11, 2016, 07:59:39 AM Last Edit: September 11, 2016, 08:05:44 AM by Enzoman
What about that link? And this one? I been out of this for awhile. It seems posting pics is too complicated for me now lol.

https://plus.google.com/108001955614417580888/posts/RCCfnP3wv1C

ducpainter

#3
September 11, 2016, 08:59:15 AM
That one works!

I doubt a re-torque will work, but it's worth a try.

Head gaskets are not a huge job if you're comfortable doing 4V belts.

Pricey from Ducati. Cometic is a brand used frequently as a substitute.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Enzoman

#4
September 11, 2016, 10:42:09 AM
So it's definately head gaskets and not some simple o-ring? This bike only has 7800 miles, is this common for the 998? Looks like I'm getting a shop manual. Do you think it's still ok to ride? I haven't seen any white smoke and the coolant level is fine.

ducpainter

#5
September 11, 2016, 11:35:32 AM
Quote from: Enzoman on September 11, 2016, 10:42:09 AM
So it's definately head gaskets and not some simple o-ring? This bike only has 7800 miles, is this common for the 998? Looks like I'm getting a shop manual. Do you think it's still ok to ride? I haven't seen any white smoke and the coolant level is fine.
To the best of my knowledge there is no replaceable o-ring under the nut, or between the head and cylinder. It isn't necessarily a common problem, but it happens.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Howie

#6
September 11, 2016, 12:42:11 PM
From the photo it looks more like a weep than a leak.  You can try re torquing, you might get lucky.  No guarantee how long it will stay that way.  I would ride it for now.

Enzoman

#7
September 11, 2016, 12:51:07 PM
Ok thanks guys. I'll just keep an eye on it for now. I noticed that it really only starts bubbling when it gets around 220 and the fans come on. One other question, does the ECU control the fan operation or is that done by a temp sensor wired directly to the fans? It would be nice to lower the setpoint to somewhere around 180 degrees.

Thanks

ducpainter

#8
September 11, 2016, 02:19:36 PM
Pretty sure there's a sensor that's wired through the ecu.

You can put them on a switch with a relay to turn them on whenever you like.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Enzoman

#9
September 11, 2016, 06:22:21 PM
Thank you Ducpainter

Enzoman

#10
September 11, 2016, 09:04:19 PM Last Edit: September 11, 2016, 10:11:49 PM by Enzoman
Hey guys, I just found this in the service manual that I downloaded. It says there is a special washer and o-ring under the castle nut. Do you think that the cylinder head stud actually goes through the water jacket and thats why the o-ring is there? It sure would be alot easier since the manual says to remove the engine to take the heads off. Any thoughts on this?





Thanks,

Andy

ducpainter

#11
September 12, 2016, 03:20:12 AM
I have to take back what I said...there is an o-ring under the washer...886.4.118.1A O-ring.

The studs don't go through cooling passages though, and I really can't figure what the o-ring actually accomplishes.

Maybe Speeddog or the vet knows.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Enzoman

#12
September 12, 2016, 09:10:16 AM
I rode it some more, now I have some oil on the front of the horizontal cylinder head and it's dripping down onto the starter. It looks like it may be coming from that nut in the picture, not the green one, but the other one. It's just a small drop but it's coated under the engine. Could there be an oil passage in there and thats what the o-ring is for? Doesn't quite add up though since the other nut is turned green from corrosion which would make you think coolant right?

Speeddog

#13
September 12, 2016, 10:10:41 AM
I've not had the heads off of a 749/999, so I've not seen a head gasket.

From the parts catalogue, it looks like there's some sort of sealing feature around the studs on the head gaskets.
Buuuut, said parts catalogue drawings are not always accurate.

Ducvet to the white courtesy phone....
- - - - - Valley Desmo Service - - - - -
Reseda, CA
(951) 640-8908

~~~ "We've rearranged the deck chairs, refilled the champagne glasses, and the band sounds great. This is fine." - Alberto Puig ~~~

Enzoman

#14
September 13, 2016, 08:25:40 AM
Where is the vet? I can't seem to find a good photo of the cylinder head online. At least one that shows that kind of detail.
Print
Go Up Pages1 2
User actions