Coolant where it shouldn't be

02-05-2020, 11:55 AM

Out of curiosity, I took the small two-winged cover off the NS crankcase of the S4R today, hoping to get a view of the flywheel, etc., and was surprised to find a dribble of red juice in the cavity. This appears to be coolant for the engine (the rad has the same red stuff in it) and I'm guessing this means the seals are going on the water pump just above the flywheel cover. The bike hasn't had much use in the recent past, either before I bought it or subsequently due to the lockdown. Obviously I need to watch the engine oil and coolant level, but is a slight weep on the water pump a big problem? Might it self-seal with some mileage?

Cheers,

Nick

slob · 02-05-2020, 03:29 PM

Any 'mayonise' in the timing window, oil sight glass or round the oil filler cap?

Stevedesmo · 02-05-2020, 05:18 PM

The seal on the pump is a potential failure point and will give the symptom you describe.
In an advanced case, the coolant level will drop and the oil level will rise as the coolant drains to the sump, and the oil will discolour as it emulsifies
If you drop the oil into a clean container you might see individual droplets of coolant
Running the engine isn’t a good idea as the oil will be less effective and could cause bottom end damage
The seal isn’t too hard to replace, but it’s a ceramic faced ring and needs great care to avoid chipping it

Luddite · 02-05-2020, 11:41 PM

Is it possible that the red liquid could be oil? If you're using Motul, then that's a cherry red colour

03-05-2020, 07:45 AM

The Man's a genius! But you all knew that anyway...

Thanks Luddite for that suggestion: it would appear that the dealer I got the S4R from, who did a general service, used raspberry-colour Motul oil because when I tip the bike I can see blood in the oil sight-glass. I've never seen such gaudy stuff before! Since I've only managed maybe 50 miles on the bike since I got it, I hadn't bothered to check the fluids. Odd that the radiator had red in it too, but maybe Motul make coolant too?

Anyway, big relief, and thanks again. I owe you a beer!

Nick

Darren69 · 03-05-2020, 08:22 AM

It's probably Motul 7100 then most likely, the Motul 300V I use is in mine bright green.

jerry · 03-05-2020, 08:39 AM

I am trying to get the impellor off my S4 to replace the seal but its not accessable ,, there is NO way of getting the C clip off the impellor drive to remover the impellor to get at the seal ????have tried every tool and method I know also taken it to 2 ducati technicians ,, the clip is on the reverese side of the impellor drive no tool can get at it ???

Darren69 · 03-05-2020, 09:14 AM

Did you read page 186 of workshop manual Jerry? I'm just as confused and I'm not even attempting the job, the diagrams aren't very clear and it just says remove snap ring (1) on the rotor shaft. No mention of any special tools.

Luddite · 03-05-2020, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

I am trying to get the impellor off my S4 to replace the seal but its not accessable ,, there is NO way of getting the C clip off the impellor drive to remover the impellor to get at the seal ????have tried every tool and method I know also taken it to 2 ducati technicians ,, the clip is on the reverese side of the impellor drive no tool can get at it ???

Are these threads of any help?

https://www.ducati.org/forums/ducati...#/topics/55658

https://www.ducati.ms/threads/2000-s...peller.700905/

Darren69 · 03-05-2020, 12:35 PM

So it would seem you need to push the impeller back through the case then pry the snap ring off. A job for at least 4 hands then, trying not to damage or scratch the shaft in the process?

Stevedesmo · 04-05-2020, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clockie

The Man's a genius! But you all knew that anyway...

Thanks Luddite for that suggestion: it would appear that the dealer I got the S4R from, who did a general service, used raspberry-colour Motul oil because when I tip the bike I can see blood in the oil sight-glass. I've never seen such gaudy stuff before! Since I've only managed maybe 50 miles on the bike since I got it, I hadn't bothered to check the fluids. Odd that the radiator had red in it too, but maybe Motul make coolant too?

Anyway, big relief, and thanks again. I owe you a beer!

Nick

You know those fault finding charts for an engine that won’t start, the ones that begin “is there petrol in the tank?”, and everyone thinks “what kind of person is that aimed at?”
That’s you that is

Darren69 · 05-05-2020, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

So it would seem you need to push the impeller back through the case then pry the snap ring off. A job for at least 4 hands then, trying not to damage or scratch the shaft in the process?

Desmo Manual shows how:-

Easy?

jerry · 09-05-2020, 04:34 PM

Well thanks to Darrens help I finally got the impellor apart ,its fiddly getting the circlip out but once thats out its easy , the bearings are good will get a new ceramic seal ,, the actual rotor of the impellor is covered in Calcification which I want to get rid off ??
tried vinegar but seems limescale cleaner may be better

02-05-2020, 11:55 AM	#1
The Clockie Guest Posts: n/a	Coolant where it shouldn't be Out of curiosity, I took the small two-winged cover off the NS crankcase of the S4R today, hoping to get a view of the flywheel, etc., and was surprised to find a dribble of red juice in the cavity. This appears to be coolant for the engine (the rad has the same red stuff in it) and I'm guessing this means the seals are going on the water pump just above the flywheel cover. The bike hasn't had much use in the recent past, either before I bought it or subsequently due to the lockdown. Obviously I need to watch the engine oil and coolant level, but is a slight weep on the water pump a big problem? Might it self-seal with some mileage? Cheers, Nick

03-05-2020, 08:22 AM	#6
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	It's probably Motul 7100 then most likely, the Motul 300V I use is in mine bright green. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

03-05-2020, 08:39 AM	#7
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,803	I am trying to get the impellor off my S4 to replace the seal but its not accessable ,, there is NO way of getting the C clip off the impellor drive to remover the impellor to get at the seal ????have tried every tool and method I know also taken it to 2 ducati technicians ,, the clip is on the reverese side of the impellor drive no tool can get at it ??? __________________ MONSTERMAN

03-05-2020, 09:14 AM	#8
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	Did you read page 186 of workshop manual Jerry? I'm just as confused and I'm not even attempting the job, the diagrams aren't very clear and it just says remove snap ring (1) on the rotor shaft. No mention of any special tools. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

03-05-2020, 12:35 PM	#10
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	So it would seem you need to push the impeller back through the case then pry the snap ring off. A job for at least 4 hands then, trying not to damage or scratch the shaft in the process? __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

02-05-2020, 03:29 PM	#2
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,707	Any 'mayonise' in the timing window, oil sight glass or round the oil filler cap?

02-05-2020, 05:18 PM	#3
Stevedesmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: wirral Bike: S4r Posts: 50	The seal on the pump is a potential failure point and will give the symptom you describe. In an advanced case, the coolant level will drop and the oil level will rise as the coolant drains to the sump, and the oil will discolour as it emulsifies If you drop the oil into a clean container you might see individual droplets of coolant Running the engine isn’t a good idea as the oil will be less effective and could cause bottom end damage The seal isn’t too hard to replace, but it’s a ceramic faced ring and needs great care to avoid chipping it

02-05-2020, 11:41 PM	#4
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	Is it possible that the red liquid could be oil? If you're using Motul, then that's a cherry red colour

03-05-2020, 07:45 AM	#5
The Clockie Guest Posts: n/a	The Man's a genius! But you all knew that anyway... Thanks Luddite for that suggestion: it would appear that the dealer I got the S4R from, who did a general service, used raspberry-colour Motul oil because when I tip the bike I can see blood in the oil sight-glass. I've never seen such gaudy stuff before! Since I've only managed maybe 50 miles on the bike since I got it, I hadn't bothered to check the fluids. Odd that the radiator had red in it too, but maybe Motul make coolant too? Anyway, big relief, and thanks again. I owe you a beer! Nick

09-05-2020, 04:34 PM	#13
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,803	Well thanks to Darrens help I finally got the impellor apart ,its fiddly getting the circlip out but once thats out its easy , the bearings are good will get a new ceramic seal ,, the actual rotor of the impellor is covered in Calcification which I want to get rid off ?? tried vinegar but seems limescale cleaner may be better __________________ MONSTERMAN