So I bought my 04 S4R about 2 weeks ago and it appears that have an oil leak that I missed when inspecting it.  I cleaned the engine really good and the leak is coming from the top of the horizontal (front) cylinder.  The exact spot looks like an valve inspection plate(?) on the top of the head that is directly between the intake manifold and behind the radiator.   I let it run for about 10 minutes and I could see oil filling up the low corner of the gap between the 'inspection plate" and the head and then slowly run down the engine.  This is my first ducati so I don't want to go tearing into it before I know what I am getting into.  This appears to be a simple gasket fix but I would like some reassurance before I do any things.  Any help would be great.  If you need any more info that would be helpful please let me know.

Try tightening the 4 bolts that hold it to the head.

If that doesn't do it, remove that cover, clean it, the 'gasket', and the surface on the head, and reassemble.

Thanks so much for the help.  I will try this tomorrow.  I take it there is no replaceable gasket that I will have to have on hand if the cover needs to come off?

Quote from: Speeddog on October 03, 2008, 01:23:52 PM
Try tightening the 4 bolts that hold it to the head.

If that doesn't do it, remove that cover, clean it, the 'gasket', and the surface on the head, and reassemble.

The 'gasket' is a stamped steel part, covered with a sort of rubbery paint.

I've had very good luck with them sealing, even after re-use.
Just clean it with some contact cleaner before reinstalling.

If it still leaks, get a new gasket.

Thanks for the help again.  Turns out who ever did the 6K service didn't do a great job of keeping things clean before he put the cover back on.  There was a clump of something on the gasket preventing if from sealing.  Unfortunately it bent the gasket just a bit.  I didn't have a replacement so I just cleaned everything well and put it back together and hope it holds.  So far so good.  At least it was something easy.