Running hot

[zedsaid]

So i'm nearing 2k on the odometer, stock 696 (aside from sliders)

It's always run slightly warm... 4-5 bars (136-160C and 161-175C respectively) but usually at four, occasionally dipping to 3 (111-135C) on cool nights when i take 'er easy.  According to a few concerned board members, the bike should be running 3 bars, occasionally 4.

Lately though, she's been running 5 pretty steadily, hitting 6 bars on occasion (176-190C).

I've had the dealer check on the "coil issue" said my bike wasn't affected.  Checked myself, according to the instructions posted on the tread about that issue, and as long as it is correct (and the manual is wrong) i don't have the coil issue.

Also, when i had the 600 mile service i had them check the warm running (when it was sticking closer to the four bars) and they put it through a heat cycle and noticed no abnormal heat.

Anything i should look out for?  Should i be concerned?

[Speeddog]

161 degC is 322 degF, which is quite hot, at least for an oil temperature, like the earlier model air-cooled Monsters have.

*However*, the temp sensor is on the vertical cylinder, which AFAIK, is the only engine temp sensor on the bike.
I think it's reasonable for a cylinder temp to be in that range.

The owner's manual says that gauge shows oil temp.
Oil temp consistently above 300 degF isn't a good thing.

[sbrguy]

i wouldn't be surprised if the new 696 runs just as hot or hotter than the older 620/695 engines that basically "needed" an oil cooler to keep the engine temps to a more manageable level.

put an oil cooler on that 696 and can almost guarantee that you won't see engine temps rise above 270F anymore.. i know my 620 was running at easily 270-310 without an oil cooler and with it on it never goes above 245 at the most now, and is usually in the 190-230 range.

[be350ka]

Will there be a specific kit for the 696, or is there a cooler out there already that would fit?  Price?

[zedsaid]

161 degC is 322 degF, which is quite hot, at least for an oil temperature, like the earlier model air-cooled Monsters have.

*However*, the temp sensor is on the vertical cylinder, which AFAIK, is the only engine temp sensor on the bike.
I think it's reasonable for a cylinder temp to be in that range.

The owner's manual says that gauge shows oil temp.
Oil temp consistently above 300 degF isn't a good thing.

Do you think taking the shroud and/or canister off would allow more airflow and therefore more cooling?

Any reasons for the high temps that i should be able to do anything about?  If they were offering an oil cooler i'd get one.

Is it possible that i'm running hot because i'm actually using 91 octane as recommended?

Might not help a lot that i'm running 90-100 mph on the freeway for most of my commute, but really anything less feels so slow on the bike.

[Speeddog]

What mods do you have, engine wise?

[zedsaid]

None, all i've done is put frame sliders and fork sliders on.

[be350ka]

Just for comparison sake, I have the Termis on my 696 and I am usually running around 3-4 bars for temp.  The other day I was sitting in traffic after an extended interstate run and it touched 5 bars for the first time ever.  But, after I made my way back to the open road I was back at 4 then 3. 

After reading this thread I called my shop and talked to one of the mechs and he said that 3-4 bars is normal.  Also, he said that touching 5 in heavy traffic is not unheard of and that I shouldn't be worried. 

Today I did a nice ride and I never got above 3 bars, but the outside temp was 65 or so and windy as hell.

I will be keeping an eye on the temp, but I have no reason to be concerned from what I have been experiencing.  Maybe next summer I will install an oil cooler if needed and if one is available. 

From what I see our temp differences could be from a couple of things.

• Termi exhaust installed on my bike.
  I rarely get over 85 MPH.
  

[He Man]

how many bars do you have? what does bar 1 represent? what does bar 5 represent?

322 is way too hot. Its okay to run it like that for a little while, but you better shut of and cool down or start moving casue its only gonna get hotter.

[Speeddog]

Hmmm.. is the oil level where it should be?

Not a lot of 696's here yet, so the anecdotal information is a bit slim.

I've not yet had my hands on one.

[zedsaid]

I am moving...

and the temps are listed in the OP (in Celsius)...

one bar is the bottom, so anything up to 80C (176F)
two = 81-110C (177.8-230F)
three= 111-135C (231-275F)
Four= 136-160C (276-320F)
Five= 161-175C (321-347F)
Six= 176-190C (348-374)
Seven= 191-200C (375-392F)
Flashing Danger Full bars (seven flashing)= >201C  (>393F)

[He Man]

thats....wtf...

anything above four bars is dangerous. You can feel the bike lose power ~300degrees (F) so why it even goes up to 392F is beyond me. Ideally you want your oil temp to be about 220-260degrees.which is the 3 bar range.

one of the more common reasons that our bikes run hot from factory is a lean mix. 320 is as high as you want to bring it. 5 bars is too hot.

Is there something special about the 696 that I'm not seeing here?

[Speeddog]

-------------snip-------------
Is there something special about the 696 that I'm not seeing here?

Check my post....
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12440.msg212883#msg212883

Temp sensor is on the vertical cylinder, so it may not *actually* be reading oil temp.

[He Man]

Check my post....
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12440.msg212883#msg212883

Temp sensor is on the vertical cylinder, so it may not *actually* be reading oil temp.

Ahhh. missed that! Now it makes a lot more sense. Is it suppose to be an oil temp gauge? I would inmagine your combustion chamber temp is near that of exahust temp. which would be much closer to your numbers.

[zedsaid]

Ahhh. missed that! Now it makes a lot more sense. Is it suppose to be an oil temp gauge? I would inmagine your combustion chamber temp is near that of exahust temp. which would be much closer to your numbers.

Yes, it's supposed to be oil temp.  Supposedly most other 696 without the "coil issue" run 3 bars... (there were some overheat issues with a few of the affected bikes though.

I hate that the manual doesn't say what "normal operating temperature's" are... I mean, i know that if it reaches the point where the bars flash, i'm in trouble... but if i've got a few bars to go 'til i'm there then i wouldn't otherwise be concerned. (aside from the concern expressed from Dave R from Duc Seatle, when i mentioned four bars in another thread).