Overheating S4Rs - FIXED!

[newslacker]

My S4Rs, at 16k miles, has started overheating in traffic. At 225 degrees it shuts itself off... I checked the fluid and the lines, and the fans come on at 205 though they can't keep up.. so I'm thinking bad water pump. There's a recall out there affecting 8 units and mine was built the month before, according to the sticker. Chances are slim but you never know. She's in for a check up at AMS. Anyone else experienced overheating this summer? Is this a normal liquid cooled Ducati thing?

[swanny]

I haven't had any issues with mine.  I rode to work a couple of days last week and when riding home around 4pm the temp went up to 186 degrees.  The temp outside was upper nineties.  Sounds like a definite issue.  Good luck with getting the issue resolved.  Let us know the outcome.

Swanny

[bryant8]

No first had experience yet with overheating on my bike, but I have yet to see a 225 off the coolant readings that the gauges give.  It could be time for a coolant flush and refresh.

[RichD]

My S4Rs, at 16k miles, has started overheating in traffic. At 225 degrees it shuts itself off... I checked the fluid and the lines, and the fans come on at 205 though they can't keep up.. so I'm thinking bad water pump. There's a recall out there affecting 8 units and mine was built the month before, according to the sticker. Chances are slim but you never know. She's in for a check up at AMS. Anyone else experienced overheating this summer? Is this a normal liquid cooled Ducati thing?

It is a 2007.
It's under warranty.
It's at AMS.

I wouldn't worry any more about it.

Seriously.

[fastwin]

Usually the temp gauge on my ass hits the red before the coolant gauge does on the 999... damn BBQ pit under the seat! Not to harp on jap bikes but I noticed my Gixxer never got over 168-172 on the Muenster ride... of course 100mph air flow helps! Was curious what Lisa's 999 was reading. Patrick, they are the same motors, your S4RS and my 999, never had that problem. Betcha AMS will figure it out.

[never2loud]

P-fhhht, I never look at my gauges - I'm too busy tryin' to stay outta y'all's way 

The cooling fans on the SBK click on around 200 degrees, drops the temps down to something like 180 or something... Almost always while I'm sitting at a light - ambient temps above 85 - so I can't say I've had any issues with over-heating.

From your description, I'd say it's a bad water pump.

[Duc L'Smart]

Hit up AMS for an official ruling

[Duc L'Smart]

P.S.- Glad you're still alive

[cdc]

My ST4S recently got to 225 and did not shut down.  Ambient temps were high 90s. 
How've you been?

cdc

[newslacker]

AMS called me back and they got it up to 230 without shutting down. This is bizarre to me since it has never run over 210 degrees. The fans typically keep it in a reasonable range. It has a tendency to cut out when just opening the throttle when it's hot, and that may explain the dying in traffic, but this behavior doesn't *feel* normal. They are going to ship it to Alvarado and look into it there. My gut tells me the bike isn't able to cool itself effectively, even after a coolant refresh.

Will the other S4Rs riders post their ambient readings with the current high-90s environment. Freeway and traffic readings appreciated.

I will be sans bike on Saturday. 

[swanny]

184 when cruising down the highway.  When stopped at a light it pops up to about 200 but cools right back down when moving again.

I have never seen my bike go over 205 degrees.

Swanny

[♣ McKraut ♣]

i'm going to have to look into this watercooling thing...the SS at highway speed on a regular warm TX day is usually 230F...stop and go will see 265-270F....and i've seen higher than that.  she's a beast....you don't want any.

[RichD]

i'm going to have to look into this watercooling thing...the SS at highway speed on a regular warm TX day is usually 230F...stop and go will see 265-270F....and i've seen higher than that.  she's a beast....you don't want any.

The temperature YOU see is OIL TEMPERATURE.
Different animal all together.

If it didn't get to be AT LEAST 220 I would WORRY.  (no joke)

If it gets much over 350 add a second cooler...

[cdc]

i'm going to have to look into this watercooling thing...the SS at highway speed on a regular warm TX day is usually 230F...stop and go will see 265-270F....and i've seen higher than that.  she's a beast....you don't want any.

Rich,

Get a temp guage that replaces the oil filler plug on the right hand side of the motor.  Assuming that it is accurate, it will give you a "second opnion" of your oil temp to compare with what you stock guage reads.  I saw one on DLS's Monster before it became Cher's bike which was her bike to begin with if she bought it new.... oh forget it.

cdc

[bryant8]

http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/DTG/Accessories/DTG.html