998 engine fails on day my warrantee expires!

Well you have to read this nightmare story. I have a 2002 Ducati 998. I recently had the 10,000 miles service performed before my warrantee expires as well as having 998R Race cams and ECU installed as part of the Ducati Performance Kit. As a precaution I also had them replace the timing belts. Well yesterday was my first full day or riding since my service and doesn't my engine fail! Loosing drive on the highway then sounding like a bag of bolts! I brought the bike to a stop as quickly as possible and hit the kill switch but I am sure the damage is done. I am flabagasted! To add insult to injury this happens on the day my warrantee expires. Also when phoning Ducati Road Side Assistance they refused to help. Stating my Road Side Assistance had expired. I even offered to pay but was offered no assistance. After about 3 hours, $120.00 and about two dozen phone calls I manage to get by bike home. I am thinking the worst here. I am just mentally exhausted right now. I love my bike but I don't expect this from a 2 year old well maintained bike. This adds to a long line of smaller problems such as two cracked coolant bottles, faulty speedo and battery that failed after 1 1/2 years. Can you tell I am not happy.

Very sorry to hear about your situation. Hopefully you will get some relief from Ducati once someone with some common sense gets involved.

Ugh... just adds to the anti-Duc camp. When I told my race buddies that I was getting a Duc they all but disowned me.

The Dealer that did the work is who should back you up. I think the cams and stuff would be outside the warantee anyhow. In all likelyhood the mods they did are what caused the problems. Good luck.

I would have to agree with Rick. The dealer does a grocery list of changes, lots of which if done wrong can grenade a motor and the first time out after his work, it goes BOOM. Hmmmmmm, Ducati or the dealer? I'm betting the dealer.

I agree and the dealer doesn't have a problem covering the work it's just scary this could happen! He suspects I have dropped a valve. The Ducati Performance Kit is covered when installed by a Ducati Dealer. It's just the inconvenience. I am pro Ducati I am just concerned the engine could fail so easily.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by simie7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I am pro Ducati I am just concerned the engine could fail so easily.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Anything reassembled incorrectly will seem like an easy failure. When it was assembled right, it ran like a clock for 10,000 miles.

Point taken Phil 998. I agree it must have been a dealer mistake, I'm sure he knows it too and doesn't need me telling him . I don't want to get nasty with him I just want it fixed. The worse thing is this week is going to be nice in Toronto Canada and I can't ride. My season is probably over


Modified by simie7 at 3:59 PM 11/15/2004


Modified by simie7 at 4:00 PM 11/15/2004


Modified by simie7 at 4:01 PM 11/15/2004


Modified by simie7 at 4:10 PM 11/15/2004

start out nicley with the dealer then if you have to get an attorney involved.

The dealer is offering to help...let's hear what went on once they get it open before the lawyers are called

Sounds like what my engine did. First ride after 12,000 mile service and the engine crapped out. Fried rod bearing.

The bike was towed to the dealer a couple of hours ago. I will let you know the outcome. This dealer is well respected so I am hopeful he will come through for me.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by erik996 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like what my engine did. First ride after 12,000 mile service and the engine crapped out. Fried rod bearing.</TD></TR></TABLE>My 999 also broke a rod bearing. same story no power then all this noise then shut off the bike and rolled to the side,let us know what happened,and do someone know if ducati rod bearings can be upgraded with aftermarket bearings of higher quality.good luck with your dealer and doesnt the last day of warranty still be part of the warranty.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by livharder &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My 999 also broke a rod bearing. same story no power then all this noise then shut off the bike and rolled to the side,let us know what happened,and do someone know if ducati rod bearings can be upgraded with aftermarket bearings of higher quality.good luck with your dealer and doesnt the last day of warranty still be part of the warranty. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I would assume there are quality bearings available other than the OEM ones. This site http://www.hpcoatings.com/engine_coatings.htm offers a coating for bearings. I would like to get the opinions of people like Shazaam, Brad Black, Jeff Koch and others before I spend the money. It's not really a money issue, but there's no sense wasting money, no matter how little.

My bike was well out of warranty, so my engine rebuild is coming out of my pocket, and I don't think my rod bearing failure had anything to do with the 12,000 mile service. In my case, it's just one of those things that happens.

I am wondering if anyone else has had an engine failure on their 998 Testeretta engine. Just curious. Still no diagnosis on my bike yet.

the 999 has the same engine.

Thought I'd give everyone an update. My 998 is still in the shop. It appears the 998 performance cams literally disolved/crumbled. Parts are on back order. These cams are meant to be basically 996R ones

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by simie7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thought I'd give everyone an update. My 998 is still in the shop. It appears the 998 performance cams literally disolved/crumbled. Parts are on back order. These cams are meant to be basically 996R ones</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well then they were set up incorrectly somehow. Those cams may be the hardest thing in the motor

I totally concur with Jason! Cam's just aren't made of butter. So I'd be looking for the dealer to be picking up the whole tab.

Agreed the dealer should take first crack at this - they do a bunch of work, and the first time you take it out, it fails. They need to step up and prove that they were not the cause of that failure.