Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Just changed the oil and....

[Steve]

Just changed the oil and found some silver flecks in the strainer. Now I presume this is something to do with flaking rockers!. Now how expensive is this likely to be? or is this a case of giving up and selling the bike. The bike's a '95 748 by the way.

mate, it needed be, it doesnt always point to the rockers ... if it is then they cost on average about £85 each for the latest spec ones .... and I'd know ... I've had 7 in the last 12 months ... its not terminal and easily treatable, just not cheap as the heads have to come off ...

my advice would be call Neil at Cornerspeed and have a chat with him ...

www.cornerspeed.co.uk

good luck mate ...

[Bianchi]

It might only be swarf......don't despair as Dibble says....seek further advice.

[rockhopper]

Heads dont have to come off, just need to take the cams out.

[antonye]

I had this too, but after the initial heart attack it turned out to be "just" swarf, probably from the gears.

The chrome coming off the rockers is very distinctive and it's little patches of very thin silvery metal, compared to the chippings of swarf that come off the metal.

Guido had a really nice pic, but it's not in the thread any more...
http://ducatisportingclub.com/contro...d.php?tid=3893

[Steve]

hanks guys after looking at Antony's link of his drain plug mine was clean. The bits I found were on the strainer.

Best I speak to Neil at Cornerspeed

BTW can you take the strainer out or do you have to drain the oil all over again

[DC]

I have just changed my oil.

I have also found a very small amount of swarf on the magnet. It looks like the photo in the link that was put up.

I always thought that a tiny amount of swarf was normal. Anyhow, the bike is still pulling hard. Running crisply and going like the clappers and topping 160 with not much effort.

So ill just keep an eye on it

[rockhopper]

I dont think chrome is magnetic so you wouldnt find it on the sump plug.

If you do have any worries i would get it looked at sooner rather than later. Bad rockers wont affect the performance of the bike to any noticable degree but if you leave it too long it will take out the cam shaft as well then you are talking serious money!

[keith_mann1959]

Be careful, i had swirly little bits of swarf on my 96 748 bp.
Crankshaft oil way plug was unwinding itself and grinding away on the inside of the cases.
One blown main bearing and new pistons later ( £1340, thank you ).
This type of swarf will be Ali rather than steel, if you are comfident you can tell what you have got then all might be well.

[rockhopper]

Good point, hadnt thought of that one.