Cam Belt snap after 42 miles from new belts fitted

[hotchillie]

Just bought a ben Bostrom 998s with 2k miles on her, the belts had been changed 42 miles ago and the vertical belt shredded itself, thus causing damage (expensive damage) bent inlet valves, valve guides split, possible bentpiston skirt.

Hi had a interesting conversation from the doctor of dukes ducati john and he told me what had happened, the belt changer a very big ducati dealer, had loosened thebelt tensioners to adjust them, and there is a stepped washer in the back of the pully that sits inside the bearing had dropped out, they had tigtened the pully back up and sent it on its way. the problemof this is the pully then dosent sit square and the belt then tracks off line and rubs on the other pully which has sharp edges and shredded it. this was on the vertical barrel, i checked the other pullys by putting a steel rule over it and this is the same, the belt on the horizontal is shreaded to but luckily has not snapped.

The problem i have the belts were changed last year and the bike has not been used, just started up once a month and warmed up. so no come back.

Please all be warned of this. This is going to cost £600-£1000 in parts plus labour. a very expensive weekend.

[Ghost]

Bugger sorry to read this, I had a guy brought his bike to me with a noise after he had changed his belts, fortunately he had only adjusted the idler the wrong way so the 2 runs were just touching, so was an easy fix.

Hope you get it sorted without too much wallet heartache.

[DEMON]

Care to let us know which duke dealer it was so we can avoid them ? you could just mention the city they are located in, thats prob enough for us to suss out who it was ...cheers

[hotchillie]

i dont want to say yet as i want to speak to them first to see if they want to help. will update you all though.

Also need bits if any one has them. valves, piston, guides.

[Chaz]

You should mention it to them they would have a record with the mileage & may do a sympathy claim or at least some decent discount! it's worth a try.

[skidlids]

Thanks for the warning, I will be doing the belts on my 998 in the near future so will be careful not to make that mistake

[Ray]

Here's the story.

http://www.ducati-john.co.uk/testastretta-cam-belt-tensioners.htm

There are a good few hints and tip on what to look out on a wide range of Ducatis on his site.

Well worth a look.

Ray.

[DEMON]

chillie
at least give us the town they are in !?

[Ray]

Even the best can fcuk up occasionally but how they deal with the problem is what really matters IMHO.

A hand up, yes we know we messed up and we will stand to fix it properly goes a very looooooooooong way IMHO.

Ray.