[thedoc46]

So my FT was due for its first oil change, given its now 600miles old. So anyway, cos its a Ducati, and well Italian bikes are just that little more temperamental, I decided to do everything textbook, and by that, i mean, buying the proper oil that the dealer uses, buying a new crush washer, even set my torque wrench to 32ft lb to tighten the oil drain bolt, instead of my usual hand tight and 1/4 turn. BUT !!!!!!!! things didn't go according to plan.

My drain bolt felt like it wasn't tightening according to spec. Even double checked myself with a 2nd torque wrench, cos you know that feeling, when you say to yourself, surely it should of clicked by now... So i even grabbed a 2nd 1/2" torque wrench along with an adapter, that was correctly set as i had just used to tighten the big 14mm hex bolt, and the inner gauze thingy to 32ft lb.

Anyway, goddam bolt just fell apart on me, like as if it was made of cheese. Of course not before i turned it in too much and stripped some of the thread of the casing.

TBH, i think i'm probably OK. And really i could even run down to Autozone and pick up a replacement 12mm 1.50 pitch drain bolt, but it probably won't sit flush, so i'm still going to do it properly and get the proper Ducati one, even though it literally fell apart on me, with very little force don't forget. 32ft lb, isn't a whole lot of torque !!!

It can only mean one thing.. The metal they used is crap ! Just being honest. My bike was built in Taiwan, and now I'm getting nervous about the rest of the components. I hope to dear god, that this was a one off, and that this bike isn't going to be plaqued by poor quality. This really should NOT of happened on a 600mile bike.

and just to show you, i'm not crazy, 42nm is 32ft lb thereabouts..... Just as i had everything set !!!

 

[takeiteasy]

Does not surprise me. That is only the start of "problems".

 

[Ducati Ink]

I have always hated the recessed drain plug, prone to stripping, it was a fluke , but you don't need a torque wrench just go till snug

 

[thedoc46]

I know, and now i'm just finding out that the goddam service manual has a misprint. The 42nm spec on page 104 is for the old 22mm drain bolt, that was on the Monsters, and NOT for the 12mm drain bolts that are on the Scrambler. So there we have it, ladies and gentleman... Being anal and following the word of the workshop manual instead of going on feel has cost me !

But at least in a way i feel better that its a geniune mistake rather than a quality issue. So as long as i can still tighten the replacement i'll be getting tomorrow and not experience a leak, then it'll be all good.

Part of me is wondering if this misrprint is done on purpose ? Get DIY'ers to fork out for an entire new engine case + all the labor involved, for not going to the dealer to be fleeced on the oil change price?

 

[Ducati Ink]

No , relax , your first change should have been free anyways from the dealer. Anyways the bike is awesome. You don't need to go overboard . Just ride it enjoy it and keep it running. Simple.

 

[stavely]

You're right that is an error in the manual. And a really bad one with as you say potentially hugely costly consequences.
As far as I've heard it's the only error but anyone chip in if you know of others.

 

[DaveInWoodland]

The older I get the more lazy I get. Also have more money which relates to having others do chores I used to. That and it's a pain turning in the oil for recycling.

 

[AIRider]

My rule with oil drain plugs is always the same, "until snug then a little more", and thats it. Never had any problems, ever. All I would do, is monitor for drops of oil under the bike/car over the next few days.

 

[Xtyling]

Doc46: I think your FT was manufactured in Thailand. Taiwan would probably a better.

Regarding quality of metals. I am convinced Ducati got the Scrambler to 380 pounds by using the lightest and or cheapest aluminum and materials possible.

 

[thedoc46]

Rec'd my new OEM drain bolt and crush washer on Fri (i had previously used a temp drain bolt from a local auto store, and existing crush washer. On the temp bolt i was seeing a little sweat. Not much. but with a flashlight after a couple of days, i saw a little wetness around the crush.. New one, dry as a bone... Granted its only been two days, 100miles, but still dry as a bone. They are slightly tapered differently. So i think i'm good. And got a lucky escape.. Sorry to bitch about quality, when it was really human / printed error. Yep i should of known better than to follow the word of workshop manual. I believe the correct ft lb should be around 20, and the oil filter, around 32ft lb, which can be achieved by hand and some grippy gloves... That's not leaked either.