Battery acid on my engine - (bad, DNA, bad) - Page 59 - Ducati Monster Forums: Ducati Monster Motorcycle Forum

cycletease1 · 05-27-2005, 11:29 AM

Another monster taken by the leaking battery.

When I read this post orginally over a year ago I thought that I read only 750s and up were affected by this and the 620s battery had a different part number.

While washing my bike last weekend I noticed some corrosion which sent up some red flags. Lift the tank, battery acid everywhere. It is not as bad as some of yours, but it wasnt pretty.

I now have the Yuasa and I followed the recommendations about putting it into a ziplock. What a mess!

05-27-2005, 01:13 PM

This points up one of Ducati's failings. It's cheaper to deal with this issue one bike at a time, rather than to issue a recall of all affected bikes.

I was victim to the same sort of deal. My 996 had chrome-flaking rockers and needed them replaced. This is a common fault with the older superbikes. They should have recalled them all.

They make the repairs and then make you sign a contract promising not to tell anyone!

Cheers,

Andy

ducpainter · 05-30-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott R. Nelson

The overflow tube came loose on mine and I now have acid damage all over the left side, but it's my own fault. *I'll have to get it repainted one of these days.

Same thing happened on my Monster. Did a bunch of damage. Had the frame powdered gloss black. Engine at a later date.

KwayZeeyT · 06-01-2005, 11:10 AM

Boy I wish I would have found this thread before last weekend. I was just under the tank and had my battery out to install my PC III and clean up some wiring. I have a 2003 800, and I was wondering what effect laying the battery on it's side would have. I didn't notice any acid or acid damage, but you can be sure I will be checking that battery as soon as I get home from work.

I also have the TPO rectifier relocation kit. Hopefully keeping that cool should reduce the risk of any voltage spike or voltage runaway due to high temps. That thing used to get HOT but does much better now.

Also that battery mat looks like a must have. Does anyone know if you can get them at any of the "local" stores like AutoZone, Pep Boys, Advance Auto, ect?

Speeddog · 06-01-2005, 11:57 AM

If your battery is a Yuasa, you shouldn't have any problems.
Nearly everybody who had a GS or Fiamm brand battery replaced it with a Yuasa, and I've heard of zero Yuasas leaking.

KwayZeeyT · 06-01-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeddog

If your battery is a Yuasa, you shouldn't have any problems.
Nearly everybody who had a GS or Fiamm brand battery replaced it with a Yuasa, and I've heard of zero Yuasas leaking.

If it is a GS it is definantly going to go. I'm hoping that since it was a left over and spent a extra year on the showroom floor, that maybe it already has a Yuasa from the factory (or swapped by dealer).

KwayZeeyT · 06-01-2005, 01:31 PM

So I was posting a picture of my filter pods, when I noticed this...

I guess it's replacement battery for me. >

[attachment deleted by admin]

mangeldbug · 08-07-2006, 07:18 PM

I just switched out my OEM sealed battery due to it leaking all over the place. My valve covers and engine fins are all stained from the acid and it ate off quite a bit of whatever coats the valve cover (paint?). I just got the bike a month or so ago and since it is a 2002, it has no warranty. The previous owner seems to have done absolutely nothing with the bike (no new belts, no oil change, the chain was never even cleaned or lubed) and I bought it at 2000 miles.
I cleaned if off as well as I could, but Im upset.

I replaced it with a WestCo battery.

juk80 · 08-08-2006, 04:14 AM

mines the same after 6000km (4000mls). It was actually first picked up in my warranty period but was told it was not from the battery but from water sitting on the head after washing it. Didn't believe it then but its the only problem the bikes ever had. Compared to electrical trouble i've had before with a MH replica and another 900ss at least its an easy fix but at least none of there problems were detrimental to the bikes finish etc - Just the rider.

Took my battery out yesterday to deal with this anoyance after noticing some acide burn on the swing arm - sad to see such a huge number of others with such a crappy problem that should have been pointed out to everyone. I'll be sure to tell everyone i know.

jwhite · 08-09-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeddog

If your battery is a Yuasa, you shouldn't have any problems.
Nearly everybody who had a GS or Fiamm brand battery replaced it with a Yuasa, and I've heard of zero Yuasas leaking.

Speeddog, I have a Yuasa and it did leak.* The overflow tube was disconnected so the acid leaked on my heads.* Here is something that puzzled me.* I did not replace my battery after the leak, but I will be replacing it today.* I was riding hard for about an hr this weekend and stopped at a stopsign.* I heard a* loud ping...something hit the bottom of my tank.* *???* I pulled off of the road and raised the tank.* *To my surprise the battery is blowing the water caps off like bottle rockets.*

* I wanted to ride today but I can't.

.* I dont know if the Tx heat has anything to do with it....*