[McCubbinsjl]

So I had been taken out while living in California and had to have the engine rebuilt on my 1098 by my trustworthy techs in California. This was 2012 and then I went overseas for a year and my buddy taking care of the bike always said it kept running hot.. I have had the water pump replaced and regular services. I live in Houston, TX now and in May I went in for service I was told that it was very low on coolant and they put it back in.
They don't ride the bikes apparently and told me that in the shop that it cooled back down to normal temps like it was supposed to. This past weekend I checked the fluids because it was still hitting 230F when riding. The coolant was low again and I saw that there was dried coolant on the horn and fan. I put more coolant in it and tonight at a light it hit 230F again and looked down and saw coolant on my foot and it was coming from the Radiator cap.
I need a place in Houston that will give me the real fucking deal on my bike so I can fix the problem and not just look at me as a wallet with money in it. Its getting to the point tat its too expensive to keep around.
Any suggestions? I only know of two places on Highway 59 that work on Ducati's and I don't want to take it to them now.

 

[Joeii]

Sounds like your radiator blew a leak. Wildly common problem on these early bikes. It's due, most likely, to the design flaw of the upper support and it's inadequacy to properly - and permanently - serve it's purpose. Many threads on here will illustrate the problem. Or, you're just lucky and sucked in a good rock.

Simple fix either way. Just take it out and have it tested and repaired by a competent radiator shop. Or shop for another one that was manufactured post 2011 (I believe)- the year Ducati remedied the issue with a beefed up support mount.

And check to see if there is any blockage in the cooling system; leakage from the radiator cap
Is interesting.

 

[tye1138]

The radiator cap failing is a very common issue. Its just a spring loaded cap with a rubber seat. I'd first replace it with a new one, aftermarket is fine and see what happens.

The radiator leaks from the mount which is further in then the cap, so you may not see it. I personally haven't seen a 848/1098/1198 with a cracked mount/leaking radiator. But I have seen many with a bad blow-off valve on the cap.

 

[bstar360]

The radiator cap failing is a very common issue. Its just a spring loaded cap with a rubber seat. I'd first replace it with a new one, aftermarket is fine and see what happens.

The radiator leaks from the mount which is further in then the cap, so you may not see it. I personally haven't seen a 848/1098/1198 with a cracked mount/leaking radiator. But I have seen many with a bad blow-off valve on the cap.

I couldn't disagree more.
I have never heard of caps letting go but the radiator failing has been a common fault on the 1098's.
I got mine fixed myself at the local rad shop,
$120

 

[Warp Racer]

Radiator cap rubber seals can deteriorate over time, I know, as it happened to my 999S. Get your radiator & radiator system pressure tested for integrity.

 

[McCubbinsjl]

Someone told me that I have to swap out the cap and seals after I have a leak. I guess they are talking sense.
But that doesn't explain why the bike is running at 215F when its 85F outside on the open highway then 230 as soon as I get to a sign/light.

 

[tye1138]

Someone told me that I have to swap out the cap and seals after I have a leak. I guess they are talking sense.
But that doesn't explain why the bike is running at 215F when its 85F outside on the open highway then 230 as soon as I get to a sign/light.

Its a pressurized system, if there is a tiny bit of leaking, it will raise the temperature.

Yes, the radiator mount's crack and need to be fixed as well, that is ALSO a common issue. But you wouldn't see coolant near the cap if that happened because flys away during use. When a radiator cap fails, it can pool coolant very easily and you can see it pooling, especially after the bike has stopped.

I only based my diagnosis on what you said in your original post about seeing coolant dripping from the cap area. To me, its a no brainer the cap has gone bad.

 

[RIGS]

I would check the oil just for keeps and the smell of the fumes in the exhaust.
My previous 996 blew a head gasket and the coolant went to the oil and got mixed; it always keep it running hot so, I just keep adding coolant and temp stabilized to normal but just for a couple of hrs.
The smell of the fumes in the exhaust was weird not the normal gas.
Check it out since you had your motor rebuilt could had a bad gasket and never known.
Just saying as a precaution.
Good luck.

 

[HouTexDuc]

I had to have my radiator replaced under warranty on my '09 1198S due to the common failure at the upper left mounting bracket. I always have my bike worked on where I bought it at Northwest Honda on I45 North at the West Road exit. I have always been happy with their service.

 

[Dukaki848]

Having air in the system will cause the same problems.

 

[tye1138]

Having air in the system will cause the same problems.

Generally air in the system doesn't puddle coolant onto the floor as the OP mentioned.

 

[McCubbinsjl]

Im still waiting on the funds to troubleshoot this issue. I am hoping it doesnt call for an ebay engine swap

 

[NVTanner]

I know all to well about this since it happened to me a few months ago. I was stopped for gas, smelled coolant and saw some droplets on the left side cooling opening. I rode it home and found a small leak below the left side radiator hanger.

I bought a used one with the beefed up welds on the top from an newer 1198. Replaced it and it now runs a bit cooler than before.

First photo is of the leak below the left side hanger. It was incredibly small and just below the bracket. Second the third photos are of the top brackets and extra welded part in the newer radiators.

 

[Mtech]

When you filled it up with coolant, did you fill the reservoir or the radiator? The coolant leaking from the overflow hose is coming from the reservoir. I would check your cap to make sure it is good and then bleed the cooling system to make sure there is no air in the system. Also check if your fan is turning on. As you know, getting to the radiator cap and filling the radiator is kind of a PITA. I usually remove the fairings and the air duct when I bleed the system. Hope this helps.