Ducati 848 Engine Strip / Teardown - Vertical Head Damage

Hi Everyone, new video, new engine to strip down. This time I am stripping a Ducati 848 engine that has suffered a seized head and failure as a result.
In this video I will talk through the process of strip down highlighting the differences between this later testastretta series 848 engine and earlier belt driven engines in the range such as the Desmo's and Testa's used from the 916 to the 999.
Its amazing how similar the engines are and noticing the subtle changes that Ducati made as well as the obvious changes.
The next video will look into the engine to see if any replacement parts are needed.
Please Like, Share and Subscribe.
#Ducati848 #ducatiengine #engineteardown

[@axakias]

Best ducati content on youtube... Thank you for your time and effort.

[@DesmoWerx]

Much appreciated, thanks for the support 👍😎

[@paulmessikommer4027]

brilliant strip down, it helps me build confidence in doing it one day, partially or fully. Keep shredding Sir !

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks for watching Paul 😊

[@leonardodanieljeronimopera9055]

Fantástico, excelente tutorial ❤

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks 👍😎

[@admirvelic3728]

Love the videos, keep up with more of the videos on the motors. Maybe a full Desmo service video.

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks, great suggestion!

[@hotbrakepads]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks 😎

[@andyjones2134]

Another great video. I started a 998 refurb over a year ago, watched all these videos so it’s your fault lol. I had one corroded cylinder stud just like yours. Learned loads on the journey, belts, shimming valve clearances etc. It’s back together and running sweet, just waiting on fairing and tank from painters after a 4 month wait. Can’t wait to ride. Keep up the good work!

[@DesmoWerx]

Cool Andy, good to hear you took the plunge and did the engine yourself 👍😊 Hope the first ride goes well 😎

[@montoya197803]

Hello Andy. I am currently doing the same thing on my 998 engine that had problems building oil pressure. Any tips you can give would be appreciated.

[@joey2421]

I've been watching your videos and am inspired to tear my engine down after a double belt failure. I can't wait to tackle it amd learn more about my bike :)

[@michelefrison1000]

Non mi stanco mai di vedere i tuoi video molto interessanti

[@DesmoWerx]

Grazie, sono contento che ti piacciano.

[@mr2scroll538]

Thank you brother

[@DesmoWerx]

No problem, glad they are being watched 👍😎

[@Shinysideup]

Awesome content, always learn something when you post a video.

[@DesmoWerx]

Glad to hear it Ian 👍😎

[@Moosjwz]

Yesyes another engine build :D. Keep up the great work and content!

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks, will do! 👍😎

[@MrCornhole98]

Thanks for the vid. Also a good time watching the process.

[@DesmoWerx]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris 👍😎

[@philippelefevre1634]

Ciao, glad and interested with these futur vidéos about this engine, thanks

[@DesmoWerx]

More to come! 😊

[@jameshardy6277]

Brilliant video and expertly paced with the quick-time edits. Where-about are you based?

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks James, I am in Milton Keynes in the UK

[@dracdaddy9518]

Very excited for the 848 content! I have a few topics around these bikes that I would like your thoughts. Engine + Have you any experience with some of the 1040 big bore kits for 848? Would you recommend this path vs going the1098 transplant route? Suspention + Lots of folks seem to swap the front triples for 30mm offsets and use a linear rear link with a ttx. Do you have any content on swapping triples/forks or any other tips for setup on these bikes?

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Drac, On the engine front it really depends on why you need to do the work, if a damaged engine needing a rebuild then its worth pursuing the change, if not its just easier and quicker to change to a 1098 lump. The linear link with TTX is worth it for track action as the suspension will be more predictable for a given movement as the leverage ratio stays the same through its movement, however it will be slightly stiffer at the start of its movement. The offset change will alter the trail from the stock offset of 36mm so will shorten the wheelbase whilst marginally increasing trail so adding a little more steering stability. Personally I never had an issue with the stock offset, however I never rode a 1098 with less offset so it may be better and I missed out on that change! 😊

[@CirqueitOfficial]

Subscribed!!!!

[@DesmoWerx]

Welcome to the channel 😊

[@steverielly]

Do you need to remove the intermediate timing gears to split the case? That's the one special tool that I don't have, and the last item left before going at the engine case bolts themselves.

[@hansiwurst7492]

Back at it again! 👍🏼

[@DesmoWerx]

A few engine builds coming up

[@nickfletcher506]

Great content. As always 👍🏻👍🏻

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks Nick

[@seanashenden]

Absolutely love your content, thank you 🙏

[@DesmoWerx]

Glad you enjoy it 👍😎

[@aaronhughes4724]

Great stuff, really enjoyed this

[@DesmoWerx]

Glad to hear it 👍😎

[@dushyantkarthikeyan]

Great video as usual, I have just finished binge watching the Thunderbike series, being a 916 owner myself and working on my bike a lot it is a really nice reference series to have (And enjoyable even outside that). Thanks for the great content! As a video idea, would you consider doing an overview of all your tools and going over the Ducati special tools and how to source the Non OEM ones? Edit: I just saw the tech guide tools video... LOL Also, I think you and the thunderbike might have made a cameo appearance on bike world "Ducati Multistrada 1260S GT Living With Part 2" KZbin video( right around the 3:00 mark :P ) at the Ducati only trackday

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Dushyant, Glad you are enjoying the content, I have done a video on the general and specialist tools for a build. Its this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6eUf5Ssa8uWjtE And yes that's me at Silverstone in the Bikeworld video, nice spot 👍😎

[@vicepride2568]

Always great videos coming from you .. thanks for sharing !! Just out of curiosity, if you don’t mind sharing, it would be good if you shared your background and where dos all this knowledge come from? I bet most of it comes from experience in working on engines, but how did it all start? Is it just a hobby or does it somehow links up with your profession? No problem if you don’t want to share, as I said it’s just me being curious.

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks, might do a video on myself. Would rather work on a bike though 🤣🤣🤣

[@vicepride2568]

@@DesmoWerx lol that goes without saying 😁 As I said, it’s just a curiosity of mine so no pressure ... might be a good topic if I ever meet you at a desmoquattro track day 😬😉

[@pedroferrari1]

Another Great Video :) I will wait for a similar one on a 1299 engine :)

[@DesmoWerx]

I have a 1199 engine that I want to strip, it would be my first panigale engine as I normally only work on the belt driven engines. Watch this space.

[@pedroferrari1]

@@DesmoWerx perfect :)

[@steverielly]

This is brilliant, looks really easy to do actually.... Is there a good and accessible Workshop Manual on this? I have a 1198SP engine that I need to get taken apart as something has gone 'pop' inside that's left it jammed in gear. Looks like I should be able to get is stripped myself, so I can save those labour dollars on replacing whatever it is I've broken.

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Steve, yes it relatively easy, I don't think I have found a free 848 manual but the internet may help you out there. 😊

[@steverielly]

@@DesmoWerx Quick question - what were the sizes of the nuts you needed to "buzz" off with the impact wrench?

[@Messier87_M87]

Great content! Do you know if this motor locked up from not replacing the old belts? I have an 848 evo and had the 7500 mile service done last year. I thought about doing the valve check and belts myself, but after researching it, got too overwhelmed, lol.

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Dave, Hard to call the cause as the engine was already out of the bike and the previous owner had already removed a lot of the parts and damaged head.

[@arrowinquire]

@@DesmoWerx My question exactly - mine is starting to make a rapping sound that sounds like the front head. I'm hoping it's a mount of maybe a valve shim too loose. I have an endoscope - maybe look in through the spark plug hole and look for signs of piston/valve contact? (11.5k miles)

[@pasqualelotti1984]

You are great!!!

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks, glad you liked the video 👍😎

[@chrislee7817]

Interesting to see the differences between this an the earlier motors. Wonder why it has polished rods. What happened to the head by the way?

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Chris, I have an earlier set of cases lying around, might do a quick comparison video. My understanding is that the previous owner had the vertical belt slip/go loose and the resulting timing issue caused the valves to say hello to the pistons, luckily they bent and seized in the head so damage mainly to cams, journals and valve train. On first inspection engine looks okay but detailed checks will confirm.

[@mortirius1]

Did the cylinder come off the case easily or was there a lot of elbow grease involved?

[@DesmoWerx]

It had already been removed by the previous owner so I dont know.

[@tonymillen2901]

I have been watching your content for a few weeks; really helpful & encouraging. Do you have any hints for removing a swingarm pivot bolt on an 1198; I can budge it!

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Tony, Doe you mean the main pivot shaft or the actual bolt that secures it? If it is the shaft is it rotating? if so it means it is stuck on the swingarm bearing (Best case), usually due to corrosion, If it does not rotate then it may be stuck on the engine case (Worst Case) as well. Gentle force is the only way to remove them but it can cause damage so take extreme care in doing so. I usually back the pivot shaft bolt back a few threads then hit this in and then back on the other side to try and break down the corrosion, use plenty of penetrant oil to try and clear the corrosion out as you do it. Unfortunately patience is the key here. In some extreme cases I have had to cut the pivot to get the engine out, others come out with a little persuasion. If its really bad you run the risk of damaging the engine cases getting the shaft out. It may pay to take it to mechanic who has experience getting them out. Hope that helps

[@tonymillen2901]

@@DesmoWerx Yes, its the shaft itself. I did as you suggested with the bolt but to no effect. It rotates freely & moves in & out about 2mm. I have been applying Wurth Rost Off & even froze the shaft with pipe freeze spary. I even drilled & tapped the other end of the shaft to make a puller, but it didn’t work either. I’m now thinking about using heat before trying to cut it out somehow. I should have tried the shaft before stripping the back end out; its now immobile on my lift. Thanks for your guidance; very much appreciated.

[@vauzweirad]

Do you think a 999 crank+cylinders+heads would fit the 848 case?

[@DesmoWerx]

No, the cylinder stud pcd/spacing is slightly larger than the 999 series of engines.

[@WetherTripleOriginal]

I am doing the same project as you are doing but the sprocket that you take off on 10:18 is verry stuck on mine and I am afraid of damaging the sprocket itself. Anny tips or tricks you have done in yours? Keep up the videos they are great for building and rebuilding 👍🏻💪🏻

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi, apply some heat to the gear wheel once under a little tension from the puller. Sometimes it also helps to tap the gear wheel with a hammer (dont hit the gear teeth) the shock sometimes breaks the stiction between the gear and the crank.

[@taddshaa209]

hi.. very happy about your videos.. could you tell me, what mileage can ST4s (966cc) engine run until full engine rebuild with main bearings? thanks.

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi tad, it really depends on how well looked after the bike is. I have seen 40k in mileage with no rebuild and have also seen 3k failures. You will tend to know when the mains are on their way out as you will get either an engine rumble or screeching if they start spinning. Watch for metal flakes in oil changes to assess condition.

[@5463546]

Really enjoy your content 👍🏻Do you do work for anyone ?

[@DesmoWerx]

Sometimes. depends on what they want doing

[@okenshield]

Is the 848 evo engine a more highly tuned engine than the 1198?

[@DesmoWerx]

No not really, it might be slightly better spec than a stock 1198 for attention on cam timing etc but thats about it.

[@bryansautoandmotorcyclerepairs]

At 11:05 i noticed that you didnt have to use the alternator holding tool to remove that nut off. I need to do this project and i was thinking do i NEED this tool or is it not really necessary when removing and installing this nut ?? Get back to me thank you

[@DesmoWerx]

HI Bryan, don't really need it to remove the nut if you have a rattle gun with enough Torque. You do need the tool or something similar to hold the rotating mass still when torquing the nut back up.

[@bryansautoandmotorcyclerepairs]

@@DesmoWerx ok thank you very much for the reply

[@philnorman6862]

Hi I am currently rebuilding a Ducati 748s and would love it if you can rebuild the engine for me? If this is something you can do please let me know 😁 love your vids thanks Phil

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Phil, drop me an email at the address on the 'About' page.

[@philnorman6862]

Sorry mate can’t find a email address on your bio?

[@philnorman6862]

@@DesmoWerx found it 🤦‍♂️ Email sent 😁

[@nehar2692]

Will it be a good purchase if i am getting the bike for around 8000$ ? With some modifications done to it ?

[@DesmoWerx]

Depends on the history and condition. I assume you are in the US?

[@nehar2692]

@@DesmoWerx no , India, mate !

[@eizzwanguzzi8154]

Im prefer to wash the engine before tear it down

[@DesmoWerx]

If the engine is really bad I do as well, but often its not needed as I clean the cases in the solvent wash anyway which is far better cleaning medium.

[@robevans916]

The 848 mains are a known weak spot - really should replace them with the 1098 bearings with more roller balls. And ‘while you’re in there’ the 1098 pistons and cylinders create a fast revving 1040cc riot!

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will put this to the owner. Having done a little research I saw they are a common failure but did not know you could swap in the bush and bearing sets used on the other engines. He has thought of the 1098 idea but I thinks its down to finding good parts, the engines planned for a streetfighter not a track bike