Ducati 916 / 748 / 996 timing belt change, video 4

[@rudyochoa6868]

Today I changed the fuel filter on my 916. Thank you for your video. It is the best one on KZbin.

[@fabiopunk1661]

I know it is a HUGE rewards when the engine starts again after so much work. Well done!

[@spidiq8]

It is. Always that nerve wracking moment even after turning it over manually and when it starts and runs nicely it's great.

[@donharte890]

Great videos. Been putting off my first belt change for about 6 months. Just did it. You made it much easier.

[@gordonblackley8863]

These are a superb set of videos, used them for the first belt change on my S4R (996 motor) using the 5mm allen key method of tensioning, and couldn't believe how easy it was. Thank you. Gordon Blackley

[@spidiq8]

Thankyou for the kind comment, I'm glad they've been useful to you.

[@adilshahkadri]

Brilliant! Watched all 4 parts back to back. Have just bought a 916 and the belts are already done on it I have been told but your vids are great for future reference. Really well made without any fuss or stupid background music or special effects. Thank you for spending the time to make them.

[@spidiq8]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. If you're in any doubt about the belts having been done I'd recommend you do them anyway for your own peace of mind.

[@MrBeboopman]

just viewed all your videos back to back... full of tension!!!!! seriously that was brilliant. I had a 97 916 some years back, loved it but then moved on to a Busa but am currently sneak peaking at a 748. but thank you for the effort and precision. and regards from Eire..

[@johnbrannon6776]

One of the best instructional videos Ive ever seen! Thorough, precise, and informative. I will have this running on my laptop when I do my 748. Nicely done and many thanks!

[@spidiq8]

You're very welcome, glad it's of use. A lack of a thorough video prompted the posting of this one and lots of useful help from the club went into it

[@LukeDodge916]

Fantastic videos. I just purchased a 748 and I plan on doing the cam belt replacement before I take it for a spin. Best video I've seen for what me and the Duck have in store... Thank you much!

[@doca8792]

Thanks man. First time Ducati owner (996s), and I tackled this with the help of this video.

[@spidiq8]

Glad it helped. Enjoy your Ducati.

[@AverageTechDad]

I was a little scared to do my timing belts but after watching this i think im going to jump on it. Thanks spidiq8 Great video. I have a 95 916 and cant wait to see if you make a video on setting the valves.

[@fabiopunk1661]

Absolutely excellent video, thank you very much. I plan to do this on my 2000 ST4 (916 dressed up....) even if the mileage is not high but belts were changed 10 years ago. I will use the "sensitive finger" method for the belt tension as I have been doing this for years and never had a problem.

[@spidiq8]

If that method works well for you then it will be fine. I wanted to show all the alternatives and wanted to use the Facom tool to be certain I was getting the correct tension and was fortunate enough to be able to borrow one.

[@adriancartlidge8134]

brilliant set of videos,nice to see someone taking the time to show what they know and save people a fair few quid, well done m8 you get a massive thumbs up from me (a 996s owner myself) one point to mention is the rotation of the adjuster pulleys, they need to be turned anticlockwise.

[@spidiq8]

Adrian Cartlidge Thanks for that, glad they were useful to you, that's what I enjoy most about doing these videos. A good point on the tensioner pulley rotation too, while you're filming these things it's tricky to remember if you got all the info in there fully.

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome, glad it's useful to you, it's nothing frightening, main thing is to mark the belts and cam sprockets, that way you can't possibly refit them wrong. I'd recommend a cam holding tool, I got one from a guy in the us on Ebay, was about £9 all in. It's possible without as you saw, mine didn't arrive till after I did the video, but it'll make things easier. Beg borrow or buy a tension tool too, it's worth it for peace of mind. but err on the slightly loose side if you use manual method

[@axakias]

Excellent presentation!!!!! We all need a valve setting video!!!!

[@richardwelch5165]

HI Mate... 2 years after your video was posted I referred to this to change my 748 belts... good helpful video with good tips. thanks

[@spidiq8]

Thanks. Glad you found it useful. Did you use a tension tool or one of the other methods out of curiosity, I've heard a few use the allen key or even the rough guide with the twist but despite doing that with many cars I'm still wary to do it.

[@richardwelch5165]

i did the twist test and also the 5 mm allen key.... have you seen the newest way ? using a sonic tester to tune the tension harmonically..... over the top ? Have you still got the 916 ?

[@spidiq8]

Yes, I believe that came about with the 999 series, if you look for CA Cycleworks belt change video on a 999 or a 749 (don't recall exactly which), he uses that method with some open source sound software, a microphone and a laptop. There are a few smartphone apps that can be used as Db meters too but the potential problem is that phone mics certainly, (not sure about PC plug in mics), have a limited accurate range. At the moment I'm without two wheeled fun due to circumstances and cost, I'd love to do another bike review or two right now.

[@richardwelch5165]

| am nearly finished on a 1976 Yamaha RD400C total restoration too.. which i think a will sell as i have a 1974 Kawasaki 500 H1F i have just bought from america to restore... have too many bikes at the moment.....a fireblade, the ducati and a zxr400 lol

[@spidiq8]

Ha, yes, I've had a few points where I've had the too many bikes problem too, now I have too few. Thing is, if it gets to a point where you're servicing and working on them more than riding I think it's gone too far and it's time to sell one or two

[@spidiq8]

You have some stamina, I doubt even I could watch all my own videos back to back, :) Glad you liked them and if you have a chance at a nice 748, go for it, they're not getting any cheaper, in fact, with the current slump in prices overall this is about the best time you could buy! People grumble about the lower power, but lets face, it, theres more than enough in the 748, I'd have happily had one had a good one appeared. (In red though, everyone knows yellow ones are slower) :P

[@evaldez9898]

Thanks for this. You've saved me a bunch of money. I'm in the process of changing mine right now.

[@spidiq8]

That's great to hear and I'm glad it's useful to you

[@littlechicken963]

Well done ! I'm a tech but for metric bike but I had to work on my own 996 today . Thought I got some bad gas with water turns out it was I had a spark so weak on rear cylinder . Spark was so weak you could hold the plug and feel the spark . Swapped the two relays under the seat hit the start button and got a strong spark . Plugged it back up and the bike started .

[@littlechicken963]

Bad relay not sure why if the rear cylinder has a good relay it would start . Both cylinders were firing when it started . My only bit of advice to those who do this job is drain the tank first . I use a piece of hose with a slice cut in it that I insert my air blower into . It works like a vacuum cleaner to get all the fuel out or a ten dollar siphon pump can get the job done .not to hate on the way you did it. Dropping a two thousand dollar tank can ruin ones day . Cheers mate enjoyed this

[@spidiq8]

+freddy c No problem at all, hints and tips are always welcome and I don't pretend to be an expert, also having worked as a mechanic for some years I know there's always something new to learn and new ways to do old jobs too. Maybe your problem was the connection of the relays rather than the relay itself, electrical things are things that frighten me.

[@littlechicken963]

+spidiq8 you know with electrical problems the tool is use most is electrical contact cleaner . Most times that fixes it . Aside from charging issues that to me pretty easy . With my test light I can tell if the stator is bad or the regulator needs to be replaced . With the clamp on the positive side of the battery and with the probe touching each of the three wires from the stator if if light up I know my stator is grounded and should be replaced . If not the regulator is bad . I start simple checking the battery connections then the fuses and some thing as simple as the kill switch turned off . Most times it simple stuff . Years ago I worked on a race quad that the owner was a car mechanic who had replaced every electrical part and it still had no spark . I pulled out the book and looked at the wiring diagram and saw the was a negative wire junction block at the front of the unit . A small metal connector that looped the ground circuit . Quick cleaning and it started right up .

[@spidiq8]

That's useful to know, thanks. I think it's the fact that you can't see the electricity to figure out what it's doing like a mechanical component, to me it's all magic blue smoke which you try to not let escape, :)

[@sscarcello]

Excellent videos on changing the timing belts. I am going to change them on the ST4 I just bought. Thanks bud!

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome. Glad it helped.

[@kungfuhamster3]

Hi just watched your timing belt vids they are very informative and will keep watching your vids also subscribed ! Thanks for taking the time and effort in showing us how to do this and explanation. Kind regards Tony.

[@MrBeboopman]

hello spidiq8, sorry about delay in replying.. yep missed another 748 with an sp motor in it. Alledgedly !! But I did buy an rsvr 2003. stunning bike and all the shiny stuff to keep the italianofile happy...I still have my heart set on a 916/748 etc in the near future. Anyway have happy Christmas and a great New year.

[@spidiq8]

You too and enjoy your RSVR, Lovely looking bikes.

[@rolandgustavsson6015]

Very good videos,I'll use this videos this summer when I change my cambelts on my S4R,they are 2 years old and 7500 km now maybe it's to early but it can be a heavy cost IF one of them will brake!

[@spidiq8]

It's not only mileage but age and standing affects cambelts too. Better to change if there's any doubt. Good luck with it. You can now buy a locking tool for the cam under loads which helps and holds it in place.

[@rolandgustavsson6015]

@@spidiq8 where could I buy this tool?

[@spidiq8]

@@rolandgustavsson6015 Here's a current link. Mine is the same but a white plastic. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322620418235?hash=item4b1dace8bb:g:vl4AAOSwtVxZerX6

[@FX916]

Many thanks for sharing your tips, it´s a great video, doing this out of a workshop is not very comfortable. At least it´s looking less scary to me now.

[@spidiq8]

Don't stress it, it's easier than it looks and sounds. If in doubt, check and check again. Always rotate the first revolution by hand, (tyre or crank), that way, if you're out and get valve strike it won't be damaging and you just try again till it's right.

[@goducgo]

I thought you tensioned the belts with each cylinder at top dead center. With marks lined up. I really like your bar end indicators.

[@peterpaul100]

realy nice vids. Like the way you explaned the details and made the video

[@spidiq8]

Cheers, I hope you found it useful

[@spidiq8]

@armisttice Doing the valve clearances while the belts are removed is the perfect time to do that job but you can do it with the belts in place. I never got around to doing a valve clearance video but I'd like to at some point in the future if I get the chance to

[@MultiFireblade1000]

Brilliant work, very clearly explained, Thanks for uploading! ☺

[@spidiq8]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@SteveSmith-if2cc]

A Big thank you. Excellent video made light work of the belts..

[@spidiq8]

Steve Smith You're welcome, glad it was helpful

[@spidiq8]

Thankyou. I do want to do a valve clearance video too but current circumstances mean i'm not getting the opportunity to ride and enjoy the bikes, this also means the maintenance side is taking a back seat too as they're not getting used. I will try to get something organised as a few people have asked but can't specify when just yet, sorry. Meanwhile, check out user cacycleworks, he has some great Ducati maintenance videos and his 2 valve clearence videos can give a great idea of the process.

[@robertorochamartinsrocha7041]

Very nice videos. I still not have a Ducati but soon!!! thanks for the videos.

[@spidiq8]

+roberto rocha martins Rocha Glad you enjoyed them, thankyou for watching.

[@spidiq8]

Being a 95 yours should be a Strada right? With the short alloy subframe? Any pics or videos, you don't see original Strada's so often now, hope you're enjoying it, especially in this current weather.

[@jurajfarkas]

thumb up ,youre skillful man ,thanx for new expirience in motorcycle health care

[@fatguytriestuff]

Fair play to ya for putting that video together ,you covered everything .. I got the falcom tensioner there on eBay .. & have belts ..So all set ..cheers lad..😎😎

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome, it should all go smoothly, good luck and check everything carefully

[@rulechange6329]

Really useful video, thank you. Have you done a valve clearance video for same bike?

[@spidiq8]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful. I haven't done one on the valve clearances for this unfortunately.

[@MrBeboopman]

yeah strongly thinking of buying it. its 97 with Termis etc any issues other than the rockers to think about spidiq8. anyway I have done the horsepower thing for a few decades!!!! and still have the Busa for stardrive if required . Ha.

[@Mindlagoon]

Great set of videos. Thanks for posting them. My only comment is that it would've been useful to point out where the timing mark on the pulleys had ended up after you rotated the engine 270 degs to get the vertical cyl at TDC on the compression stroke, i.e. the marks had moved 135 degs due the drive pulley rotating just half a revolution for one revolution of the engine. Just as an extra piece of info for dimwits like me who thought the 270 degs applied equally to the drive pulley...!

[@spidiq8]

+BobbyChariot A fair point there, on any 4 stroke engine the crankshaft has to make 2 complete revolutions for the camshaft to make 1 complete revolution. so 360=180 720=360 This is due to the fact that the pistons have to rise and fall twice for a complete cycle and the inlet valves have to be open on one downstroke and the exhaust on one upstroke and closed the remainder of the time for the power or ignition stroke and compression stroke too. Hopefully that clarifies things and doesn't confuse it more :)

[@spidiq8]

I say go for it while the chance is there, they're not getting cheaper, what will happen now is some will get pampered, stored, displayed, babied etc and IF they come up for sale, will be very pricey in a few years, (Look at Z1's FS1E's, Kettles etc), the others will be used, and rough and the 'affordable' factor will dissapear once bought and money poured into restoring it. Check rockers for peace of mind, don't sweat the mileage, a reg used/serviced one will be better internally than unused.

[@spidiq8]

Thanks. I hope you found it useful.

[@blairguinea6811]

Nice vid................made timing belts non scary thanks alot

[@spidiq8]

Blair Guinea You're welcome, I remember being terrified of the thou thought of doing belts on these long before I got one because of the horror stories and thatsdespite having done them on a few cars working at a garage and many cars are more awkward regarding access.

[@blairguinea6811]

Spidiq8........It is a risk ....though a lot cheaper doing it yourself and you end up with some free tools into the bargain haha. I reckon I will do my isuzu trooper timing belt soon. I think the critical part of the operation is the tension in the new belt...........anyway thanks again, keep loving that V TWIN Duke !

[@emgeesea3983]

Excellent series, thank you, and I’m now going to tackle the timing belts on my 996. One question that is not clear to me: how exactly is the left side timing window used in this process. I can not find a good explanation of this anywhere. Thank you again!

[@spidiq8]

You're looking for timing marks on the flywheel which align through the window or with the viewing bolt removed depending on whether your engine has a window or bolt. If you remove both spark plugs and raise the rear on a paddock stand then rotate that whilst watching, you'll see the marks.

[@emgeesea3983]

@@spidiq8 Got it, thanks. The job went perfectly, thanks to your videos. Took me 8 hours, but at least it’s done right! Much appreciated.

[@thestar111]

Great video and great work. :)

[@spidiq8]

thestar111 Thankyou, hope it was useful to you

[@armisttice]

HEllo great video ! Do you have to make a valve clearances directly before/post timing belt change ? Or for example i can change the belts first, then head to service for valve adjustment ? Props for the Video !

[@Amr11959]

armisttice you will need to remove the belts to do valve adjustment.

[@dennisbuenas2976]

Thanks for these vids. 🖒🖒🖒

[@spidiq8]

Dennis Buenas You're welcome, hope they're useful to you.

[@MrBeboopman]

its not an sp but the normal bip. it appears to be babied but has 30ish on her with full service history.ill check all the entries partic for recent belts. im going to look at her and hopefully wont get red ducati brain fade :)

[@daveditch3523]

Thank you.

[@spidiq8]

You're welcome

[@tommygun6028]

Great video......

[@spidiq8]

Thanks, glad it was useful.

[@AverageTechDad]

Thanks i have pictures of it but ive redone the fairings and made it my own. i have an account on the ducati.ms website do you have one there it has alot of useful information. If you dont you sould go check it out. I know they would love your videos for sure. The pictures of the 95 are on my account there same name as here. Thanks again for great video.

[@MrAjamieson]

nice..................

[@spidiq8]

Not really. Good battery is a must, weak one does the starter no favours. Regular oil and filter changes with a good synthetic should be expected. The flaking rocker problem is the only real one and provided oil has been regularly changed it should be OK, get them checked if possible as they're expensive to replace. Engine paint flakes but thats cosmetic. Budget a belt swap unless you KNOW for certain they're recently done with proper Ducati belts. Otherwise, routine checks! Bearings, play etc

[@redgeracer23]

can i do this method on my 999..? i want to do it by my self but what will happen if get wrong with the tension belt? big thanks..

[@spidiq8]

Reggie Flores Yes you can, principal is the same on all the belt driven ducati engines. The 999 uses the testastretta motor but still uses belts and tensioners the same. Provided you follow the directions and rotate the engine fully by hand before fastening everything back up and hitting the starter button you can't go wrong.

[@redgeracer23]

OK thank you again i will do change my belt this summer..

[@captainamerica9353]

I have several questions, I don't see why, in most videos, the importance of counting all the belt teeth and all the paint markings on belts and cams. If one were to buy the plate that secures the cams, it shouldn't matter how many teeth you have or where the motor is positioned, right? Because the correct belt will fit, the cams are locked in place, and it would be obvious if you had the wrong size? And the belt tension should be even whether you're at TDC or not? And, since you do this every 2 years, have you considered a new video, with better sound (hard to hear you with the wind noise), slightly better camera work & resolution, etc? Perhaps streamline to two videos? It would be appreciated! The outside setting has good lighting, though. Good job!

[@spidiq8]

When I filmed this, my limitations were the camera I had and the weather, it is what it is. Yes, with a cam locking tool, provided none of the wheels were moved, remove old belt, replace with new belt, I didn't have the cam locking tool at the time of filming. Marking and counting the teeth is never bad idea on ANY interference engine, just one tooth out can equal expensive engine repairs when the piston gets up close and personal with the valve, Belt and braces approach as it were or measure twice, cut once, whatever your preferred adage is. The belt tension is technically always the same, but the tension in various parts of the rotation will differ slightly according to where the load is applied on each cam. I would love to redo this with better resolution, more detail and cool edits, please let me know when you can create a few extra hours in the day and come and film and edit it for me. :D I hope that you found the video useful despite the misgivings of old resolution and sound.

[@captainamerica9353]

@@spidiq8 , alas, I'm not a Tech Guy, so I can't help you make a better one! But now I understand the importance of counting the teeth and the markings. Better to be cautious with these engines!

[@MrBeboopman]

apol spidiq8 and nyck replied incorrectly... long day!!! spidiq8 read reply to nyck.

[@geraldisabel9152]

hmm.....

[@spidiq8]

Would you care to expand on that please? I'm not sure what you mean.