Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
All Models
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031
Date:
To:
From:

June 16, 2023
Dealer Principal, General Manager, Service Manager, North American Dealer
Network
Richard Kenton, Technical Director
Dan Schwartz, Service Area Manager

Dear Dealers,
This bulletin is to inform you about the precautions to follow for cleaning the engine
component sealant, and in particular the crankcase covers.
In fact, we have found cases of engine breakage after workshop operations (such as water
pump replacement) caused by the presence of abrasive material coming from the tools used
for cleaning, such as 3M-Scotch Brite sponges, sandpaper, and/or abrasive stones.
Crank pin
(clutch side)

Crank pin
(flywheel side)

Electron microscope images from Ducati laboratory
1292 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Tel +1 650 933 9800

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Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
All Models
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031
The bulletin contains 3 main attention points:
1. Take care and practice cleanliness during the
operation, and in particular protect the oil
passages inside the crankcase and crankshaft. The
ducts indicated by the yellow arrows, in fact, bring
the oil to the bearings without passing through
the paper filter. The red arrow, instead, indicates
the duct to the water pump.
2. Use only the tools recommended by Ducati.
3. DO NOT USE abrasive materials (such as 3MScotch Brite).

The instruction below describes the steps to follow for cleaning the mating surfaces of the
crankcase to clutch cover, and of the crankcase and water pump, for V4 engines:

Clutch Cover
1. Before cleaning the sealant from contact surfaces, plug the indicated holes with silicone
blocks (1).
In addition, protect the indicated areas with a lint-free cloth (2), preventing any debris or
other items from falling into the engine.

Engine side

Clutch cover side
1292 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Tel +1 650 933 9800

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Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
All Models
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031

2. Remove the sealant beads with a suitable plastic chisel, as shown in the figure.

Engine side

Clutch cover side

3. Use a commercial product (e.g. brake cleaner) for mechanical parts and a cloth to remove
the sealant residues.

1292 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Tel +1 650 933 9800

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Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
All Models
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031

4. For any sealant residues not removed in the first step, use a brush with brass bristles.
WARNING
Do not use a 3M-Scotch Brite type steel wool pad, as that shown in the image
below, because it may leave residues of abrasive particles of alumina and silicates,
not visible to the naked eye.

5. Finally, check with a shop light for any possible presence of residues left by the brush.

1292 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Tel +1 650 933 9800

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Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
All Models
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031

Water Pump
1. Before removing the sealant from the contact surfaces, cover the coolant passage hole
with a silicone block and a cloth below, as shown in the figure.

2. Remove the sealant beads with a suitable plastic chisel, as shown in the figure.

Engine side

Water pump side
1292 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Tel +1 650 933 9800

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Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
All Models
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031

3. Use a commercial product (e.g. brake cleaner) and a cloth to remove the sealant residues;
do not exceed so as not to impair the sealing capacity of the oil seal.

Engine side

Water pump side

WARNING
Any engines replaced under warranty showing contaminant due to a wrong repair
process can be charged back.

For questions about this Service Bulletin,
please contact your Service Area Manager.

1292 Reamwood Ave.
Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Tel +1 650 933 9800

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