Expanding fuel tank? - Ducati.ms

dansz24 · Sep 3rd, 2011, 3:58 pm

I just hit the 5000mile mark and I just noticed today that one of the tank fairing mounts are cracked. It looks as if my fuel tank is suffering from expansion.

Has anyone else here had this problem and if so what ended up being the fault?

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Motorcycle App

**thelumox** · Sep 3rd, 2011, 4:26 pm

i noticed the left side panel on my fuel tank has a very slightly larger gap than the right side.

nothing has cracked and i loosened all the fasteners a bit to avoid what has happened to yours. for all we know it could be the panels shrinking instead of the tank swelling

i'm definately keeping an eye on it now!

DuckMan · Sep 3rd, 2011, 4:47 pm

I swear, I hate plastic fuel tanks almost as much as school buses!

Aurelius · Sep 3rd, 2011, 4:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckMan

I swear, I hate plastic fuel tanks almost as much as school buses!

**Chuckracer** · Sep 3rd, 2011, 5:16 pm

Yep...my next bike is gonna have a steel tank.

OP, search the forum for more information than you really wanted to know about expanding tanks.

bmwstrider · Sep 3rd, 2011, 6:12 pm

Mine is at dealer waiting on new panels (they had a tank) but like me, they could not get the panels off so must of destroyed them in the process. Spinning nuts, but I have had the panels off at least twice before the nuts started spinning.

From the looks of the panels where the bolts made marks, they had shifted like the panel shrunk or the tank expanded. Just my thoughts no facts other than I wait for parts for my bike.

The Super Tenere has a steel tank.

LaRossa · Sep 3rd, 2011, 7:42 pm

The tanks are made with the same material as the ones on the 1098, 848, SF, and such by Acerbis and they all have the swelling problem, it's the Ethanol in the fuel, get the tank coated and you won't have that problem.

mduc · Sep 3rd, 2011, 7:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRossa

The tanks are made with the same material as the ones on the 1098, 848, SF, and such by Acerbis and they all have the swelling problem, it's the Ethanol in the fuel, get the tank coated and you won't have that problem.

I have owned a 1098, a 848, and currently have a SF. I put StarTron in my tanks as a treatment for ethanol fuel. I have NEVER had a tank problem period.

LaRossa · Sep 3rd, 2011, 8:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mduc

I have owned a 1098, a 848, and currently have a SF. I put StarTron in my tanks as a treatment for ethanol fuel. I have NEVER had a tank problem period.

I'm just as lucky as you are but you should check the other sites to understand what I'm talking about, some people are on the 2nd and 3rd tank!
It's just a matter of time, some go faster than others. I used Stabil marine fuel stabilizer made just for ethanol but some people had the tank swelling even though the used that. I like preventive maintenance, fix it before it breaks, I'd rather coat the tank and be done with it!

dansz24 · Sep 3rd, 2011, 9:02 pm

I just don’t feel that is my job to seal a fuel tank on a motorcycle that is still under warranty. This is something that should have been addressed at the manufacture’s level.