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Tank Problems - Yes or No

171797 Views 1137 Replies 254 Participants Last post by mopgcw, 7 mo ago

geospencer

Discussion Starter · Nov 24, 2008 (Edited)

Let us know if you are having tank problems.

I voted already. I have not had any tank problems so far. For the record, my Paul Smart does not have many miles on it and it stays in a heated garage. I don't know if that makes any difference.

21 - 40 of 1138 Posts

a63buggy

· #21 · Nov 27, 2008

Two questions anyone know?

Just how many of these bikes are here in the states?

Other thing do the bikes in Europe have this damned emissions canister. For crying out load the same canister that caused vacuum lock on fuel injected SS bikes and caved them in!

BlackSport

· #22 · Nov 27, 2008

I haven't had any problems yet but my bike leads a pretty pampered life. My dealer hasn't heard anything from Ducati about this issue either.
Other Ducs have a plastic tank, do they have some of the same issues?
The gas tank vent makes sense, but again other Ducs have the same thing.

geospencer

Discussion Starter · #23 · Nov 27, 2008

a63buggy said:
Just how many of these bikes are here in the states?

There are supposed to be 200 Paul Smarts in the US. I have no idea how many Sport Classics there are.

a63buggy said:
Other thing do the bikes in Europe have this damned emissions canister. For crying out load the same canister that caused vacuum lock on fuel injected SS bikes and caved them in!

We have quite a few threads about removing the canister. Do a search. My dealer took my canister off before I picked up my bike.

weazoe

· #24 · Nov 27, 2008

Yep,
My tank's spreading very typicaly, (right side).
DNA is blaming ethanol and replacing tank and brackets, and all with 4 days left on the warranty!!!

Weaz

BlackDuck

· #25 · Nov 27, 2008

I've had all the problems, initially the tank was lose in the mounting pucks but a little shimming fixed that problem. Then it developed a number of small pimples on the top of the tank, followed by a bulge that developed in the side.

Tank was replaced a few weeks ago under warranty, no problems so far with the new one just have to wait and see. It was no problem having the dealer replace the tank, he took one look and ordered a new one.

Jono Sport1000

· #26 · Nov 27, 2008

a63buggy said:
Two questions anyone know?

Just how many of these bikes are here in the states?

Other thing do the bikes in Europe have this damned emissions canister. For crying out load the same canister that caused vacuum lock on fuel injected SS bikes and caved them in!

European bikes don't have the emissions canister.

Agent_L

· #27 · Nov 28, 2008

Voted YES. Bike doesn't even have 600 miles under it and the tank is already shifting around about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. I suppose I could file for a new tank but this one is still new in my book. What good would another new tank do for me if I have to replace it again anyway? I want a new "fixed" tank. Guess I'm heading to the hardware store.

YMRacing

· #28 · Nov 28, 2008

If it is the ethanol in the fuel, I wonder if it would help to line one's new tank with a product like Kreem?

http://www.kreemproducts.net/

I have used it when restoring old fuel tanks and it works well to seal up pinholes, cracks and cover rust.

egrafx2006

· #29 · Nov 28, 2008

I believe someone has already mentioned that there is ethanol European gas as well as US gas.

YMRacing

· #30 · Nov 29, 2008

egrafx2006 said:
I believe someone has already mentioned that there is ethanol European gas as well as US gas.

I think you're right, but the %age is less I think. US allows up to 10%, Europe is 5%?

I have also been told that the further away from the batch mixing you are the less ethanol in your fuel.....bleed off...and that those close by may be getting more than 10%..fuel in my area smells like cheap rum sometimes.

geospencer

Discussion Starter · #31 · Nov 29, 2008

YMRacing said:
I have also been told that the further away from the batch mixing you are the less ethanol in your fuel.....bleed off...and that those close by may be getting more than 10%..fuel in my area smells like cheap rum sometimes.

That sounds reasonable.

I have a nephew who drives a fuel tanker. I think I remember him saying that ethanol and additives are mixed into the tank at the filling point.

As an aside, I was at the dealership yesterday getting my annual inspection. I asked the service manager if any Sport Classic thanks had been replaced in his shop. None so far . . . but he's relatively new. (Charlotte, N.C.)

YMRacing

· #32 · Nov 29, 2008

Too much time on my hands thinking about this tank thing, and also wondering if the spreading and paint bubbles might be a result of not only the gasahol, but also the actual shape of the SC's tank vs the Monster, etc.:think:

luther_r

· #33 · Dec 1, 2008

2006 S1K Mono, tank was tight when purchased new in September 2007, noticed in spring 2008 it was loose, continued to loosen.

In July 2008 I shimmed the brackets and it has been tight since, but only was ridden for a couple months after the shimming.

brooksie

· #34 · Dec 2, 2008 (Edited)

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/results.cfm 2007 = 11 complaints filed.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/results.cfm 2006 = 12 complaints filed.

That equals a whopping 23 complaints I can find at NTSB. Out of 57 votes with tank problems. Come on, hit the link and file. Nobody is gonna come and get you. Maybe you don't mind spending $1600.00 on a fuel tank that keeps doing the same thing? At this point, over 60% are messed up.
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jan/080109b.htm
http://www.desmonorthwest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6161
OK, it is hard to get hard numbers on total sales by model, but this is a lot of bikes. Let's get some real numbers together and get this fixed.

AZ_Scott

· #35 · Dec 2, 2008

Yeah, my wife's and my bikes are both having the issue. I'll just fix them myself and be done with it. I don't think the NHTSA site is going to do any good if we don't go through the warranty process first, and I'm just not going to go through that with my dealer...

brooksie

· #36 · Dec 2, 2008

AZ_Scott said:
Yeah, my wife's and my bikes are both having the issue. I'll just fix them myself and be done with it. I don't think the NHTSA site is going to do any good if we don't go through the warranty process first, and I'm just not going to go through that with my dealer...

The problem is after a while you won't be able to fix it, you'll be out of warranty and the replacement tanks do the same thing. Have the dealer tell you they won't/can't fix it. We gotta try, eh?

egrafx2006

· #37 · Dec 2, 2008

I would definitely contact your dealer and see what they say. It doesn’t take long to replace a tank but it cost $1900 (according to my dealer). The fix is only temporary in my opinion and eventually your bars may even hit the tank. Contacting NHTSA can't hurt plus it may help push Ducati to come up with a permanent fix if they aren't already working on it.

AZ_Scott said:
Yeah, my wife's and my bikes are both having the issue. I'll just fix them myself and be done with it. I don't think the NHTSA site is going to do any good if we don't go through the warranty process first, and I'm just not going to go through that with my dealer...

Youkai

· #38 · Dec 3, 2008 (Edited)

Just celebrated my SC1000's 2nd birthday (and the end of the warranty) with the installation of tank #3. When #1 started to spread, I made spacers to go between the frame and the front brackets but it kept spreading and also pushed a little forward out of the brackets. Dealer has many SCs waiting for tanks so evidently there has been no running production change to the design. Part # hasn't changed, either. I've been told that if it wasn't for the warranty, I would have been out upwards of $1,600 (times 2).
So, where to now? I really like the bike and while I think the spacers are better than having the tank supported by the air box or frame (or having the controls go through the side of the tank), you are only chasing the spread. I'm keeping a close eye on #3 and I've got a couple of ideas on how to help the tank with its memory. If you google "Bulge in Sport Classic Gas Tank" you will find the story of tank #1 with pictures..

Voted and complaint filed. Also like the angle that the tank is part of the emission system in California - can't seem to find the other part, though.

Am I the only one that thought AZ_Scott was having the same problem with his wife? And he was going to fix it himself??
Ken
06 Sport Classic with Zard slip-ons, Cycle Cat adjustable bars, Whistler Cruisader, 15mm preload in the forks, "comfort seat", and my own fender elimination with Lite'N Boltz for the plate.

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geospencer

Discussion Starter · #39 · Dec 3, 2008

I wonder if this could be a regional or state thing? My dealer (and good friend so he's not going to BS me) has never heard of tanks spreading. As far as he knows it is not a problem in North or South Carolina. (He sells a lot of bikes to people in both states.) In other words, could our fuel be different?

A different formulation for S.C. and N.C.?

Fewer additives?

Less ethanol?

AZ_Scott

· #40 · Dec 3, 2008

brooksie said:
The problem is after a while you won't be able to fix it, you'll be out of warranty and the replacement tanks do the same thing. Have the dealer tell you they won't/can't fix it. We gotta try, eh?

Our bikes are already out of warranty.

As for our dealer... Well, that's a whole other story I won't get into...

21 - 40 of 1138 Posts

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