Fuel tank expansion class action lawsuit issue - Ducati Monster Forums: Ducati Monster Motorcycle Forum

mktgman711 · 01-06-2012, 01:58 PM

2006 s2r 1000. So I just had my tank replaced by the dealership as
part of an extended warranty with ducati. This due to a class action lawsuit pertaining to
the expansion of the tank because of usa ethanol content in fuel and some safety
issues.

They replaced the tank and i asked them if they have changed the formula for the
tank. The dealership said no. So i can assume the new tank will do the same thing so why go to all the trouble to have it replaced? Apparently once the tank is replaced, Ducati has fulfilled its obligation to replace the tank and its your problem from now on.

Has anybody heard anything otherwise?

Just an Fyi, once the tank is dry it will shrink back to its original form with
no warping. (I have a spare tank)

MDO · 01-07-2012, 09:47 AM

Have heard of owners getting their tank replaced multiple times on warranty, but that was prior to the settlement so not sure if it's going to continue. Mine was replaced last year and the new one is now just as bad as the original. Cant unbuckle the front fastener and there are blemishes coming through. I'm going to investigate replacement under warranty again. I'm original owner of '06 S2R.

Curious how long it took for your spare tank to regain its shape? days? weeks? months?

SDRider · 01-07-2012, 10:33 AM

I would recommend you coat the inside with the Caswell sealer. A friend of mine did this with his GT1000 tank and he's had no issues with it since. Took a month of drying to get it to shrink back to its original size/shape.

JTP · 01-07-2012, 10:10 PM

yeah i think with the settlement, they'll only replace your tank once... definitely a good idea to coat the tank, a lot of people aren't gonna be happy with the settlement =/

caferacermike · 01-07-2012, 10:26 PM

I had my dealer coat with Caswell and my new tank has all kinds of deformations forming. I'm PO'd since my original tank had just swollen a bit and did not have any bubbles. My new tank has 2 bubbles starting to emerge, each about the size of a marble, at the front seam.

MDO · 01-07-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caferacermike

I had my dealer coat with Caswell and my new tank has all kinds of deformations forming. I'm PO'd since my original tank had just swollen a bit and did not have any bubbles. My new tank has 2 bubbles starting to emerge, each about the size of a marble, at the front seam.

I'm getting similar bubbles, visible in the right light, but mainly the fact that the front latch can't open is what's got me torque'd off. Was not confident in the "coating" fix either. Not a chemist, but seems like anything epoxy-like applied to a fuel tank made from composite material would have to bond quite well, particularly since it's going to be soaking in fuel. Aluminum would be nice . . .

mktgman711 · 01-08-2012, 10:44 AM

My spare tank took about 2 months to shrink back. It was warped but had no bubbling, so the warping was effectively eliminated after drying out. The only good thing is that the paint seems to stretch along with the tank. It's a lame issue since everyone can basically expect this to happen. I understand it's the ethanol so I've heard of some guys using ethanol free fuel. I don't even know where one can acquire? I've also heard that minimizing fuel in the tank helps too. Store almost empty and fuel up when riding. Another lame solution. I think we are all SOL since Ducati will likely wash their hands of this issue. Im not sure what Ducati would do under a catastrophic circumstance like a crack?

MDO · 01-09-2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mktgman711

My spare tank took about 2 months to shrink back. It was warped but had no bubbling, so the warping was effectively eliminated after drying out. The only good thing is that the paint seems to stretch along with the tank. It's a lame issue since everyone can basically expect this to happen. I understand it's the ethanol so I've heard of some guys using ethanol free fuel. I don't even know where one can acquire? I've also heard that minimizing fuel in the tank helps too. Store almost empty and fuel up when riding. Another lame solution. I think we are all SOL since Ducati will likely wash their hands of this issue. Im not sure what Ducati would do under a catastrophic circumstance like a crack?

I've heard the ethanol story too, but don't know how to confirm that. Maybe it's just the wrong type of composite for a fuel tank, period?

I been practicing the "don't fill it until you gotta ride it" approach since my tank was replaced, and it hasn't helped as far as I can tell. My new tank is at least as bad as the orginal was when replaced, and it's only a year old. I'll post the outcome of my inquiry into a second replacement. But as we all know, it's just a short term solution and our tanks are going to distort no matter what.

Too bad I really like this bike, or I'd have sold it long ago . . .

thehun · 01-10-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mktgman711

I understand it's the ethanol so I've heard of some guys using ethanol free fuel. I don't even know where one can acquire?

http://pure-gas.org/

jerryz · 01-13-2012, 06:54 AM

Its the water in the ethanol and the type of plastic being used PA6 which absorbs water thats the problem , only real answer is a metal tank , Triumph had the same problems and now only make bikes with steel tanks ,

other manufactures have same issue KTM, BMW HD,Moto Guzzi,Apprillia but Ducati is the worst affected .