Register | FAQ | Members List | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search | Contact |
|
Registered
Members: 666 | Total Threads: 50,911 | Total Posts: 519,180 Currently Active Users: 1,159 (0 active members) Please welcome our newest member, iamwatty68 |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
05-10-2016, 07:31 PM | #1 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
S4rs expanding petrol tank
Has anyone any experience of this. Bought my S4rs new in 2008 and the tank has been slowly expanding since then,. I know its ethanol problems and poor quality of tank and has been talked about on forums particularly in USA. I should have acted on this when it first started years previously but its now got so bad I cant lock the tank down as strap now fowls the ignition pod . Has anybody had experience of this and can you tell me what you experiences were with Ducati re getting a replacement . No doubt I have left it to late now but any advice welcome
|
05-10-2016, 08:01 PM | #2 |
Transmaniacon MOC
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sutton In Ashfield
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 6,085
|
According to a few who have posted on here with the same problem, if you dry the tank out it will shrink back to normal size.I'm not sure if the paint will be ok.
You can pull the tank a bit further back at the hinges. I don't think you'll have much luck with Ducati as I think they only replaced tanks in the US to avoid expensive legal action. I think for everywhere else they just supplied modified hinges that allow the tank to be pulled back some more.
__________________
Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage |
05-10-2016, 08:52 PM | #3 |
Imagineer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Kilbride
Bike: S2r
Posts: 1,002
|
This has been an issue for a few owners, including me. Both my bikes are affected, the s2r has only a slight issue where the latch is problematic to engage properly but my sc was trapping my thumbs when the bars were turned which, as my mot tester pointed out, is an mot fail.
Last September I removed the sc tank and hung it dry over winter, it did go back a bit but not to its original size. Unfortunately Ducati uk don't give a f@ck about this so don't expect any help from them and is a pretty damn strong reason for me not to buy another bike from them. Both my bikes were bought new from official dealers, Ducati have got the money and have washed their hands of it, along with my future custom. I'll continue to use and enjoy both bikes but it does leave a sour taste as far as customer care goes.
__________________
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man" -Elbert Hubbard |
05-10-2016, 10:59 PM | #4 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Best you can do is let it dry out and then get the inside coated. BP Super Unleaded and Esso Super has 0 ethanol in it I think. I had similar with my MV, but MV warrantied me a new tank.
|
06-10-2016, 12:30 AM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Leeds, West-Yorks
Bike: S4Rs
Posts: 497
|
I have to lever mine at the front and force it down to get it to hook under the latch.
I ended up ordering an ally tank from Beater in japan. (Not painted or fitted yet). |
06-10-2016, 10:50 AM | #6 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
I had this problem with my S4RS - I took it to a dealership and asked them to send photos to Ducati.
They offered to replace my tank on the provision that my bike had a FULL service history undertaken my authorised Ducati dealerships only... luckily it did so I got a new tank. |
12-10-2016, 06:55 PM | #7 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
ok many thanks for your advice will try to dry out tank .
|
12-10-2016, 07:35 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Beachtown
Bike: M900
Posts: 2,188
|
When I first bought my race bike it had a composite tank fitted and despite it being coated with some type of sealant on the inside it still suffered bubbling and expansion.
At the time I didn't even think to drain the tank between races and since then I have had an ally one made so the problem has gone away for me there but the composite one didn't regain it's former shape after draining and leaving it and I don't really see how the plastic ones fitted to many newer bikes would either. I honestly cannot believe the manufactures are letting this go with the fuel companies or that it wasn't researched more thoroughly in order to have prevented this as it is only set to get worse as the percentage of Ethanol in fuels is set to increase over the coming years. In addition to this there is also the problem of it affecting the mixture of carburated engines which I presume the ECU of fuel injected motors can compensate for at least. If it were me (and especially if I had bought the bike brand new like you) I would be pestering Ducati constantly in the hope that they eventually get fed up and give you a new tank to shut you up- a full service history etc. is a load of boll*cks excuse not to help although of course long term even if they did replace the tank it will likely happen again unless Ethanol is no longer added to fuels.
__________________
You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you! |
07-10-2020, 12:55 PM | #9 | |
preneolithic frebie
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cambridge
Bike: S4Rs
Posts: 327
|
Quote:
Kimbo |
|
07-10-2020, 03:08 PM | #10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Leeds, West-Yorks
Bike: S4Rs
Posts: 497
|
Quote:
The ally tank is still in it’s box. A combination of just seeing how long original tank will last and finding a self etching clear which i have the confidence to do it’s job over the bare metal. |
|
07-10-2020, 03:40 PM | #11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Southampton
Bike: M1100evo
Posts: 2,465
|
Quote:
There is currently no E10 fuel available in the UK as it is not due to be introduced until 2021. According to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), there will be a nationwide publicity campaign six months before the launch of E10, so keep an eye out for that and pay attention to the pump labels once E10 becomes available. Again, according to the PRA, 'protection grade' E5 will continue to be made available for at least five years after the introduction of E10. My hope is that, while E5 remains on the menu, Esso will continue to offer it as ethanol-free. |
|
13-10-2016, 07:03 PM | #12 |
Old Git
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Cricklade
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 2,871
|
I USA Ducati were taken to court and agreed to change tanks for 6 years , some people have had 4 replacements that all warped , after 6 year they are all buggered there will be a lot of scrap bikes , Ducati dont care ,, but of course all recent new Ducatis have metal tanks again,,
__________________
MONSTERMAN |
13-10-2016, 09:22 PM | #13 |
Bronze Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chippenham
Bike: S2r
Posts: 220
|
I dry mine out over winter with the pump and the cap removed. It shrinks back a bit. It would be a good idea to get the later pump flange rubber o ring fitted too. I made a new tank bracket which allowed me to slide the tank back a few mm. My bike lives in the kitchen over winter so nice and warm.
Be careful when removing the quick release fuel connectors, don't break the plastic springy bits on them. I don't think there is any pump petrol out there without 5% ethanol in it, whether its V max ... turbo nutter or Esso god knows what. Last edited by Gerry; 13-10-2016 at 09:27 PM.. |
13-10-2016, 09:50 PM | #14 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Same issue on my RSVR and Aprilia dont care either.
Use Esso Super or BP Premium as it is currently 0% Ethanol around here. Drying tank out over winter helps but only a touch over leaving it nearly empty with good fuel in it. Additives hardly help and it also an issue as the Ethanol causes water to separate out. The ethanol can also rot some plastics and rubbers in carbs - an issue if you have classic cars and bikes. |
13-10-2016, 10:46 PM | #15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Beachtown
Bike: M900
Posts: 2,188
|
Quote:
Amal have also started using Viton tipped float needles and O-rings in their refurb kits to help combat the effects.
__________________
You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you! |
|
|
|