Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: Wonked on December 17, 2009, 11:48:57 AM

Title: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Wonked on December 17, 2009, 11:48:57 AM
I'm trying to get a sense for how many people AREN'T, in fact, having a problem with an expanding gas tank. I have an '07 695 with no issues yet (knocking on wood). Anyone else lucky?
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Statler on December 17, 2009, 11:56:36 AM
oh...and we need a pick of the tanks from the top looking down on the ignition housing....many people who never lift their tank never realize it's grown.    ;)
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Goat_Herder on December 17, 2009, 11:59:25 AM
Time for a survey?  [popcorn]
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Qfactor on December 17, 2009, 12:16:00 PM
Give it enough time, It'll expand.

Chemical incompatibility.

Took 21K mi for mine to start.

Q
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: CairnsDuc on December 17, 2009, 01:33:53 PM
My 07 S2R 800 is fine (24000k's on the bike now) and I had the tank off recently for it's full service, I checked the tank all over and no expansion so far.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Triple J on December 17, 2009, 01:45:35 PM
Quote from: CairnsDuc on December 17, 2009, 01:33:53 PM
My 07 S2R 800 is fine (24000k's on the bike now) and I had the tank off recently for it's full service, I checked the tank all over and no expansion so far.

Do you guys run ethanol in your fuel?
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Wonked on December 17, 2009, 01:51:04 PM
I presume so, as I live in Atlanta.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: jasaretta on December 17, 2009, 01:55:00 PM
2007 S4Rs - fine (touching wood....... [evil])
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Triple J on December 17, 2009, 01:55:29 PM
Quote from: Wonked on December 17, 2009, 01:51:04 PM
I presume so, as I live in Atlanta.

I meant CairnsDuc...he's in Australia.

I'm sure you do being in the US.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: 1KDS on December 17, 2009, 04:33:24 PM
07 S2R1k no probs

Nebraska
I have the option of 87 no ethanol 89 10% ethanol and 91 no ethanol at most stations.  I get the 91
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: DucNrun on December 17, 2009, 05:08:37 PM
07 S4RS with no problems
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: ducatiz on December 17, 2009, 05:16:14 PM
Quote from: Triple J on December 17, 2009, 01:45:35 PM
Do you guys run ethanol in your fuel?

Australia has no ethanol gas to my knowledge. 

OP and replies should have location included.  I imagine we would see a direct correlation for locations w/ E10 gas and locations without to tank expansion.

Of course, I bet someone in Cupertino has a push-pin map with this info.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: GLantern on December 17, 2009, 05:30:41 PM
My 07 695 had no problems after 3300miles when i sold it.  My 08 1098 has almost 15k miles without any problems if that helps!

This is in NY
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: 748s on December 17, 2009, 05:55:26 PM
In AU there are separate pumps marked E10 (at some petrol companies stations).
The Federal government has legislated to keep ethanol to a maximum of 10% in E10.

From 2010 the Queensland government has legislated that all petrol (gas) sold in QLD must have a minimum of 5% ethanol.
The next couple of years might see tank expansion happening in AU.

One variable is US ethanol is corn based, AU ethanol is sugar cane based.
They may react differently when in plastic tanks.


Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: ducatiz on December 17, 2009, 05:59:29 PM
Quote from: 748s on December 17, 2009, 05:55:26 PM
One variable is US ethanol is corn based, AU ethanol is sugar cane based.
They may react differently when in plastic tanks.

the resultant ethanol is identical, ~IF~ it is the ethanol (which i sincerely believe it is) the source of it doesn't matter. 
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: 748s on December 17, 2009, 06:47:06 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on December 17, 2009, 05:59:29 PM
the resultant ethanol is identical, ~IF~ it is the ethanol (which i sincerely believe it is) the source of it doesn't matter. 

Of course.
It's alcohol no matter what the source.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: numbskull on December 18, 2009, 07:35:14 AM
07 S2R1K here. 12,000 Kms. No tank problems so far...
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Bill in OKC on December 18, 2009, 08:17:34 AM
'07 S4Rs - no problems that I know of.  I'm in OKC and fill up with pure gas whenever possible.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: mdriver on December 18, 2009, 08:46:28 AM
Quote from: Statler on December 17, 2009, 11:56:36 AM
oh...and we need a pick of the tanks from the top looking down on the ignition housing....many people who never lift their tank never realize it's grown.    ;)

Exactly.

Another way to tell is to look at the rubber supports that sit between the bottom of the tank and the frame rail on each side. If the tank has expanded the supports will be hanging off the sides of the frame slightly.

My buddys 07 s4r has 14,000mi, it's on it's 2nd tank and it has expanded. Both of us noticed the tank was sitting funny one night but didn't figure out the tank had expanded until I read about it being an issue here.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: somegirl on December 18, 2009, 09:19:18 AM
Yes, it took me a while to figure it out too.  Eventually the appearance of a small bulge affecting the paint on top was a dead giveaway. :P Then I looked and saw the rubber supports sitting outside the frame and realized why it was getting more and more difficult to engage the clip. [roll]
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: DucRS on December 18, 2009, 10:31:11 AM
2007 S4RS no problems, 10K miles. ;)
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: grunte on December 18, 2009, 11:19:08 AM
I'm not sure how to post pics but my 2008 S2R does not have any tank swelling.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: He Man on December 18, 2009, 11:21:03 AM
even the SBKs have plastic tanks?
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: sally101 on December 18, 2009, 12:09:07 PM
Quote from: 748s on December 17, 2009, 06:47:06 PM
Of course.
It's alcohol no matter what the source.


I bet you I could find some trace amounts of corn byproducts from the production process, but I doubt it would make a diff.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: mattyvas on December 18, 2009, 12:38:29 PM
Almost 19k's and no problems.
And yes down here in Oz ethanol fuel will make a difference.
Here we generally have 3 choices.

e10 with 10% ethanol blend
95 octane
98 octane

Shell did have 100 octane for a short while but I think it was a greater blend of ethanol. 
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: GLantern on December 18, 2009, 01:13:50 PM
Quote from: He Man on December 18, 2009, 11:21:03 AM
even the SBKs have plastic tanks?

Yup it sucks if you ever want a tank bag  [bang]

Looks like they sell Replacement Tanks (http://www.store.commoto.com/ducati-84810981198-aluminum-fuel-tank-p-99573.html) in aluminum. for the SBKs, now straight from Ductai but it is kind of bullshit that it advertises as solving swelling issues etc.  It shouldn't be a$1500 fix.  but like i said no problems on mine.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: ducatiz on December 18, 2009, 05:12:02 PM
Quote from: mattyvas on December 18, 2009, 12:38:29 PM
Almost 19k's and no problems.
And yes down here in Oz ethanol fuel will make a difference.
Here we generally have 3 choices.

e10 with 10% ethanol blend
95 octane
98 octane

Shell did have 100 octane for a short while but I think it was a greater blend of ethanol. 

So you have ethanol+petrol fuel and no ethanol fuel?

i wish they would do that here.  it just blows my mind.

what octane method is that?  RON?  or AKI (RM/2)?
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: LA on December 18, 2009, 06:39:11 PM
Over 30k miles and no problem that I'm aware of.

LA
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: 748s on December 18, 2009, 08:02:14 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on December 18, 2009, 05:12:02 PM
So you have ethanol+petrol fuel and no ethanol fuel?

i wish they would do that here.  it just blows my mind.

what octane method is that?  RON?  or AKI (RM/2)?

It is RON.
Yes, at the moment there is a choice between petrol (gas) with 10% ethanol and petrol (gas) with no ethanol.
Though that could be changing soon.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: ducatiz on December 19, 2009, 04:30:37 AM
Quote from: 748s on December 18, 2009, 08:02:14 PM
It is RON.
Yes, at the moment there is a choice between petrol (gas) with 10% ethanol and petrol (gas) with no ethanol.
Though that could be changing soon.


the economics jus makes no sense.

if ethanol is cheaper there, then charge extra for pure gasoline for ppl that want/need it.

i wish they did that here.  some places sell E10 and don't even have to mark it as such!
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: CairnsDuc on December 19, 2009, 12:04:40 PM
Quote from: Triple J on December 17, 2009, 01:45:35 PM
Do you guys run ethanol in your fuel?

Even though it was answered by another poster, We do have Ethanol mixed fuels, but here in Cairns it is very hard to find, only about 2 or 3 places sell it (and I won't go near the stuff!!) but when the talk of Ethanol first started in Australia the Ducati distributor promptly put out a press release stating in no uncertain terms that Ethanol fuel should never be used in a Ducati, issues may arise with the fuel system and plastic tanks.

So I avoid it and only run BP standard unleaded and have never had an issue.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: ducatiz on December 19, 2009, 12:40:38 PM
Is there any way you could get a copy of that and get it to me?
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: 1KDS on December 20, 2009, 05:31:32 AM
Quote from: ducatiz on December 19, 2009, 12:40:38 PM
Is there any way you could get a copy of that and get it to me?

I would like one also, just in case
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: Bill in OKC on December 21, 2009, 10:47:03 AM
I saw this today:
http://desmotimes.com/blog/ (http://desmotimes.com/blog/)

Has a pic of a Monster tank that has swollen and states that the cause is ethanol... in the update section.
Also mentions other Ducatis affected by the swollen tank problem. Multistrada, Sport Classics.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: CairnsDuc on December 21, 2009, 11:23:56 PM
I never saw the actual press release on the Website, The dealer I bought the bike from at the time showed me the Document he was sent by NFI Australia (Ducati Australia distributor) when the whole Ethanol debate was being thrown around here in Australia.
Sorry guys I never got a copy.
Title: Re: 2007 Monsters WITHOUT tank expansion problem?
Post by: 748s on April 17, 2010, 02:13:58 AM
http://www.mia.org.nz/Ethanol%20suitability%20NZ%20new%20models%20only%20Amendment%204.pdf (http://www.mia.org.nz/Ethanol%20suitability%20NZ%20new%20models%20only%20Amendment%204.pdf)