Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: drkhorse on March 11, 2013, 02:18:00 PM

Title: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: drkhorse on March 11, 2013, 02:18:00 PM
Hey Guys,

I'm losing my mind on this one. I was removing the gas tank on my 2009 monster 696 so I could access the battery and the rear bolt, the one located under the seat (see photo) simply wont come off. It spins and spins but doesn't come free. I've tried hitting it with some WD-40. I've tried to work it loose by pushing a screw driver under that larger washer and pulling, but its just not moving outward. I seems to me that other side of the bolt is broke on the inside of the gas tank. Does anyone know how I can get the bolt out or what other way I can free the tank so I can access the battery? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

  (http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109049&d=1363028546)
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: ducpainter on March 11, 2013, 02:25:41 PM
The tank has an insert that has come loose and is spinning in the plastic. My understanding is it's a fairly common problem.

The gas tank is a 5 year 50000 mile warranty item. You can either grind the head of the bolt off, or contact your dealer and see if they'll handle it under warranty.
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Speeddog on March 11, 2013, 02:35:35 PM
Some more info here:
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55579.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55579.0)
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: ungeheuer on March 11, 2013, 03:36:01 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on March 11, 2013, 02:25:41 PM
The tank has an insert that has come loose and is spinning in the plastic. My understanding is it's a fairly common problem.
Yes, its an issue raised by US owners before.  What I dont get is why the US market tank has this insert molded into the tank when the Euro-spec bikes (sold in my part of the world) have a more serviceable solution:

US tank..
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5287/5222916435_caff1bd799_b.jpg)

Euro tank..
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5122/5223325522_90527db098_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4106/5223325524_8cc1924539_b.jpg)

Why do they persist with this poor design for the US market??

Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: SpikeC on March 11, 2013, 05:19:44 PM
 Because they think we are idiots?
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Raux on March 11, 2013, 11:37:22 PM
hmmm wonder if I should find a local euro tank just in case.

I've never had issues though. I don't over tq or use locktite on the rear bolt, which likely is the cause of most issues.
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Anchorism on March 12, 2013, 01:06:12 AM
Quote from: Raux on March 11, 2013, 11:37:22 PM
hmmm wonder if I should find a local euro tank just in case.

I've never had issues though. I don't over tq or use locktite on the rear bolt, which likely is the cause of most issues.

Probably be a good idea for me as well (seeing as how ive got two)  ;D
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: drkhorse on March 12, 2013, 09:56:59 AM
Thanks so much for all your help guys, if its cover under a 5 warranty I'm definitely put at easy. I saw that cost of a new tank and I nearly fell over. However I am curious if I too could get the euro tank as a replacement. It's obviously a better design and it'll avoid having this issue again in the future.
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: drkhorse on April 04, 2013, 09:43:48 PM
Hey Guys,

I just wanted to update you all and whoever may come across this post later and find it useful. I took the bike up to the dealership where they told me this is a known issue with the gas tank (apparently one of many) that Ducati does cover under warranty. They service tech put in a claim via email with Ducati. It took them about a week to approve the claim, then an additional 4 days for the tank to come in. They remove and install of the new tank ended up costing me nothing, it was all covered under warranty.

Interesting thing to note, the new tank they gave me as a replacement is a Euro style tank, guess Ducati realized that its a more logical design to have a two headed bolt. Check the pics!

(http://yolostudio.com/ebay/tank_01.jpg)
(http://yolostudio.com/ebay/tank_02.jpg)
(http://yolostudio.com/ebay/tank_03.jpg)
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Raux on April 05, 2013, 12:56:59 AM
can you put the part # up from the new tank
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Curmudgeon on April 05, 2013, 02:27:58 PM
Quote from: Raux on April 05, 2013, 12:56:59 AM
can you put the part # up from the new tank
I'd love to know whether it's a PEX or PA-6 tank too! 8)
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Mau on September 20, 2013, 05:45:25 PM
Hi All, I recently tried to remove the tank of my 1100 EVO and was not able to do so. As with the others on this thread, the issue is that the rear bottom bolt that secures the tank screws into a nut that is held by the plastic tank itself...And on my bike the nut spins loose and the tank will not come out.

I suspect that on a really hot day (like the other day) the plastic becomes softer and thats why this happened....nonetheless, it is pretty obvious that the design is defective.

Conveniently, my bike's two-year warranty expired 4 months ago, and the dealer is telling that most likely it will not be replaced.
I went ahead an emailed Ducati North America asking them to help and honor the request. Still have not heard back from them.

Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated!  [beer]
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Raux on September 20, 2013, 06:01:52 PM
ebay one, they aren't that expensive
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: ungeheuer on September 21, 2013, 02:35:56 AM
Quote from: Mau on September 20, 2013, 05:45:25 PM
Hi All, I recently tried to remove the tank of my 1100 EVO and was not able to do so. As with the others on this thread, the issue is that the rear bottom bolt that secures the tank screws into a nut that is held by the plastic tank itself...And on my bike the nut spins loose and the tank will not come out.

I suspect that on a really hot day (like the other day) the plastic becomes softer and thats why this happened....nonetheless, it is pretty obvious that the design is defective.

Conveniently, my bike's two-year warranty expired 4 months ago, and the dealer is telling that most likely it will not be replaced.
I went ahead an emailed Ducati North America asking them to help and honor the request. Still have not heard back from them.

Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated!  [beer]
IMO it's a defective design.  It's a defective design when its in warranty and its still a defective design once out of warranty.  The fact that the defect wasnt exposed until after their warranty responsibility expired doesnt mean that they shouldnt take care of it.  Sooner or later this failure WILL occur. 

If it wasnt a defective design, they'd replace tanks which failed under warranty with one of the same design.  Yet replacements appear to use the Euro-style design.  To me that's an admission of defect in the original.

Stay on 'em.

And please, let us know how you went.


Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: oldndumb on September 22, 2013, 01:45:01 PM
Although out of warranty, I bet Ducati will replace it. Having said that, as in most instances, having good relations with the dealer helps to grease the warranty claim process. Yes, it is part of the five year emissions control system, and that may make it a slam dunk for you.

Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: Mau on September 23, 2013, 12:40:48 PM
Thank you for the feedback. I agree with you on that it is a defective design. Also I realized that the original post from DRK was referring to a 2009 696 monster and ducati honored the claim earlier this year. I hope to get similar result as my bike is a 2012 model with the same exact issue.
I managed to have the dealership agree on "attempting to file a claim", I will follow up closely with them and keep you posted.
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: DucNJ on July 14, 2014, 09:19:01 AM
Same thing happened to me this past weekend with my 2012 1100 Evo. I've got a brand new Termi kit that I cannot install now. I will be reaching out to my dealer tomorrow.
Title: Re: HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose
Post by: wowmattsays on June 13, 2015, 10:42:30 AM
Hello everyone!  I purchased a 2012 Monster 696 from a guy who basically screwed me out of $10,000. I paid him $6,400, and ended up having to pay another $1700 for updates to make it inspection worthy and NOW its in for the 7,500 mile service and my tank wont come off because of the defective screw.  Shoutout to BATTLEY CYCLES in Gaithersburg MD, their service team always has more than enough time to help me and answer all my questions, and they are going above and beyond to help me with my beloved money pit  ;D  I am waiting on word from Ducati regarding whether they will replace the part in-warranty, and I'll keep interested parties updated.