Ducati Monster Forum

I just put a brand new gas tank on my 2001 Monster 900sie and after everything was completed I fired up the bike and it ran great, I took it for a spin around the block and parked it. The next day I went to start it and I thought the injector sounded kinda weird but I tried to start it anyways and couldn't get it going. I took off the fuel cap and noticed that there is what appears to be a leak in the fuel line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBZGna3bDY0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBZGna3bDY0)

Has anybody ever experienced something like this. I can't tell if I have just run the injector too many times and the pressure has built up or the hose has a leak. After inspection I didn't notice anything that looked like a puncture in the hose itself.

Thanks

Okay... first thing is terminology.

The silver thing in your video is the fuel filter. The thing that makes the whirring noise and makes the fuel go round is the fuel pump. The injectors are not in the tank, there are two and they are in the throttle bodies.

The way the fuel system works is the pump moves fuel through the filter, out to the injectors and back to the tank. Pressure is set by a thing called a fuel pressure regulator that I think is near the throttle bodies on your bike (the principle design is the same for almost all of the fuel-injected Ducatis, even the old Pasos but the location and physical dimensions vary a little between years and models).

The pump can put out ~70 or so PSI, but the fuel pressure regulator bleeds off pressure to keep it at ~43.5 PSI.

The return line includes a pipe that dumps the fuel relatively far away from the fuel pump pickup in the steel tanks that I have seen (not counting the flanged bikes, but yours isn't one of those).

I would reach my hand in there and attempt to find the pinpoint spot where the fuel is coming out. If you don't mind a little loss of feel and added "safety" you can wear a nitrile glove to keep the gasoline off your skin. It's hard to tell what's going on without more info.

Did you transfer the pump/filter/hoses/etc. from the old tank to the new, or did you have a shop do it? I ask because you have the annoying "one-time" hose clamp on your fuel filter... It is possible one of the other hoses in the system is not adequately attached.

What happens when you try to start it?

BTW, introducing yourself to the other folks that are actually friendly might help http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=14.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=14.0)

Thanks Dirty Duc,

Sorry for the bad terminology, I am definitely not an expert. It seems like there is fuel leaking from the hose right before it gets to the fuel filter.

I did transfer the pump/filter/hoses etc. from the old tank and reused the clamps. I did not realize that they were only meant for a single use, thats good to know.

When I try to start the bike, it turns over like normal but does not start, here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_xvDei_Bb0&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_xvDei_Bb0&feature=youtu.be)

Thank you for your advice. I have now posted in the introduction section and really look forward to meeting everyone.

- Zack

No worries... spend enough time around a Duc, and you'll at least be an expert on that one. :D

Your battery sounds maybe a little weak, do you have a charger?

You can replace the fancy clamps (they require some special tool I don't have) with regular fuel injection clamps and be ahead of the game. I don't think the clamps Ducati likes will hold up to the pressure if you re-use them... it shouldn't be too much at the auto parts store.

Welcome to the forum! [thumbsup]

The battery was charging for about a half hour before I tried starting it, so I don't think thats the issue. The strange thing is that after I installed the new tank the bike started up just fine but then the next day I went to start it and that's where I'm at.

Do you know of a good way to drain the gas tank without making too much of a mess? I will definitely change out the clamps but stupidly I filled the tank full when I took it out for a test drive.

Thanks

You might also consider replacing the fuel line while you're at it.

You must use submersible line. Available at NAPA part# H209

https://www.amazon.com/Oetiker-18500060-Stepless-stainless-standard/dp/B008L4874S (https://www.amazon.com/Oetiker-18500060-Stepless-stainless-standard/dp/B008L4874S)

You can get a kit with the tool and assorted clamps.  I had to get the tools and 2 different size clamps for parachute rigging.  Needed up using them on the S4R to replace a feel line that had been resting against the exhaust.  They are more difficult to work with (remove and install), but are much cleaner than standard hose clamps.

Derek V

Or you can get this type, no special tools required.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vpe-12210?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-vibrant-performance&gclid=CKWzluTv0s0CFcdehgodgQoGkw (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vpe-12210?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-vibrant-performance&gclid=CKWzluTv0s0CFcdehgodgQoGkw)

Clamp, removal and installation tool shown for scale.

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7396/28025812885_91a2fec6bf_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JGxBLr)

(http://i.imgur.com/pago3Eb.jpg)

Looks like I found the problem. The hose had come off of the fuel pump because I was using the incorrect size clamp. I got some new clamps and tightened it down, and now the bike is running again. I also replaced the fuel line while I was at it.

Thanks everyone for your help.

You used the NAPA fuel line that ducpainter noted?