Plastic Tank problems: Discussion thread, see info thread sticky for updates

[junior varsity]

Hint: You bought a Ducati, not an Acerbis.

could still be argued they'd be liable under products liability for defects but as mentioned above - nobody is dead and the other side is arguing they aren't defective.

[SSCR]

I am going to ping my dealer tomorrow about getting the new tank.  I am the second owner of the bike but still... She is starting to warp now.  Their excuse was that because of my bike's color, it would be hard to replace.  I am sure someone here on the board could match the factory specs and paint it for me.  I just want a tank that stands the test of time because as I've said, I have no intention on selling that bike. I will get another one but I am not selling her.

My dealer told me the same thing that my tank was a "rare" color (black with orange strip) and that it would be very difficult to replace it. Starting to sound like the same BS.... I'm willing to take a new tank and let Ducati off the hook. I will than use only ethanol free fuel or have the tank coated.

[TitanMonsterS4R]

My dealer told me the same thing that my tank was a "rare" color (black with orange strip) and that it would be very difficult to replace it. Starting to sound like the same BS.... I'm willing to take a new tank and let Ducati off the hook. I will than use only ethanol free fuel or have the tank coated.

BS.  Recently got an acid yellow and black tank replaced. I imagine those are about as hard to find as the black and tang. 

[ducatiz]

BS.  Recently got an acid yellow and black tank replaced. I imagine those are about as hard to find as the black and tang. 

The "most" rare.  One year and limited make.

[TitanMonsterS4R]

The "most" rare.  One year and limited make.

I stand corrected.    Is the black and tang really hard to find?

[ducatiz]

I stand corrected.    Is the black and tang really hard to find?

I meant the acid yellow model.  only made in 05

[SSCR]

I stand corrected.    Is the black and tang really hard to find?

Man, if you got your tank replaced WTF??? I need to call my dealership again and demand a new tank!

[J.P.]

Tank #2 lasted exactly 1 year. Now I gotta head back to the dealer.
Interesting the coatings failed the tests by Acerbis, have they recommended any solution?

[ducatiz]

Tank #2 lasted exactly 1 year. Now I gotta head back to the dealer.
Interesting the coatings failed the tests by Acerbis, have they recommended any solution?

Acerbis tested one tank and one coating.  There is no way to know if they applied the coating correctly, or what.

Experience has shown that the coating needs to be thinned to get complete coverage and that it is likely wise to do a second coat once the first has set up.

Also, they tested using a solution of 100% ethanol which may invalidate the test.  There was no report on the ambient humidity, how the solution was prepared or why they chose 100% ethanol.

[junior varsity]

i think what they successfully proved was that the tanks do fail when exposed to ethanol.  thanks for proving our point, acerbis. 

[ducatiz]

i think what they successfully proved was that the tanks do fail when exposed to ethanol.  thanks for proving our point, acerbis. 

no, the test was supposed to be to test Caswell's coating. 

In the photos they are pointing to spots where the coating "delaminated" from the tank, but it looks more like they are pointing at the artifact bubbles that occur in the surface of the PA6 during molding rather than actual delamination.  It isn't coming off in sheets, it just looks like a spot where it is not in contact with the surface.  I do not feel based on what I've seen so far that it's a valid test.

They also had a sectioned tank with one of the 3m coatings which had in fact delaminated, but there was no info as to how the tank was prepped or if it was new tank or who did the coating.  In fact, it looks like it was a used tank that was not dried and cleaned properly -- the coating is coming off in sheets.  just like as if there are sections where something (i.e. gasoline residue) was present.

Caswell (and other) coating makers have demonstrated to me that their coatings are ethanol proof up to 90% concentration, so I don't see the point in using a 100% solution when that will never, ever occur.  I can understand using a "contaminated" amount of up to 20-25% or even 85% as a test of E85, but using 100% invalidated the test.

More importantly, the test doesn't specify anything about the testing conditions or how the tank was prepared.  Tank prep is probably the most important issue.

[jgrm1]

When does the judge rule on the settlement?

-Jeff

[junior varsity]

I mean to say, by testing at all, they concede there is an issue with the design. I don't test a solution for a non-existent problem.

[ducatiz]

Ducati Class Action Update

We are pleased to announce that the Court has fully approved the Ducati settlement.  The effective date for the settlement is February 14, 2012.  That means the earliest that Ducati is obligated to perform under the settlement is February 14, 2012.

Under the settlement, Ducati will provide repairs for fuel tank expansion problems under an extended warranty.  The extended warranty for expansion problems that are not purely cosmetic will cover repairs for the longer of 6 years from the original sale date or until 18 months after the settlement’s effective date, whichever provides longer coverage for a particular motorcycle.  The extended warranty for purely cosmetic expansion problems will cover repairs for the longer of 5 years from the original sale date or until 18 months after the effective date.

To receive repairs under the settlement, you must take your motorcycle to an authorized Ducati dealer.

Complete information about the settlement, including links to the settlement agreement and the Court’s order approving it, can be found at www.GirardGibbs.com/ducati.asp. 

[junior varsity]

That maketh me a grumpygus.