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

[ducatiz]

I believe thats the one. I learned about the coating on this blog.

http://ducsp1000.blogspot.com/2011/03/tank-3-with-coating.html

ScotchKote is the product name but there are four kinds of it on the 3M website.  Any epoxy is probably going to be ok, but I'd like to hear that from 3M...

[Mojo S2R]

Took four weeks from photos/claim submittal to approval, then two more weeks for the tank to arrive.  Just need to make an appointment to have the new tank installed.  Very happy with the speedy professional service I receive from Good Times.

[hillbillypolack]

I had a brief conversation with a rep from DNA this afternoon.  It was brought about since I'd had enough of the gas tank dilemma and emailed them to find out if they'd gotten my previous email from four months ago.

What my concern was (is) that there are three main issues I've not been comfortable with.  1) that Ducati never issued any 'heads-up' on what I feel is a potentially serious fuel related issue.  2) that my replacement tank looks like it was painted with a rattle can and 'hand finished' with a broom  3) that the issue is open-ended and can linger on for years, more deformed tanks or problems down the road. 

Two other factors making this more frustrating are that I own other bikes which don't require putzing around with major systems or hoping for a fix on a commodity part like a gas tank.  And that I shouldn't have to pay for stabilizing (lining) a tank.  That should have been done at the OEM, making the tank 'ethanol-neutral'.

The DNA rep basically agreed with all points above (maybe he was just patient or humoring me), also indicating that Ducati's position is that they are replacing tanks with the same material as what came on your original bikes.  Even he indicated that it may or may not deform again in the future, and Ducati is continuing to replace affected tanks into the forseeable future.

The paint finish issues are more subjective and while he agreed, the company replaces the part for functional reasons.  Not always aesthetic reasons.

I also asked why the owners weren't informed directly via email or other means.  He explained that Ducati issues recall or notifications if the government deems it necessary.  Which I understand.  But I have also received notifications of simple things on my other bikes when some small detail may fail.  I just think it's a goodwill gesture.  I see why I didn't get a notification, though I don't agree with it.

We also spoke about the 'necessary accessory' part of buying / owning a Ducati which is the cost of un-choking the exhausts, re-gearing etc which add quite a lot to the overall cost of ownership.  To be honest, I know owning a Duc isn't 'cheap' but I felt I had to make a comparison to other marques.

So, in a nutshell, no news.  Doesn't look like any news for any forseeable future either.  Keep your tank un-lined if you want it replaced after it deforms again I guess.  The saga continues.

[Desert Dust]

^^^^^^
What this shoes me is that replacing tanks is relatively cheap for Ducati when compared to the cost of a class action suit for refusing to replace them beyond warranty. I realize there is a class action filed against Ducati for the tank issue, but what are the damages owners can claim when Ducati is already agreeing to replace the tanks? The cost of a trip to the shop? For MOST owners, that is the extent of the damages they can claim.

[ducatiz]

^^^^^^
What this shoes me is that replacing tanks is relatively cheap for Ducati when compared to the cost of a class action suit for refusing to replace them beyond warranty. I realize there is a class action filed against Ducati for the tank issue, but what are the damages owners can claim when Ducati is already agreeing to replace the tanks? The cost of a trip to the shop? For MOST owners, that is the extent of the damages they can claim.

You're pretty much on the money, except for the few tanks that have leaked from the deformation. 

[DRKWNG]

AND, why should anyone honestly feel entitled to anything other than a properly functioning tank? It's not like anything warranting the award of "damages" has occured if your tank hasn't leaked fuel.

[extra330]

Well my orginal tank had swollen to the point where the controls on the bars would hit the tank at full lock. I think I may have pinched my finger once or twice.. I could've lost a finger.. That's gotta be worth something right??

[ducatiz]

Yes.  A new finger.



 

[Bishamon]

Two other factors making this more frustrating are that I own other bikes which don't require putzing around with major systems or hoping for a fix on a commodity part like a gas tank. 

There are a lot of other brands with issues as well (Triumph, Aprilia, KTM, and even Harley Davidson, to name a few).  Not to mention many cars that are having issues with their fuel systems (pumps disintegrating, for instance, and not always covered under warranty), and the marine industry is having a ton of issues, all due to ethanol.

Not that this excuses Ducati, but the matter isn't as simple as switching back to steel tanks (which corrode due to the water that's absorbed by ethanol), fibreglass tanks (which dissolve), or even aluminum tanks (which can corrode with ethanol, though E10 should be safe).  Hopefully the motorcycle industry will adopt a standard ethanol-proof coating. Caswell seems promising, so far, with only a couple of cases I have heard of where the coating starting coming off inside the tank, which may be due to being improperly applied.

[El-Twin]

 

[hillbillypolack]

There are a lot of other brands with issues as well (Triumph, Aprilia, KTM, and even Harley Davidson, to name a few).  Not to mention many cars that are having issues with their fuel systems (pumps disintegrating, for instance, and not always covered under warranty), and the marine industry is having a ton of issues, all due to ethanol.

Not that this excuses Ducati, but the matter isn't as simple as switching back to steel tanks (which corrode due to the water that's absorbed by ethanol), fibreglass tanks (which dissolve), or even aluminum tanks (which can corrode with ethanol, though E10 should be safe).  Hopefully the motorcycle industry will adopt a standard ethanol-proof coating. Caswell seems promising, so far, with only a couple of cases I have heard of where the coating starting coming off inside the tank, which may be due to being improperly applied.

Just for a baseline comparison, I own two BMWs.  A 2007 and a 2008.  Not any issue with either.

My S2R is a 2008.

Guess which bikes I'm out RIDING?

Also, I work in the automotive industry (R&D).  If this situation was handled this poorly by an automaker, it would be headlines on CNN and MSNBC believe me, even if the safety issue could be overblown.  We certainly don't need drama for drama's sake but there is a double standard between vehicle types and notifications.  Remember the Toyota incident last year?

[DRKWNG]

There are a lot of other brands with issues as well (Triumph, Aprilia, KTM, and even Harley Davidson, to name a few).  

It's off topic, but I'd like to hear which Triumphs you know of that have issues, especially if they are fueling related.  Mine was bulletproof when I had it.  Kind of ironic that I sold it to get a finicky KTM.   

[Dave328]

Ducati will keep replacing tanks into the forseeable future....that is until Acerbis is forced into bankruptcy by this. If I'm not mistaken, they supply the tanks for Triumph, Aprillia, and KTM, as well. 

[DRKWNG]

Quite a few of the current Triumphs still have steel tanks.

[Bishamon]

It's off topic, but I'd like to hear which Triumphs you know of that have issues, especially if they are fueling related.  Mine was bulletproof when I had it.  Kind of ironic that I sold it to get a finicky KTM.   

There was a MASSIVE thread on a Triumph site where Sprint owners were having their tanks deform and even split/crack.  Apparently, the 995i and Speed Triple is also affected.  Here is a site with a list:

http://deformedfueltanks.com/

Interestingly enough, the KTM Super Duke is on there.