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

[ducatiz]

My dealer said that Ducati would not replace a swollen tank if it had been coated. True?

Of the several dozen tank replacements I've seen, none, repeat, none have involved an inspection of the tank's interior.

[junior varsity]

indeed, they will not check and see (in all likelihood)

[thought]

the settlement covers damaged Ducati branded parts

perfect, i'll let the dealer know about the settlement details.  thanks!

[thought]

i was thinking about this... instead of offering a caswell treatment they cant offer because of homologation, could they offer a $250-$350 (depending on the size of the tank, i know the dealer i used charges more for a mts tank vs a sf tank) one time credit that must be spent at the dealer doing the replacement upon the first replacement of a tank?  at that point the owner could decide to do what they wanted with it, but most likely would have a "free" caswell done at the same time?  and just make sure that all the dealers know about the caswell coating beforehand.

a extended warranty + a free roundabout caswell coating would see me pretty ok as a realistic solution.

[hillbillypolack]

That could work.

I was thinking of something in the opposite direction.

If Ducati offered a DP tank in a more stable material. . . or offered a metal tank which might cost us (the affected owners) a nominal amount to cover their investment in tooling, testing etc.  It could be a better solution than coating a PE tank and might be considered better than the OE tank.

On a similar note, why was the Aus formulation different than the US tanks?  WTF was Ducati/Acerbis thinking by offering (and showing via tooling stamp) different tank formulations in different regions?

[thought]

On a similar note, why was the Aus formulation different than the US tanks?  WTF was Ducati/Acerbis thinking by offering (and showing via tooling stamp) different tank formulations in different regions?

CARB laws dont let them use the eu/au kind of plastic... PEX i believe.  it's gas permeable enough that it wont pass regulations, i'm guessing that the material has to allow 0% of all vapor to permeate.  if CARB laws allowed it i'm sure they would have tried to switch to PEX already.

[ungeheuer]

CARB laws dont let them use the eu/au kind of plastic... PEX i believe.  it's gas permeable enough that it wont pass regulations, i'm guessing that the material has to allow 0% of all vapor to permeate.  if CARB laws allowed it i'm sure they would have tried to switch to PEX already.

Yup.  EU market new Monsters (Australia is in Europe apparently) get PEX (aka XLPE) tanks.  USA gets nylon.  PE and PEX is exactly as you say, gas permeable.  There's no way to get paint to adhere to it with any longevity - maybe thats why they went to the plastic tank with outer skins for the new Monsters?   The really interesting thing for me is that since it does seem like Ducati couldnt get PEX approved for use in the USA.... that they bothered to make a PEX tank at all. 

[ducatiz]

i was thinking about this... instead of offering a caswell treatment they cant offer because of homologation, could they offer a $250-$350 (depending on the size of the tank, i know the dealer i used charges more for a mts tank vs a sf tank) one time credit that must be spent at the dealer doing the replacement upon the first replacement of a tank?  at that point the owner could decide to do what they wanted with it, but most likely would have a "free" caswell done at the same time?  and just make sure that all the dealers know about the caswell coating beforehand.

a extended warranty + a free roundabout caswell coating would see me pretty ok as a realistic solution.

it is exactly what I suggested to DNA over a year ago.

[HotIce]

Yup.  EU market new Monsters (Australia is in Europe apparently) get PEX (aka XLPE) tanks.  USA gets nylon.  PE and PEX is exactly as you say, gas permeable.  There's no way to get paint to adhere to it with any longevity - maybe thats why they went to the plastic tank with outer skins for the new Monsters?   The really interesting thing for me is that since it does seem like Ducati couldnt get PEX approved for use in the USA.... that they bothered to make a PEX tank at all. 

So, assuming money is no issue, and someone wanted to solve the problem with no sealer in the tank, could he get a tank directly from Italy and mount it (living "legal" bits off the topic)?
Would it be a 100% fit, or USA models have someone a different layout?

[Curmudgeon]

So, assuming money is no issue, and someone wanted to solve the problem with no sealer in the tank, could he get a tank directly from Italy and mount it (living "legal" bits off the topic)?
Would it be a 100% fit, or USA models have someone a different layout?

Make sure you order the tank for ABS. 

[bikepilot]

FWIW dirt bike tanks are plastic, permeable, and don't have expansion issues that I can tell (I've got half a dozen of them, so I'd probably have noticed by now).

[Curmudgeon]

FWIW dirt bike tanks are plastic, permeable, and don't have expansion issues that I can tell (I've got half a dozen of them, so I'd probably have noticed by now).

So, do those say "PEX" on the bottom? (When will CA slide into the Pacific?  )

[HotIce]

Make sure you order the tank for ABS. 

Yup, of course 
Besides that, can I expect no ad-hoc USA changes from that POV?
If my bike will start having unbearable tank swelling problems, my plan is:

• Get the warranty replaced tank out of DNA
• Sell that tank on eBay
• Get new tank in Italy next summer and carry in USA on return 

[Curmudgeon]

Sounds like a plan. While I stand to be corrected by anyone with superior knowledge, my dealer told me that all the new bikes are Euro 3 compliant. So I "presume" the only difference is the CA evaps canister.

BTW, when I ordered a Pantah kit for my 796, it came from Italy via DHL from the factory direct in about a week. That box ought to be about the same size and weight. If you can get an Italian dealer to ship it via DHL and avoid paying VAT, the cost should be similar or less. Hate to think what airlines would charge these days!

You have an 1100 EVO, right?

[DucNaked]

Yup, of course 
Besides that, can I expect no ad-hoc USA changes from that POV?
If my bike will start having unbearable tank swelling problems, my plan is:

• Get the warranty replaced tank out of DNA
• Sell that tank on eBay
• Get new tank in Italy next summer and carry in USA on return 

If money is no issue why not get an aluminum tank.