HELP! Monster 696 rear gas tank bolt not coming loose

[drkhorse]

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

 

[ducpainter]

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.

[Speeddog]

Some more info here:
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55579.0

[ungeheuer]

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..


Euro tank..




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

[SpikeC]

 Because they think we are idiots?

[Raux]

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.

[Anchorism]

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) 

[drkhorse]

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.

[drkhorse]

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!

[Raux]

can you put the part # up from the new tank

[Curmudgeon]

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!

[Mau]

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! 

[Raux]

ebay one, they aren't that expensive

[ungeheuer]

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! 

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.

[oldndumb]

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.