S4rs expanding petrol tank

05-10-2016, 07:31 PM

Has anyone any experience of this. Bought my S4rs new in 2008 and the tank has been slowly expanding since then,. I know its ethanol problems and poor quality of tank and has been talked about on forums particularly in USA. I should have acted on this when it first started years previously but its now got so bad I cant lock the tank down as strap now fowls the ignition pod . Has anybody had experience of this and can you tell me what you experiences were with Ducati re getting a replacement . No doubt I have left it to late now but any advice welcome

Darren69 · 05-10-2016, 08:01 PM

According to a few who have posted on here with the same problem, if you dry the tank out it will shrink back to normal size.I'm not sure if the paint will be ok.

You can pull the tank a bit further back at the hinges.

I don't think you'll have much luck with Ducati as I think they only replaced tanks in the US to avoid expensive legal action. I think for everywhere else they just supplied modified hinges that allow the tank to be pulled back some more.

Dave G · 05-10-2016, 08:52 PM

This has been an issue for a few owners, including me. Both my bikes are affected, the s2r has only a slight issue where the latch is problematic to engage properly but my sc was trapping my thumbs when the bars were turned which, as my mot tester pointed out, is an mot fail.

Last September I removed the sc tank and hung it dry over winter, it did go back a bit but not to its original size.

Unfortunately Ducati uk don't give a f@ck about this so don't expect any help from them and is a pretty damn strong reason for me not to buy another bike from them. Both my bikes were bought new from official dealers, Ducati have got the money and have washed their hands of it, along with my future custom.

I'll continue to use and enjoy both bikes but it does leave a sour taste as far as customer care goes.

05-10-2016, 10:59 PM

Best you can do is let it dry out and then get the inside coated. BP Super Unleaded and Esso Super has 0 ethanol in it I think. I had similar with my MV, but MV warrantied me a new tank.

damien666 · 06-10-2016, 12:30 AM

I have to lever mine at the front and force it down to get it to hook under the latch.
I ended up ordering an ally tank from Beater in japan. (Not painted or fitted yet).

06-10-2016, 10:50 AM

I had this problem with my S4RS - I took it to a dealership and asked them to send photos to Ducati.

They offered to replace my tank on the provision that my bike had a FULL service history undertaken my authorised Ducati dealerships only... luckily it did so I got a new tank.

12-10-2016, 06:55 PM

ok many thanks for your advice will try to dry out tank .

Flip · 12-10-2016, 07:35 PM

When I first bought my race bike it had a composite tank fitted and despite it being coated with some type of sealant on the inside it still suffered bubbling and expansion.

At the time I didn't even think to drain the tank between races and since then I have had an ally one made so the problem has gone away for me there but the composite one didn't regain it's former shape after draining and leaving it and I don't really see how the plastic ones fitted to many newer bikes would either.

I honestly cannot believe the manufactures are letting this go with the fuel companies or that it wasn't researched more thoroughly in order to have prevented this as it is only set to get worse as the percentage of Ethanol in fuels is set to increase over the coming years.

In addition to this there is also the problem of it affecting the mixture of carburated engines which I presume the ECU of fuel injected motors can compensate for at least.

If it were me (and especially if I had bought the bike brand new like you) I would be pestering Ducati constantly in the hope that they eventually get fed up and give you a new tank to shut you up- a full service history etc. is a load of boll*cks excuse not to help although of course long term even if they did replace the tank it will likely happen again unless Ethanol is no longer added to fuels.

walkingpictures · 07-10-2020, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damien666

I have to lever mine at the front and force it down to get it to hook under the latch.
I ended up ordering an ally tank from Beater in japan. (Not painted or fitted yet).

Out of interest,do you still have to lever yours to get it fitted?Or,did you fit the ally tank?Or......sorry about all the questions....did the elongated hinge mounting plate holes do the trick?

Kimbo

damien666 · 07-10-2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkingpictures

Out of interest,do you still have to lever yours to get it fitted?Or,did you fit the ally tank?Or......sorry about all the questions....did the elongated hinge mounting plate holes do the trick?

Kimbo

With the holes elongated to the max, yes it’s still very tight at the ignition shroud.
The ally tank is still in it’s box. A combination of just seeing how long original tank will last and finding a self etching clear which i have the confidence to do it’s job over the bare metal.

Luddite · 07-10-2020, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

No more 0% ethanol pure Benzine fuel in Uk since early this year even Esso and BP 97 /98/99 octane is now 5% ethanol

Not true. For confirmation, I've just tested 100cc of Esso Synergy Supreme+ bought from Chickenhall Service Station in Eastleigh last Wednesday and, as in all previous tests, it remains completely ethanol free.

There is currently no E10 fuel available in the UK as it is not due to be introduced until 2021. According to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), there will be a nationwide publicity campaign six months before the launch of E10, so keep an eye out for that and pay attention to the pump labels once E10 becomes available.

Again, according to the PRA, 'protection grade' E5 will continue to be made available for at least five years after the introduction of E10. My hope is that, while E5 remains on the menu, Esso will continue to offer it as ethanol-free.

jerry · 13-10-2016, 07:03 PM

I USA Ducati were taken to court and agreed to change tanks for 6 years , some people have had 4 replacements that all warped , after 6 year they are all buggered there will be a lot of scrap bikes , Ducati dont care ,, but of course all recent new Ducatis have metal tanks again,,

Gerry · 13-10-2016, 09:22 PM

I dry mine out over winter with the pump and the cap removed. It shrinks back a bit. It would be a good idea to get the later pump flange rubber o ring fitted too. I made a new tank bracket which allowed me to slide the tank back a few mm. My bike lives in the kitchen over winter so nice and warm.

Be careful when removing the quick release fuel connectors, don't break the plastic springy bits on them.

I don't think there is any pump petrol out there without 5% ethanol in it, whether its V max ... turbo nutter or Esso god knows what.

13-10-2016, 09:50 PM

Same issue on my RSVR and Aprilia dont care either.
Use Esso Super or BP Premium as it is currently 0% Ethanol around here.
Drying tank out over winter helps but only a touch over leaving it nearly empty with good fuel in it.

Additives hardly help and it also an issue as the Ethanol causes water to separate out.
The ethanol can also rot some plastics and rubbers in carbs - an issue if you have classic cars and bikes.

Flip · 13-10-2016, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrD

The ethanol can also rot some plastics and rubbers in carbs - an issue if you have classic cars and bikes.

Can concur with that as the rubber inlet/carb mount for the Amal on my little racer did need replacing once a season due to the Ethanol in Shell V-Power that I was running it on. B.P's Super did the same last year and I now use Esso so will see how it goes in the future.

Amal have also started using Viton tipped float needles and O-rings in their refurb kits to help combat the effects.

05-10-2016, 07:31 PM	#1
kempo Guest Posts: n/a	S4rs expanding petrol tank Has anyone any experience of this. Bought my S4rs new in 2008 and the tank has been slowly expanding since then,. I know its ethanol problems and poor quality of tank and has been talked about on forums particularly in USA. I should have acted on this when it first started years previously but its now got so bad I cant lock the tank down as strap now fowls the ignition pod . Has anybody had experience of this and can you tell me what you experiences were with Ducati re getting a replacement . No doubt I have left it to late now but any advice welcome

05-10-2016, 08:01 PM	#2
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,027	According to a few who have posted on here with the same problem, if you dry the tank out it will shrink back to normal size.I'm not sure if the paint will be ok. You can pull the tank a bit further back at the hinges. I don't think you'll have much luck with Ducati as I think they only replaced tanks in the US to avoid expensive legal action. I think for everywhere else they just supplied modified hinges that allow the tank to be pulled back some more. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

05-10-2016, 08:52 PM	#3
Dave G Imagineer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Kilbride Bike: S2r Posts: 999	This has been an issue for a few owners, including me. Both my bikes are affected, the s2r has only a slight issue where the latch is problematic to engage properly but my sc was trapping my thumbs when the bars were turned which, as my mot tester pointed out, is an mot fail. Last September I removed the sc tank and hung it dry over winter, it did go back a bit but not to its original size. Unfortunately Ducati uk don't give a f@ck about this so don't expect any help from them and is a pretty damn strong reason for me not to buy another bike from them. Both my bikes were bought new from official dealers, Ducati have got the money and have washed their hands of it, along with my future custom. I'll continue to use and enjoy both bikes but it does leave a sour taste as far as customer care goes. __________________ "One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man" -Elbert Hubbard

12-10-2016, 07:35 PM	#8
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	When I first bought my race bike it had a composite tank fitted and despite it being coated with some type of sealant on the inside it still suffered bubbling and expansion. At the time I didn't even think to drain the tank between races and since then I have had an ally one made so the problem has gone away for me there but the composite one didn't regain it's former shape after draining and leaving it and I don't really see how the plastic ones fitted to many newer bikes would either. I honestly cannot believe the manufactures are letting this go with the fuel companies or that it wasn't researched more thoroughly in order to have prevented this as it is only set to get worse as the percentage of Ethanol in fuels is set to increase over the coming years. In addition to this there is also the problem of it affecting the mixture of carburated engines which I presume the ECU of fuel injected motors can compensate for at least. If it were me (and especially if I had bought the bike brand new like you) I would be pestering Ducati constantly in the hope that they eventually get fed up and give you a new tank to shut you up- a full service history etc. is a load of boll*cks excuse not to help although of course long term even if they did replace the tank it will likely happen again unless Ethanol is no longer added to fuels. __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

13-10-2016, 07:03 PM	#12
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,829	I USA Ducati were taken to court and agreed to change tanks for 6 years , some people have had 4 replacements that all warped , after 6 year they are all buggered there will be a lot of scrap bikes , Ducati dont care ,, but of course all recent new Ducatis have metal tanks again,, __________________ MONSTERMAN

05-10-2016, 10:59 PM	#4
Wildfire Guest Posts: n/a	Best you can do is let it dry out and then get the inside coated. BP Super Unleaded and Esso Super has 0 ethanol in it I think. I had similar with my MV, but MV warrantied me a new tank.

06-10-2016, 12:30 AM	#5
damien666 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Leeds, West-Yorks Bike: S4Rs Posts: 497	I have to lever mine at the front and force it down to get it to hook under the latch. I ended up ordering an ally tank from Beater in japan. (Not painted or fitted yet).

06-10-2016, 10:50 AM	#6
M-Hit Guest Posts: n/a	I had this problem with my S4RS - I took it to a dealership and asked them to send photos to Ducati. They offered to replace my tank on the provision that my bike had a FULL service history undertaken my authorised Ducati dealerships only... luckily it did so I got a new tank.

12-10-2016, 06:55 PM	#7
kempo Guest Posts: n/a	ok many thanks for your advice will try to dry out tank .

13-10-2016, 09:22 PM	#13
Gerry Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chippenham Bike: S2r Posts: 220	I dry mine out over winter with the pump and the cap removed. It shrinks back a bit. It would be a good idea to get the later pump flange rubber o ring fitted too. I made a new tank bracket which allowed me to slide the tank back a few mm. My bike lives in the kitchen over winter so nice and warm. Be careful when removing the quick release fuel connectors, don't break the plastic springy bits on them. I don't think there is any pump petrol out there without 5% ethanol in it, whether its V max ... turbo nutter or Esso god knows what. Last edited by Gerry; 13-10-2016 at 09:27 PM..

13-10-2016, 09:50 PM	#14
DrD Guest Posts: n/a	Same issue on my RSVR and Aprilia dont care either. Use Esso Super or BP Premium as it is currently 0% Ethanol around here. Drying tank out over winter helps but only a touch over leaving it nearly empty with good fuel in it. Additives hardly help and it also an issue as the Ethanol causes water to separate out. The ethanol can also rot some plastics and rubbers in carbs - an issue if you have classic cars and bikes.