Are Petrol Tanks Cracking an Issue Here?

[Clifton]

I did a quick search and didn't notice any threads about the plastic tanks cracking at the outer seam. It appears to be an issue with the bikes sold in North America, perhaps related to the charcoal canister vapor collector. The system must have a check valve to prevent fumes from escaping that causes the tank to expand and contract with pressure? My tank has cracked and it's scheduled to be replaced as it's still under warranty, just. Afterwards I'm considering removing the whole system but thought I'd ask.
Any of you experience your tank cracking?
Do the tanks just freely vent to the atmosphere or is there some kind of check valve?

 

[FlooFoo]

This might be a complete red herring but there is an issue in the US with some plastic fuel tanks on the Ducati Sport Classic spreading and deforming, one theory is that there is an addictive used in petrol in the US that is not used in Europe which has caused the problem with the plastic.

Sorry I can't remember the name of the additive - maybe ethanol and of course the Ducati fuel tank is in the 'normal' place so subject to heat from the sun etc.

As I said, this info might be totally irellevant but there hasn't been any issues (that I know of) in Europe and no doubt the clever Germans would have thought about this already.

 

[Clifton]

FlooFoo, you're right about Ducati's tank problem here. Most feel it's caused by the stupid ethanol they put in our petrol. In the F800/650's case I don't think that's the issue as there's an inner tank or liner seperating the petrol from the outer tank (which is what's cracking).

 

[Sooty09]

I read the cracked tank issue two years ago on the US web site. It mentioned the double skin tank construction and after asking dealers and looking closely at ours I'm convinced the European tanks are single skin.
I know a few people with 650s & 800s and nobody has found or heard of any tank issues in the UK.

 

[GunZenBomZ]

When I've filled mine up, and lean it over on the way home. I find fuel has drained out from the filler area. Don't think its the tank but I have noticed it a few times now.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Doesn't seem to be a problem over here, see http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206196

 

[Clifton]

Thanks Tim, I hadn't seen that post. It almost has to be related to the evaporative emmission plumbing then. I'm going to have the stuff taken off when they replace my tank.