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Cracked tank

Printed From: guzziriders.org - moto guzzi forum
Category: Technical
Forum Name: New V100 Mandello etc.
Forum Description: For those lucky enough to own one.
URL: http://www.guzziriders.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=15430
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 00:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Cracked tank
Posted By: Buckaroo
Subject: Cracked tank
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 13:53
So, after almost a week or ownership and the garage stinking like a, well like a garage actually. Really strong petrol smell.

Bike's back with the dealer and I have been told that the tank has a crack. Only 93 miles on the clock.

Could be a long wait, whilst my tax and insurance diminish and I can't ride it on the odd dry day.

Not particularly pleased but faeces happens.



Replies:
Posted By: Gianni
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 14:57
Does your dealer have an unsold model in the same colour?

Or perhaps Piaggio could reach out to other dealers on your behalf to supply a tank from an unsold bike?

I would be less than impressed if this was just put into the "you'll have to wait until the factory supply a spare" column.

BTW, what model is it? Interesting to know if it is a one-off or systemic problem (see 8 valve Stelvios from 2009 - still waiting for the recall).


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Le Mans 1, Spada, Cali 1, T3 Mongrel, Le Mans V, Quota x 2, Stelvio TT


Posted By: Oldrat
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 16:43
Oh dear, feel for you. Hope it gets sorted quickly.

đŸ»




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1976 "Zagato" Gootsi cafe racer
BMW GSA


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 17:20
It's a V100 Mandello.
They're going to try to get one in the UK but failing that it's a call to Giuseppe after New year. I'm stealing myself for a long wait. Will be looking for some comp as well. 93miles and a knackered tank isn't quite what I expected.


Posted By: Andy M
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 18:22
Oh dear.

A cracked tank should certainly be a successful warranty claim. I'd start yourself a bit of a file with all the correspondence, especially the description as "cracked". You are entitled to your money back or a replacement in a reasonable time for defective goods. What's reasonable is a discussion point and they should be taking into account that you are missing out on using it.

Piaggio have a reputation for dumping all this stuff on dealers. They are legally correct, so sympathise a little if the dealer struggles, but ultimately the dealer does have to fix this.

The fact it is a safety concern (fire) may concentrate minds if it turns out Giuseppe can't remember which bench he keeps spares under. As a concerned citizen without a motorcycle to ride to take your mind off it, you may contact  https://contact-dvsa.service.gov.uk/vehicle-user-name/" rel="nofollow - https://contact-dvsa.service.gov.uk/vehicle-user-name/

Good Luck and keep us posted

Andy


Posted By: Brian UK
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 20:33
Reminds me of a pair of motorcycle boots I bought from a (then) prominent supplier of leather bike clothing. This was before electric starters existed.
Sole broke up after a few months. "You've been using them to start a bike haven't you".

Hope all are honest in sorting out your problem quickly.


-------------
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.


Posted By: Jerry atric
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 21:00
Originally posted by Brian UK Brian UK wrote:

Reminds me of a pair of motorcycle boots I bought from a (then) prominent supplier of leather bike clothing. This was before electric starters existed.
Sole broke up after a few months. "You've been using them to start a bike haven't you".

Hope all are honest in sorting out your problem quickly.

That's a classic😂


Posted By: Simond
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 21:46
I like Andy’s recommendation.

Some 20 years back my wife received a recall notice for our Discovery 2.  Needed a new fuel tank, apparently, risk of failure, fire,etc.

Make appointment, they tell me I can have a loan car but I have to insure it.  Tell them that’s nonsense, and after a brief argument get it sorted, appointment, drop off car,  collect loan car, and confirm that it’ll take two to three hours.  Do shopping, and then waste about an hour and a half before returning to collect my car which has not yet been started.  â€œYou’ll have to come back, sir”.  â€œMe, and Your loan car, will be in Folkestone when you bring my car”. “We don’t do that”.  â€œOk, give me a ring when you’re coming to deliver it, goodbye”

They ring me.  About  5:30, “we’re going to drop your car and collect the loan car, but there’s no petrol in your car”.  â€œYes, I figured it would be easier to change the tank, so I ran the fuel down”.  â€œSo what do we do?”  â€œPut a tenner in, and bring the receipt, it’s not difficult”

So they deliver it back, and we give them the tenner, and that’s that.  Til the following day.  Finished work, I dropped the kids at their piano lessons, filled the Disco with petrol and drove home, end of the week, park car on drive, go to pub.

Madame collects kids, and comes home to find a stream of petrol running down the drive


They’d only forgotten to tighten the clips on the elephant’s trunk between the filler and the tank.  

Fixed in two seconds, once I’d rushed my pint.


The funny bit of the story.  at that time I worked for a tier1 supplier to the auto industry, and we had some issues with the launch of Disco3.  I knew the quality director quite well (perhaps the opposite would be more accurate!) but he was much amused by my story on Monday morning.  

About half an hour later I had the dealer’s quality manager begging me to bring the car back so they could sort it out.  Maybe I’d have had a load of goodies if I had, but I didn’t risk letting them break it again.


Fuel tank leaks are definitely dangerous, definitely a recall matter. Take Andy’s advice.



Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2023 at 23:05
At present the dealer has been very helpful and unless they give me reason to think otherwise, I'm hoping for a quick resolution. I believe in honey first, vinegar second. I can do both pretty good.


Posted By: Simond
Date Posted: 25 Dec 2023 at 08:27
Nicely put.  â€œHoney first, vinegar second”.

Hope it turns out ok,

Merry Christmas!


Posted By: V7Chris
Date Posted: 25 Dec 2023 at 08:41
Yes, best to give them every opportunity to put it right first. Just as well it's not an Erwin Hymer group caravan (don't ever buy one, whatever you do).  Damp issues identified by us in March 23, had to pay £50 for a damp report by another dealer as supplying dealers wouldn't look at it 'until the end of the year at least and it will be another six months after that before we can even think about booking it into the workshop for repairs'. A recorded delivery letter with a copy of the damp report reminding them of their obligations seems to have worked, at least it is now in the workshop undergoing repairs.


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 25 Dec 2023 at 09:10
Thanks all. Merry Christmas!!


Posted By: Misttal4
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 18:12
The Vinegar honey thing makes sense now, I have jumped out of the intro forum to this thread.
I'll put the shaft drive link here so people can see it if they wish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pyaANJTGZ_U" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pyaANJTGZ_U


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2024 at 22:50
Thanks, and to close the story, the bike is back with me. The dealer said that the battery was suspect and so they have changed it as well. All in all the dealer has been very good and super helpful.


Posted By: Brian UK
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 08:09
That drive shaft "problem" is nothing to do with warranty, it's clearly a rider inflicted failure.

-------------
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.


Posted By: Gianni
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 09:21
Originally posted by Buckaroo Buckaroo wrote:

All in all the dealer has been very good and super helpful.

Would it be possible to name this paragon of customer service?

North London is a bit of a Guzzi desert and I guess they will be in the nearby Herts region?


-------------
Le Mans 1, Spada, Cali 1, T3 Mongrel, Le Mans V, Quota x 2, Stelvio TT


Posted By: Misttal4
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 09:59
Originally posted by Buckaroo Buckaroo wrote:

Thanks, and to close the story, the bike is back with me. The dealer said that the battery was suspect and so they have changed it as well. All in all the dealer has been very good and super helpful.
Great, glad all was sorted and hopefully that should be good.
Can you tell us the dealer in question?



Posted By: Misttal4
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 10:02
Originally posted by Brian UK Brian UK wrote:

That drive shaft "problem" is nothing to do with warranty, it's clearly a rider inflicted failure.
I think that is most likely the bike has been ridden well outside it's envelope, but i will keep an eye out for anything similar.
I suspect he has had both wheels off the ground on more than one occasion.


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2024 at 14:14
The dealer in question are On your bike Aylesbury.

Main dealer for all Italian marques.

All of the team have been great to deal with.


Posted By: Misttal4
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2024 at 12:46
Originally posted by Brian UK Brian UK wrote:

That drive shaft "problem" is nothing to do with warranty, it's clearly a rider inflicted failure.
Looks like it's a problem with collapsing swing arm bearings, apparently now beefed up on the new Stelvio


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 06 May 2024 at 22:43
Errrr, I have a strong smell of petrol again. I do so hope the tank hasn't cracked again


Posted By: Andy M
Date Posted: 07 May 2024 at 08:21
Oh dear Unhappy

IMHO, Same routine as before I'm afraid. Back to the dealer, tell them the previous repair has failed, give them the chance to repair it. You can start to build towards rejecting the bike because no one can repair it but take care, that's a huge problem for a dealer who'll be saddled with the duffer. I wouldn't push hard until it gets there, you want them working not scared of lawyers.

I would want to know why they believe this is happening. I doubt they'll have a problem telling you, but BS detectors should be switched on. Anything about the new tank being hard to fit would have me asking more.

Going against my own advice, does it only smell of petrol after a long or hard run? Is this the stink of St. Greta's box? If that's what it is, (rather than dribbling under the bike when you come to start it first thing), removing the box and going to a normal tank breather might be all it needs.

Andy


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 07 May 2024 at 10:26
I'll take the same approach with the dealer. They were very good the last time and I would like to think they will want to sort this out.

Good point about the box. I'm going to monitor the situation, essentially using the bike as normal and see if I have a genuine problem. The dealer knows, and in all likelihood, will see the bike for the first service. Should it be another tank swap, I'll push for a hire bike and additional compensation.

It's a shame as I really am happy with the bike.


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 08 May 2024 at 09:36
One other thing I have noticed is the pressure that's building up in the tank. Over the past days on opening the cap, there's a pronounced hiss. Not sure if that's normal?


Posted By: Andy M
Date Posted: 08 May 2024 at 10:39
St. Greta's box.

The tank breather is routed to the coal box so that the demons don't escape and make tree fairys cry or whatever the tree hugging religious nutters think happens with petrol in a lidded container. The pipework and charcoal is a restriction. It becomes even more of a restriction once the charcoal is powdered by vibration and soaked in petrol if you fill the tank high enough for any to go down the breather. The solenoid should open and let the fumes go into the inlet based on FI info, but this can be hit and miss.

My V7-850 would basically run out fuel if you rode hard on the open roads but obeyed the village speed limits. Huge vacuum in the tank because it was closed off both at high speed and low.

I'd pull the pipes off the canister. Seal the one to the solenoid with a 6mm bolt and cable ties, leave the one from the tank open. No more vacuum in the tank and chance to see if the smell goes too.

Andy




Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 08 May 2024 at 14:27
That's an interesting point. So you think it's a vacuum rather than pressure?

I'd assumed a positive pressure, potentially worsened by increased temperatures.


Posted By: Andy M
Date Posted: 09 May 2024 at 07:19
Yes vacuum. Falling fuel levels need to pull air in and the restrictions in the breather prevents it. It's the petrol soaked charcoal you can smell. These should be sucked into the engine and burnt, but if the breathing bit doesn't work I can well imagine this doesn't either. The canisters absolutely reek close up. If liquid fuel soaks the charcoal (because no one wants their Enfield (notorious for it) to have a lump on top of the tank to create a dead volume) it literally pours out.

Empty a gallon out of the tank and go for a 50+ mile ride. If there is no smell it's because the empty space above the fuel allows enough breathing and the pipe to the canister is well clear of fluid.

Andy




Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 09 May 2024 at 19:15
I did a 120 miles ride today. It's not made any difference. My wife thinks I'm a bit paranoid as she says it's barely noticeable, if at all. I'll get the dealer to give it a once over on the first service.


Posted By: Andy M
Date Posted: 11 May 2024 at 14:17
Good plan Thumbs Up

St.Gretas box certainly smells of petrol and the function of the various controls seems to vary from bike to bike. The V7 suffered proper "running out of petrol" moments (cured) which the ASR stupidity (feels like a dodgy coil) made worse. Even Honda CB500's have their moments of funny clicking noises. My Forza and Cub are the first ones with Euro 5 I have not had the urge to "lighten" by letting this stuff accidentally "fall off".

If it goes and there is no dripping it's probably fine. 

Andy


Posted By: Buckaroo
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2024 at 22:50
The nice guys at On Yer Bike near Bicester did the 900 mile service today. They've checked out the vent hoses and various entry/exit points on the tank. All's in order.
The bike is fine and a joy to ride.

I can't recommend the dealer and team enough. They've been very helpful and so easy to deal with.

I mentioned to my wife that they have a limited edition Thruxton for sale. They want £14000. It's second hand but mint. 

Why don't you get it says the wife......err I like my Guzzi, thanks 


Posted By: Mike H
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2024 at 15:18
 Big smile



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"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."



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