Hello Ducati UK--Greg from USA here--hoping for some overseas wisdom! I have purchased some nice metal gas tank-to-fuel system interconnect fittings to replace the shitty plastic OEM bits. Why Ducati does this is beyond me--perhaps weight savings? Anyway, Gotham Cycles on Ebay (I believe they're in Florida) offers some high-quality metal interconnects for virtually all Panigale bikes. I'm trying to find a way to remove both plastic fittings--one male side threaded into the tank, and the female one attached to the plastic fuel line under tank-feeding the fuel distributor. I have a heat gun--but I think it's going to be WAYYY to hot and may melt the bits plus other surrounding parts. Plus--I don't like the idea of applying super heat around petrol fumes. I've used PB Blaster on the the threaded tank side--it appears very brittle and may snap in half if I apply too much torque to the 16mm wrench. Still not budging. Can anybody supply some wisdom on how to get this done safely? I bought some FI hose to replace the short section from fuel distributor-to plastic female fitting. So now I'm trying to remove the OE plastic line from the distributor barb (rather than the female fitting itself)-it's very hard and not responding to hand pressure. :-( Any help most welcome!! Greg Austin TX USA
Hi Greg. Whilst you state that you have already bought some metal quick disconnect couplings, these CPC ones are an excellent substitute by the way..... https://www.tom-parker.co.uk/produc...ling-bodies/150/in-line-valved-hose-barb/650/. You might just have to cut through the threaded boss that goes into the tank and pull out the remains with pliers. As for the barb into the fuel line, heat alone probably won't do it as they are usually an exceptionally tight fit. If you can find some suitable replacement fuel line, again you might have to cut the existing line off at the distributor end and start afresh.
Thanks so much for responding! I've sort of resigned myself to just cutting everything off! I'm ready to go with new fuel hose so no huge loss in ruining that hard plastic fuel line to the tank. Has anybody here had success in unscrewing the plastic male tank fuel coupler fitting from a Panigale tank? Seems rather precarious--mine seems fragile and bound to break. Guess I've got to bite the bullet so to speak if I want this done! Greg TX USA
It comes out easy enough - but it’s fragile and tends to break- not an issue if your are replacing it. I replaced mine with an identical metal fitting - I didn’t replace the other end. https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hose...f4c&cm_mmc=UK-CJAFF-_-Skimlinks-_-UK Homepage
Good news--it's an Easter miracle! The threaded male coupler came out without damage! I had sprayed PB Blaster last night on it and let it soak, I think that helped. Anyway, metal male interconnect now in place in tank-using Hylomar on the threads.. Next is the task of cutting off the hard plastic line at the fuel distributor.
Fully agree with not using a heat gun, but if you think heat is still worth trying, try a kettle of boiling water, pouring onto the connector end of the old fuel line. Check first that boiling is unlikely to jeopardise anything it might drip onto.
thank you--actually I just cut off the hard plastic OEM fuel line at the fuel distributor T-line. I then had to get some tiny scissors and slice the remaining hose on the barb, to remove it. Installed the new FI hose, 1/4"--6.3mm, and assembled with new metal connects. All is well---back in business!
