Another Fuel Tank Frustration

Van's just sent an e-mail to the finish kit builders indicating there may be a problem with the sightglass on the RV-12 fuel tank.

RV-12 Service Note

"During a recent inspection of Van’s prototype RV-12, it was discovered that the fuel tank sight window, T-1210, was ‘crazing’. While this window has been in service for a year, Van’s is investigating alternative materials that will better resist the harsh environment inside the fuel tank. If you have not installed your T-1210 sight window, Van’s recommends that you do not install it at this time. Van’s is currently researching alternative materials and will make new sight windows available as soon as we have procured that If you’ve already installed your T-1210 sight window, replacement may be required. However, Van’s recommends suspending any further work on your fuel tank and leaving the window installed until we have more information on a ‘fix’ for this issue. We apologize for this inconvenience."

My tank is complete. Leak-free and has been primed and final painted. To replace the window the top of the tank would have to come off. In addition the front of the tank would have to come off to reach the clips that are holding the fuel return line to the top of the tank. IMHO, a major pain. Plain and simple, it would be a disaster. Would be much better off just building a complete new tank. Thought I was done with fuel tank sealant. Sigh!

This material compatibility issue is a simple but major engineering error, realizing the tank is inside the fuselage.

There can't be many of us that have the tank complete as of today. The tank should be acceptable for the near term, but, for those of us that have it completed, the factory should supply us with a complete set of new tank components at no cost, within the next 6 months.

We will see if Van's treats this problem and the RV-12 builders that have completed the tank correctly.