Poll: QB Tanks Leak or Not

[Mark33]

Originally Posted by Electrogunner

So the cost of your QB wings went up considerably. I would have a hard time eating that. IMHO.

Yes it did. It was a hard pill to swallow, but the time saved in standard build wings and tanks VS. quick build was still worth it it me. I certainly could have just left well enough alone and tried the tanks as they were, but I guess I just wanted the insurance of not having to mess with them after the airplane was painted.

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by Electrogunner

So the cost of your QB wings went up considerably. I would have a hard time eating that. IMHO.

What does it cost to remove tanks after the fact and repair your $20K paint job?

A tank repair patch is $8.10 from Van's. Might be worth opening up at least the inboard and outboard bays for inspection.It appears some people are expecting Lexus quality but you are paying less than minimum wage for the Philippine labor.

[Electrogunner]

Originally Posted by KatanaPilot

What does it cost to remove tanks after the fact and repair your $20K paint job?

A tank repair patch is $8.10 from Van's. Might be worth opening up at least the inboard and outboard bays for inspection.It appears some people are expecting Lexus quality but you are paying less than minimum wage for the Philippine labor.

Any product that I purchase, I expect Lexus quality. My quality expectations do not change as to where THEY decide to have their product assembled. That is their choice, not mine. But they should have to deal with those consequences, not me. Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing vans in any way. I just think there should be additional QC put in place in some areas.

[rocketman1988]

"...Any product that I purchase, I expect Lexus quality. My quality expectations do not change as to where THEY decide to have their product assembled. That is their choice, not mine. But they should have to deal with those consequences, not me. Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing vans in any way. I just think there should be additional QC put in place in some areas..."

The question becomes, "How do you determine what is acceptable?" You say you expect "Lexus Quality"...problem is, if you look at Lexus products, they are not perfect either; there is an acceptable level of quality. Don't get me wrong, Lexus has really good QC...but they are by no means perfect. (from personal experience)

That being said, there are a lot of generalizations being made in this thread. Apparently, there are a handful of people that have had issues with their QB tanks. How does this number compare to the number that haven't had issues? Is there a correlation between the faulty tanks and a specific time range or shift range? There are a lot of variables; to say "the QB tanks are bad and will leak" based on such a small sample size is pretty silly. There is also no guarantee that those will build their own tanks won't leak. Maybe, another poll should be conducted to get this data?

In the end, it is up to each individual to decide for themselves and base their decision on either a tiny sample of failed tanks or the thousands of tanks that haven't had issues...

[Bavafa]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

Yes, it is.
It has been, and will continue to be the highest priority focus detail regarding QB quality.

Two things that I hope people will keep in mind while discussing this issue. (And before anyone accuses me of down playing any issue they might have had, I am not. Just stating facts that should be be kept in mind by those that are interested in the subject)

QB kits have been available for a loooong time (first one was delivered sometime in 1994/1995 time frame I think). That coupled with the fact that the average completion time of even a QB kit is a few years, makes it clear that an issue that someone encounters recently, can be in tanks that were completed many years ago.

A sample count of 20 in a poll, out of 500+ QB kits produced (just a guess, it is probably double that or more), is not in any way going to give a reasonable indication of what the leak rate in QB fuel tanks is. That coupled with the fact that in the world of the internet, anyone that has ever had a problem with something is always willing to talk about it to anyone that will listen..... those that were totally pleased with something, rarely say anything.

Let me be one of those who speak positively about the QB tanks. I purchased two separate QB wings (RV7A and 14A) and very pleased with the QB tanks. The paint on a few of the rivets swelled up but no leak. The RV7A is about 10 years old now.

[jj13]

I received my QB wings December 2012, been flying for 5 years / 500 hours, no leaks .

[Bastien]

Originally Posted by Bavafa

Let me be one of those who speak positively about the QB tanks. I purchased two separate QB wings (RV7A and 14A) and very pleased with the QB tanks. The paint on a few of the rivets swelled up but no leak. The RV7A is about 10 years old now.

I would not be able to say that I am pleased with the quality having that issue but as other stated, it depends of the level of quality each of us expects or accepts.

My tanks were not built by Van's but were leaking too. A friend of mine with quick built wings has a good dozen of rivets leaking from factory QB wings.
From my perspective, I find it unacceptable.

[SeanB]

"Apparently, there are a handful of people that have had issues with their QB tanks. How does this number compare to the number that haven't had issues?"

This is what I hoped would be revealed in this poll. Are there a large portion of folks that never had leaks with their QB tanks? I suppose it's impossible to get a real data set. I agree and understand why the upset portion are more vocal, while the satisfied tend to be silent.

Because I have QB tanks, (not yet flying) I wonder if I should open them up before fuel and paint.

I remain an impressed and happy Van's customer overall. I do agree the QB tanks are an area for improvement.

[Bavafa]

Originally Posted by Bastien

I would not be able to say that I am pleased with the quality having that issue but as other stated, it depends of the level of quality each of us expects or accepts.

My tanks were not built by Van's but were leaking too. A friend of mine with quick built wings has a good dozen of rivets leaking from factory QB wings.
From my perspective, I find it unacceptable.

If mine were leaking, I would also be very very unhappy, considering both of my planes were painted prior to flying and it would be harder and a bigger pain to deal with a leaky tank when it is painted.

[RV8JD]

I could only vote once but ... my first RV-8 was an early QB and the tanks never leaked in the 2,000 hours I flew it. My current RV-8 is a late QB and its tanks have not leaked in 600+ Hobbs hours (knock on wood!).