Sonex fuel tank revision

[marsolgp]

Another option, that I learned about from fellow builder, 3M Scotch-Weld DP8005..... A little pricey but was made for and works great on these plastics.

[Sonex1542]

Help me understand, The Great Sonex Fuel Tank Fiasco of 2015!, since I ordered a tank last year that is still not in the fuse.

I get that the current fittings get loose in the rotated plastic then leak. Is sonex sending out oops fittings with new tank purchases? Do I attempt to install without installing oops fittings? Do I have to buy the fittings? Least they can do is send out oops fittings for all old tank sales if needed. :x

[LarryEWaiex121]

I'm reading all this leaking stuff on fuel tanks and wondering what I missed out on?
My Waiex kit was shipped to me in April of 08 and it has the translucent colored poly tank. I've never had a leak in the cockpit other than not getting the snap over stopper tight enough after sitting for extended periods. The butalene rubber or how ever you spell it shrinks with no contact with the fuel it seems.
Back to the fittings issue. Did Sonex change their tank manufacture or design along the way that causes these fittings to fail or I'm I just lucky and not had a failure YET?
I never followed the discussion before, but now I'm wondering if my tank is on borrowed time?

Larry
Waiex 121YX , Jabiru 3300, 449 hrs

[SonexN76ET]

Some people have tanks that do not leak. The leaks are often caused by overtorquing the fittings screwed into the tank or builders not protecting the fittings from vibration or side loads or hanging heavy things off the hoses and fitttings. Sometimes the brass fittings or aluminum fittings people screw into the fittings seize and then cause a leak when torque is used to try to remove them. Some people are just unlucky and have a fitting start to leak for no good reason. So far I have not had a leak. I think if I ever do get one, I will use the 3M product Geary recommended along with an oversized aluminum washer on the outside of the fitting to try to stem the leak.

I once thought I had a leak, but it was the teflon paste I used on the Princeton fuel probe allowing seepage. I replaced the teflon paste with "fuel lube" and that put an end to the seepage.

I have been very careful not to put any strain on my fuel tank fittings, so perhaps that has helped.

I also agree with Keith that I do not like the oops fittings. I used one to plumb a fuel return line since I am running a fuel pump. I think the oops fittings are too light, don't have a wide enough base, and don't hold the torque on the nuts holding them in place very well. I would like to recommend that Sonex use an oops fitting that is heavier and has a wider inside base to allow it to hold more torque on the inside of the tank to get a tighter squeeze on the outside nut. Perhaps a lock washer or lock nut too?

Jake

[rizzz]

This stinks new buyers get correct method and I must buy corrective measures

As a user who installed the tank as-is before knowing about the potential issue, yes it sucks knowing that I might have a very tricky fix to do some time in the future.

That said,
I think this is a good development. Sonex recognised there is a problem and it is big enough that there is a need to do something about it.
They listened to their customers and acted, not every manufacturer does this.

Not many things in this world are perfect from the start so it is good to see they still improve where/when needed.

[mike.smith]

I'm reading all this leaking stuff on fuel tanks and wondering what I missed out on?
My Waiex kit was shipped to me in April of 08 and it has the translucent colored poly tank. I've never had a leak in the cockpit

125 hours on mine and also no leaks. Based on others' issues I do look for a leak by running my finger around the base of the fittings as part of my preflight.

[jjbardell]

I may not make any new friends with this post, but several of the posts are referencing one of the business limitations which prevents Sonex from being perceived as a top tier company. Without the Sonex community helping each other, my option is that Sonex would not have the success it has had. With that said, I can't speak highly enough for some of the sales and management team there.

I agree with several of you. Sonex needs to take a stronger, less ambiguous, leadership role in guiding builders. Enhancements / changes is 'moving forward', and that's good thinking and business development but without providing guidance to those stuck in the middle (i.e.- have tank but not installed), it causes confusion and frustration.

So Kerry, what is Sonex's recommendation; do builders with a tank not installed put the oops fittings in now as preventative measure or do we deal with it later, if/when the issue rises?

Rutter / Sonex1542 - in my opinion, sometimes timing is unfortunate. A few weeks after I received my turbo Aerovee kit with the $250 prop hub assembly option, Sonex announced free prop hub assembly as a special. They were going to get back to me about some online credit. That was back during Oshkosh...I'm still waiting.

I hope Sonex sees this thread as constructive feedback and an opportunity, not as a negative.

[Sonex374]

Jjbardell I respond to let you know I 'm not angered by your post. My post was one of frustration. I had purchased the tank in the past year or so had just ordered and received felt etc. Then as i'm installing out comes the revision.
So do I need the felt nothing posted one way another also now oops fittings?
Frustration is heightened by the fact full information is not received as to what led to the revision,if it was found that the original did not preform to expected result say so and let's move on. But to have to purchase corrective methods prior to using that purchased but not yet installed is not good practice. That is akin to buying two of everything just in case the first was not right.
I appreciate your post and the Sonex company I just want to get done and fly.

[DCASonex]

Now that Sonex is making the "Oops" fittings standard perhaps they will go the rest of the way and have fittings, (not oops fittings) made to order. Last I inquired, they purchased these, and could not even advise material grade of 0-rings supplied. O-rings for inside of my small fittings looked to be one size too large, and if O-rings are used under the nuts on the outside, nuts should have a recessed groove to keep them from being squeezed out to the side. Getting rid of the molded in fittings is a big improvement, now finish the job, proper ones with Aero-Conversions red anodizing would look professional and make good lemonade out of these lemons.

David A.

[lpaaruule]

That's me too. I have a fuel tank sitting on my bench, and plan to install it in a few weeks. I had decided that I'd use fuel lube and just not overtighten the fittings, as Sonex had stated was the cause of the issues. I now feel I need to re-access the decision. So do I stay the course and not use the "oops" fittings, or do I modify my fuel tank, and risk ruining it, and needing to buy a new tank?

I guess if I were given the option of paying an extra $320 now to never have to remove a leaky tank, I'd pay the $320. So from that standpoint, I suppose it's worth the risk to try to "upgrade" my tank with "oops" fittings. Assuming that the "oops" fittings aren't included with the price of a new tank, I'd have to buy them anyway.

It sure would be nice if Sonex would give us a nice guy deal on "oops" fitting though. I'd also like them to offer or suggest a tool(s) for reliably removing the internal plastic ridge.