I started building my 12iS fuel tank the day after Van’s released this update, and immediately ordered the kit, but now I’m reconsidering… In the maintenance manual (rev 3.8), I see where it says that we’re to “clean & inspect [the] fuel tank finger strainer … one time per year” with a reference to page 3-8. Page 3-8 doesn’t talk about the strainer, but 3-10 is the only place where I found a mention of this: under “Coarse Fuel Tank Screen Removal,” step 5 says “Clean the screen and inspect same for breakage or separation from fitting.”
The service letter says this new port enables use of a borescope to inspect the screen, but couldn’t I feed that same borescope down the fuel inlet to accomplish the same thing, or does the geometry of the corner at the skin prevent that?
I don’t mind the extra work of installing this port, or the cost of the kit, but I’m concerned about another potential leak spot, especially right where the T-01233 tube will spray it with the returned fuel flow from the engine.
So, 12iS owners who’ve done a few condition inspections: if you were building your tank today, would you install this kit? Have you found crud requiring cleaning, and did you have to remove the tank to do it, or could you remove the screen fitting via the bottom-skin access panel?
Thanks!