Smok TFV12-T12 Leak (RESOLVED)

chilling · May 9, 2017

Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by.

I've had my new vape set-up for about 4 days now.
(Smok TFV12 tank with a Limitless Mod Co Arms Race Box Mod)

It's my very first vape ever, and although I planned on taking extremely good care of it; the Smok TFV12-T12 tank has leaked twice now, thus ruining my plan.

The leak seems to be coming from the airflow located at the very bottom of the tank, and it's leaking liquid from the tank somehow.

I noticed that this happened after I filled up the tank and I have a picture of the first leak

but the second leak which happened a few hours ago was so bad that I had to clean it asap because it was running down the side of the mod.

Sorry for the iPhone quality photos, but you can see the reflection from the liquid that is still currently in the airflow reservoir under the tank.

This entire time i've owned the vape, I have never placed it on it's side or dropped it. I leave it sitting upright at all times and it has stayed in my room at room temperature, never in direct sunlight. I don't want to turn this into a rant, but as a first time vaper this is really discouraging and I cringe at my vape now because there are juice stains in areas I can't reach for cleaning.

Has anyone out there had similar issues with the TFV12 tanks or has heard of this issue? The vape shop set it up for me and it was working perfectly fine, but it leaks for a bit then stops.

I plan on going back to the vape shop to see what they can do to help me, but in the mean time I would appreciate any replies, thanks in advance.

VintageModMan · May 9, 2017

Are you using a premade factory coil or are you using the rba that came with the tfv12?

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chilling · May 9, 2017

VintageModMan said:
Are you using a premade factory coil or are you using the rba that came with the tfv12?

It was the one that came with the TFV12, the V12-T12.

VintageModMan · May 9, 2017

Okay just wanted to check because the tfv8 and tfv12 the cotton has to be the right consistency or it will gush out of the air flow. As far as the factory coils. Have you tried a different coil? My first tfv8 premade factory coil I tried leaked so bad I swapped it out and it was golden just a bad seal on the coil a shop will normally swap those out for you.

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chilling · May 9, 2017

VintageModMan said:
Okay just wanted to check because the tfv8 and tfv12 the cotton has to be the right consistency or it will gush out of the air flow. As far as the factory coils. Have you tried a different coil? My first tfv8 premade factory coil I tried leaked so bad I swapped it out and it was golden just a bad seal on the coil a shop will normally swap those out for you.

Yeah as far as I know, it's all factory new. I haven't tried a different coil, I was planning on using this current T12 until the time came to switch it out; so like a month? I kind of don't want to go through that process cause I just put liquid in and it's just going to be a huge mess lol. I plan on taking a trip back to the vape shop to see if they can offer me a replacement or fix. It just hit me so off-guard, since I always looked at Smok as a highly respectable brand.

So do you think the shop would fix it or do you think they'd make me get in touch with Smok directly?

VintageModMan · May 9, 2017

I think if you have a reliable shop they will replace the coil for you because it's bad from the factory and Smok is a great company however it doesn't mean they are perfect. Maybe I'm more forgiving because I worked in manufactoring and production for 6 years. You will get bad eggs in a batch no matter how good you quality control is.

I would recommend even if its a Hassel change your coil and see if the other one leaks because if it doesn't that will give you a clear indication that it's the tank and not the coils (clean the tank after you switch you don't want left over juice coming out that ruins the test) if you have a good vape shop they most definitely with replace your tank.

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chilling · May 9, 2017

VintageModMan said:
I think if you have a reliable shop they will replace the coil for you because it's bad from the factory and Smok is a great company however it doesn't mean they are perfect. Maybe I'm more forgiving because I worked in manufactoring and production for 6 years. You will get bad eggs in a batch no matter how good you quality control is.

I would recommend even if its a Hassel change your coil and see if the other one leaks because if it doesn't that will give you a clear indication that it's the tank and not the coils (clean the tank after you switch you don't want left over juice coming out that ruins the test) if you have a good vape shop they most definitely with replace your tank.

Oh wow that's cool, and yeah i'm totally understanding of how mass production works. There's always going to be a few bad products that make it through to the consumer. I'll visit the shop, when I was there I seen them replace someone else's coil so hopefully they'll do the same for me. After that if the problem persists then I will change it out. Hopefully you'll still be around so you could help me do that, I seriously don't know what i'm doing haha.

Thanks for your help man, I appreciate it a lot.

VintageModMan · May 9, 2017

Your welcome! As long as you have a good vape shop they should be more than willing to walk you through how to do everything untill you get it. If they laugh at you and are dicks chances are you need a different shop. You will find tons of help here on EFC lots of great people. I'll be here

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chilling · May 9, 2017

VintageModMan said:
Your welcome! As long as you have a good vape shop they should be more than willing to walk you through how to do everything untill you get it. If they laugh at you and are dicks chances are you need a different shop. You will find tons of help here on EFC lots of great people. I'll be here

Thanks dude! Yeah I will just try my best to get them to replace it, there's tons of shops in my area. Might save me a little gas too since there's closer shops nearby, if I need to drop them. Seriously though, thanks for the taking the time to help a newb out. You are appreciated! Have a good one!

PvPHoe · May 9, 2017

Hello everyone!

I recently switched over to a SMOK vape setup (bought 1x SMOK Alien 220w, and 3x TFV12 Tanks - in gold/stainless/7-color). I followed a video on how to prime and fill properly, and after coming back to it 30mins later, my juice had completely drained out of the air holes at the bottom.

I took it all apart and I didnt seem to find anywhere where anything was damaged, I have no idea what I've done wrong but the juice just keeps leaking (out of the pre-installed T12-V12 coil). Going to try out one of the spares (Q4 with the lightning bolts probably) tonight, hoping that it was just a bad coil or something.

VintageModMan · May 9, 2017

PvPHoe said:
Hello everyone!

I recently switched over to a SMOK vape setup (bought 1x SMOK Alien 220w, and 3x TFV12 Tanks - in gold/stainless/7-color). I followed a video on how to prime and fill properly, and after coming back to it 30mins later, my juice had completely drained out of the air holes at the bottom.

I took it all apart and I didnt seem to find anywhere where anything was damaged, I have no idea what I've done wrong but the juice just keeps leaking (out of the pre-installed T12-V12 coil). Going to try out one of the spares (Q4 with the lightning bolts probably) tonight, hoping that it was just a bad coil or something.

More than likely a bad coil. I remember on the TFV8 every once and awhile you would get a seal that the wires were poking out of and you could just tuck them In and you were golden. I really want a TFV12 I've heard good things. Good luck guys.

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PvPHoe · May 10, 2017

My review on the TFV12 is below:

TFV12 Honest Review

Carl2 · May 10, 2017

I have the RBA edition of the TFV12 since I don't like having to put in new atomizers. No problems with it so far, I actually prefer the TFV8, another RBA setup since the 12 is a bit much for me.
I've seen a few people having problems with the TFV8 having leaking problems also. You could try YouTube for Leaking Smok TFV12, there are lots of vids on the TFV8 leaking.

PvPHoe · May 10, 2017

Ya i looked up all those tutorials to stop leaking and such. My problem ended up being 8/9 coils that came in my TFV12s (i bought 3 packs - gold/stainless/7-color, each box had 3 coils inside) were defective and couldnt be used. The grounding wires at the bottom of the coil where the seal is had damaged the seal/were pushing up on the seal, thus it leaked through there. After searching through my 3 boxes, I found 1x V12-X4 which had no grounding wires sticking out of the seal, and not to my suprise, it was the only one that didnt leak (still hasnt leaked over 12hours later). Thus, it leads me to believe that the coils were my issue (specifically the grounding wires that were pretruding from my seal/that damage my seal).

Going back to the vape shop I bought it at today as I have 8 useless coils. He said he would replace them all for free as it was my first purchase at the shop, and because I had purchased a big order. Hoping the replacement coils dont have the same manufacturing defect as the ones I recieved in my boxes or I will be one unhappy customer of SMOK. Should all my new coils look like the one that I have installed now thats not leaking, then I will be the happiest vaper on the planet. I absolutely love my TFV12 and have nothing bad to say about it (as long as its not leaking).

Will keep everyone updated on how many replacement coils turn out to look like.

chilling · May 10, 2017

PvPHoe said:
Ya i looked up all those tutorials to stop leaking and such. My problem ended up being 8/9 coils that came in my TFV12s (i bought 3 packs - gold/stainless/7-color, each box had 3 coils inside) were defective and couldnt be used. The grounding wires at the bottom of the coil where the seal is had damaged the seal/were pushing up on the seal, thus it leaked through there. After searching through my 3 boxes, I found 1x V12-X4 which had no grounding wires sticking out of the seal, and not to my suprise, it was the only one that didnt leak (still hasnt leaked over 12hours later). Thus, it leads me to believe that the coils were my issue (specifically the grounding wires that were pretruding from my seal/that damage my seal).

Going back to the vape shop I bought it at today as I have 8 useless coils. He said he would replace them all for free as it was my first purchase at the shop, and because I had purchased a big order. Hoping the replacement coils dont have the same manufacturing defect as the ones I recieved in my boxes or I will be one unhappy customer of SMOK. Should all my new coils look like the one that I have installed now thats not leaking, then I will be the happiest vaper on the planet. I absolutely love my TFV12 and have nothing bad to say about it (as long as its not leaking).

Will keep everyone updated on how many replacement coils turn out to look like.

Yeah I think it is the wiring, or something sticking out of the bottom. I was watching it as it dripped through the airflow, and since I posted this thread it has leaked twice. It seems to be when I move the vape around, like sudden bumps or when I pick it up.

This morning I had it sitting straight and firm in my center console and when I pulled it out and started to vape on it while driving it leaked over my hand. Just got home and cleaned my mod, it's so frustrating. Here are pictures, you can see the liquid residue all inside the airflow.

Sorry for the iPhone quality pictures, but if you look at the red rubber inside the airflow you can see how it's bulging out. It's really hard to see even in the flesh but the way the rubber doesn't grip around equally is noticeable.

PvPHoe · May 10, 2017

Yup, this is EXACTLY what was happening to me, those pictures you took look exactly how mine did when I found dripping.

Since finding one without the wires sticking out and installing it, I've yet to see a single drip. My red rubber seal looks 100% flush and I can see nothing stick out when looking through my air hole. I have got to confirm that this must be the problem. After multiple refills, keeping the air holes open all night, playing soccer with it in my hand as I ran around, still not even a single drop or leak.

On your next coil install, do not put it in unless you see that red ring 100% flush through the airholes, and also make sure no wires are sticking out. 5 coils failed me and leaked due to the above, and the ONLY COIL i had that didnt have any wires/bumps/damage to that ring, was the ONLY COIL that didnt fail. This cannot be a coincidence.

Going shortly to go see how the replacement TFV12 coils look, hopefully they dont have a bunch of wires sticking out as well, i will be extremely disappointed.

chilling · May 10, 2017

PvPHoe said:
Yup, this is EXACTLY what was happening to me, those pictures you took look exactly how mine did when I found dripping.

Since finding one without the wires sticking out and installing it, I've yet to see a single drip. My red rubber seal looks 100% flush and I can see nothing stick out when looking through my air hole. I have got to confirm that this must be the problem. After multiple refills, keeping the air holes open all night, playing soccer with it in my hand as I ran around, still not even a single drop or leak.

On your next coil install, do not put it in unless you see that red ring 100% flush through the airholes, and also make sure no wires are sticking out. 5 coils failed me and leaked due to the above, and the ONLY COIL i had that didnt have any wires/bumps/damage to that ring, was the ONLY COIL that didnt fail. This cannot be a coincidence.

Going shortly to go see how the replacement TFV12 coils look, hopefully they dont have a bunch of wires sticking out as well, i will be extremely disappointed.

I figured it had to be that way for airflow or something but I guess the rubber is suppose to wrap around it perfectly with no uneven points. I went into the vape shop I got it from last night but they didn't give me the right coil, which is the TFV12-T12, they gave me a replacement for the V12-Q4. I'll have to go back and see if I can give it back to get the correct one and maybe get them to install it for me. It definitely seems to be a manufacturing issue.

VintageModMan · May 10, 2017

PvPHoe said:
Ya i looked up all those tutorials to stop leaking and such. My problem ended up being 8/9 coils that came in my TFV12s (i bought 3 packs - gold/stainless/7-color, each box had 3 coils inside) were defective and couldnt be used. The grounding wires at the bottom of the coil where the seal is had damaged the seal/were pushing up on the seal, thus it leaked through there. After searching through my 3 boxes, I found 1x V12-X4 which had no grounding wires sticking out of the seal, and not to my suprise, it was the only one that didnt leak (still hasnt leaked over 12hours later). Thus, it leads me to believe that the coils were my issue (specifically the grounding wires that were pretruding from my seal/that damage my seal).

Going back to the vape shop I bought it at today as I have 8 useless coils. He said he would replace them all for free as it was my first purchase at the shop, and because I had purchased a big order. Hoping the replacement coils dont have the same manufacturing defect as the ones I recieved in my boxes or I will be one unhappy customer of SMOK. Should all my new coils look like the one that I have installed now thats not leaking, then I will be the happiest vaper on the planet. I absolutely love my TFV12 and have nothing bad to say about it (as long as its not leaking).

Will keep everyone updated on how many replacement coils turn out to look like.

Wow 8 of them. that's insane. I've only ran into like 2 before and even then you can take a small screwdriver and tuck the wires under the seal.

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chilling · May 10, 2017

VintageModMan said:
Wow 8 of them. that's insane. I've only ran into like 2 before and even then you can take a small screwdriver and tuck the wires under the seal.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

You resolved the issue man, kudos to you. It's that wire or whatever it is sticking out of the rubber.

PvPHoe · May 10, 2017

I feel like I was the one who said that stupid wire sticking out of the rubber

but anyways, never really thought about pushing them back in. Still going to take them to the vape shop today, and they can do something about it. 8/9 coils with this issue is terrible, dunno if I just got unlucky, or if SMOK just doesnt have the best coils sent out with the TFV12's.

Going to my vape shop shortly, they will be giving me new coils to replace these defective ones. Will let you know if the coils sold seperately also have this issue of the wires sticking out

Smok TFV12-T12 Leak (RESOLVED)

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