Smok TFV4 is my most recent regrettable purchase

[absoluttalent]

I have not seen a whole lot of info so far about this new tank. But on a whim i bought one of the kits from my local BM shop.

And so far i am not impressed with it.
The kit itself does come with alot. Included an extra glass, 1x quad coil (looks like a dual vert), 1x tri vert coil, 1x rebuildable deck, 2x tank bands, 1x screw driver, 1x extra rubber insert for the topcap, some extra cotton.
instructions were poorly written in English.
The pre-coiled heads do require a 40w minimum to use, but really dont shine until 70w+
The airflow base does not close off completely (the airflow ring holes are spaced and sized so when "closed" there is still 2 small gaps on both edges)
The top swivel pin isnt secured and you can pull it off.

So i tried out the deck, made a ni200 coil, filled it up...... leaks like a 100 year old rusty sink. Ive tried placing extra cotton, filling it many different ways, tried closing off all openings except the fill port with tape. Nothing helped.

Upon closer inspection, it appears the juice goes past the deck's clear o-ring, and right through the threads. So as it stands now, appears the issue im having with the leaks either falls on threads not tight enough or o-ring not big enough. I wrapped the threads with some teflon (whether it stands up to the temp is another story) and it seems to have helped. But after it sits awhile, i get gurgling but still nothing in the base.

So what should I do with it? Return it to BM store? RMA though Smok's website? Chuck it?
Anyone else have any other options and opinions?

sorry if my post seems worded wierd and rambles a bit. little tired and drunk

 

[Daisychainvaper]

here is a thread where you can find some info. I had 2 leaking accidents too:

Smok TFV4 Sub Ohm Tank | Page 17 | E-Cigarette Forum

You have to screw everything tight together, then open the top, fill in the juice, quickly close it and start to vape so there is some negative pressure in the tank. That helped for me I guess. At least both of mine are ok now, but both lost ALL liquid within seconds on the first fill. I have not used the RBA deck so far, only the triple and quad coil heads.

Apart from that, this tank is so incredibly awesome (above or around 80W)

 

[Sevarin]

I got the tank 2 days ago and went straight to the RBA deck, which is the main reason I bought this tank. I had not had any leaking issues at all and it vapes great and I am probably on my 10th refill now. I hate to say it, but if it leaks it is usually user error.

I agree that you have to be quick when refilling because of the gap in the airflow control, but... I use one of the rubber bands as an additional security over the top fill. So when I refill I slide it down over the airflow, perfect.

 

[absoluttalent]

I hate to say it, but if it leaks it is usually user error

This is one of my gripes about this forum. Whenever there is an issue, this is the usual response.

I took the tank back to the store. Even the guy said the swivel top was really loose and the pin should not be removable like it was. Would not maintain pressure when closed
I wasnt the first one that had issues with it from them either. The store only had them for almost 3 weeks and they've had to exchange 2 other tanks with the same issue.

Just cleaned the new tank now, letting it dry. Gonna give it another shot in a few and hopefully it will be a better experience.

 

[absoluttalent]

ok, tried the new tank today. works good. Not great because of design flaws in the airflow ring, so filling is a pain the .... But its decent.
Filling you have to be quick, or have something to completely close the base off. The outer airflow ring holes are slightly oversized compared to the inner holes. So you cannot completely close it off. Once you start filling, you need to hurry and get that sucker closed and take a few primer draws to get that pressure going.
Had a few slight gurgles at first, but combination of paper towel stuck into the base to wick away any loose juice and constant drawing helped remove it.

I do like the wide open flow, and large juice channels. Plenty of room to work on the deck. I still think the top swivel couldve been designed better. If it works itself loose in a month or two, I will try to RMA it and hope for a V2

 

[Sevarin]

That's why I said "usually". Of course it can be a faulty device, which in your case sounds to me just like it. Glad you got it sorted out.
I use it on my device at the moment. I built a 3.5mm slightly spaced 26G coil in it (~ 1.0 Ohm) and happily vape on it on 40 Watts, no dry hits. I enjoy this tank a lot.

 

[IshbOO]

This is also my most regrettable "vape" purchase. This tank leaks through the threads going into the atomizer. I can't fill it up all the way. I cant hold it upside down. Sometimes it leaks out the top. The atomizers are big, messy, suck all my battery power, and my juice goes fast! They are more expensive than most. It's hard to take apart. The orings on the plastic glass are crappy and stick to the tank. The tank itself is not glass. The tank itself is a bit larger than most. Sticks out the sides of most mods. Some of my drip tips do not fit this tank.

The only thing I enjoy about this tank. Is the drip tip it comes with. And the RBA deck is alright.

I would highly recommend a different RBA tank. Maybe the Uwell Crown.

 

[chief63]

Got mine yesterday and been vaping mine on the the stock coil. Decent vape, no leaks while vaping. Woke up this morning and what was left in the tank had leaked out. Maybe the worse leak I've ever had. Messy...don't leave this tank sitting on your mod unattended. Will check the o-rings and such. Right now I'm wishing I didn't spend extra on various coils to go with it. Its early, but yeah, I think my Crown is superior with stock coils. Hoping for some success with the RBA because that is the one think I don't like about the Crown.

 

[MagnusEunson]

There has to be some variance in what's being shipped or fakes hit the market quickly .. because I have three of these and the only problem I've experienced is with fluid finicky in the quad-coil (anything about 70% VG works fine).

Otherwise:

• I don't have to close off the air holes to fill, I don't have to rush to re-close it, I actually take a moment to wipe the bottom of the swivel top, etc.
• I don't have leaking with the triple, quad, Ti (I don't like the performance on this one though), or the standard rebuildable deck. The only leaking I have is when I go below 70% VG on the quad or when I messed up a wick once on the rebuildable.
• The swivel top on all three of mine are secure and fit and finish is fine

I do have ONE o-ring that seemed a bit warped, SMOK could do better there ..

I did have one glass break during tightening, I think the glass needs improvement ..

I'm wondering how many variations are shipping because the TFV4 has been a love / hate thing with so many people. The problems do exist, they're not imagined .. -Mags

 

[ThunderDan]

Seems they fixed the airflow ring in later batches, I have one, S/N 8000 something, and it closes completly without gaps.

That said, I don't need to close it to refill, I've only used the single coil RBA, and had no leaking.

Even though I haven't had any problems with it, or even tried the stock coils, I don't really care for it.

 

[GeorgeS]

Wow, just wow.

Smok must have some QA issues or (as someone else mentioned) there are fakes hitting the market.

I ordered a Black one from Fasttech back in August along with 2x each of their RBA. FT quickly put the tank on back order and I finally got the RBA's yesterday. While the RBA's were driving me nuts without anything to install them in, I grabbed a non-discounted TFV4 at a local B&M.

Other than they came with it (and I figure that I better use the darned things to "get my moneys worth") it is rather doubtful that I'll ever use the coils that came with it.

I've built up both my TF-R2's, one with 10 wraps of 26AWG Ti on 2.5mm and the other the same with 28AWG. I'll have to say, I'm not a fan of the screws they give you, attempting to capture just one let alone TWO 28AWG leads under a screw head is a real challenge.

On the RBA's Smok gave us very large juice channels and a 'gutter' to boot! I just wicked and trimmed to the gutter and called it good. Since I was using spaced coils I had no worries of hot spots. I vaped ~ 1/4 tank on the 1st build and swapped in the 2nd and filled er up. No leaks so far.

Again it would appear that Smok has some quality issues as a few hours into using the TFV4 I'm pleased with the purchase. I must of gotten lucky.

 

[TwiSteD1504]

I just bought a TFV4, been loving it all day, been through about 10ml of juice though lol, I haven't had any leaking issues, nor do I suspect it is fake, the quality of the item is in line with the X cube 2 I use. But I have been onto the authenticity checker and my code returned a questionable result, I have emailed Smok regarding this and hope to hear back soon, but it has to be said that this tank performs! I'm blown away, I love the look of the RTA, and look forward to building for it.

I will come back to this thread and let you know what I hear from Smok.

It's also relevant to say that I believe my vendor to be distributing genuine products.

 

[Stinkytofus]

Make sure glass tank is snug, then screw coil in base snug then screw everything together snug, should be no leaks.....

 

[AdubbaU]

I can't say I regret the purchase, been doing this for a while and don't consider myself a beginner. Not interested in the high priced fancy coils, the rba deck oring does sometimes pitch and cause leaks. I find the tank hit or miss. Might get a build where I wonder why I am not using more often, then 2-3 that put it back in drawr. Ordered the R2 deck hoping for improvement.

Broke 2 glass pieces due to top oring, idk hit or miss.

Sent from my unknown using Tapatalk

 

[AdubbaU]

Tried second dual coil pre-built had laying around on TFV4, must say I am impressed as well as concerned. Have it at 80w with 140w preheat at 520 degrees, seems like it wants more power but flavor and production on point. Should have my dual rba deck today/tomorrow.

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[nostradadus]

I wouldn't say it's a total drag, but I have had a mighty issue with wicking the TF-RCA or single coil deck properly; just not used to the huge juice channels quite yet. Eventually I'll hit on the right amount of cotton for the build; just takes time and perseverance. Til then, I use my least fav DIY juice for practice and have lots of paper towels handy!

 

[Stinkytofus]

make sure your cotton is wicked, then carefully cut it so that the cotton goes into the juice channel and below the deck, then screw in the cap, THEN make sure all your o-rings are in place and THEN screw it in snug, should be ZERO leaks, my first build i put too little cotton in the juice channel and it leaked whenever i placed it sideways, now? perfecto

 

[nostradadus]

make sure your cotton is wicked, then carefully cut it so that the cotton goes into the juice channel and below the deck, then screw in the cap, THEN make sure all your o-rings are in place and THEN screw it in snug, should be ZERO leaks, my first build i put too little cotton in the juice channel and it leaked whenever i placed it sideways, now? perfecto

Took another shot at getting the TF-RCA wicking right tonight; so far, so good. Just took the time to make sure the cotton was not too much or not too little.

However, the more I think about those tiny, fragile little O-rings on which the atomizer head seats onto the bottom portion of the unit.....I feel this will be an issue one day soon. And I can't say I've seen a vendor selling a bag of those O-rings lately. Thank goodness I got a couple of other atty heads with the kit I purchased.....at least I have 2 spare O-rings for now.

 

[Wruff]

, my first build i put too little cotton in the juice channel and it leaked whenever i placed it sideways, now? perfecto

Me too. My first attempt on this tank was a horrible leaking mess. I've got the wicking dialed in since and it's awesome.

 

[Stinkytofus]

Hmm i tried many variations of wicking, it seems to want to randomly leak whenever it wants to... i have tried stuffing it with cotton, halfway, blocked it with cotton and leave a tail under... Leaks ...