A320
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
General Maintenance Action
MEL; Procedure; Aircraft
I operated Aircraft X with MEL for the left outer tank transfer valve inoperative in the open position; allowing left outer tank fuel to drain into the left inner wing tank after refueling. This [type of] MEL [is] applicable for ten calendar days.MEL was first applied in ZZZ on [Day 1]; then tested in ZZZ1 and the MEL removes on [Day 3.]On [Day 4]; in ZZZ2; the aircraft was written up after flight due to the left outer tank fuel draining into the inner tank. Again; it was reset and Ops checked good. On the same day in ZZZ2; the next flight crew wrote up the left outer tank fuel draining into the inner tank after refueling. This time; [two other related MELs] were applied; but the MEL specifies that these only apply if the outer to inner transfer tank valves are 'inoperative closed'; which clearly is not the case. These MELs were active through [Day 12] in ZZZ3; when the left and right [fuel indicators] were [addressed] and both MELs cleared.After the next flight on [Day 12] from ZZZ3; the aircraft was again written up for left outer tank fuel draining to the inner tank after refueling. Again; the valves were reset and Ops checked good.On [Day 14] in ZZZ4; the same writeup occurred after refueling. Another flight crew took the aircraft that day; and wrote up the left outer tank fuel transferring to the inner tank after refueling. [The first MEL] was again applied; and still active when I accepted the aircraft on [Day 17.]This aircraft has been operating for 17 calendar days since the original MEL was applied on [Day 1]; without effective repairs that the MEL Deferral program requires. Again and again; resets are performed to limp the aircraft along on the next flight without performing the correct repair that will fix this issue. This is against the spirit and intent of the MEL program and should not be tolerated.
A320 pilot reported the MEL for a malfunctioning fuel cross feed system was reset several times with repairs being continuously pushed to later dates.