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So winter is fast approaching and last year my fuel door would let snow/water in and freeze the gas cap shut. I would literally have to carry a small rag go in the gas station use hot water to open it.
I know I can buy some sort of spray that will not let the metal freeze around the cap. I just wanted to know if there's any seals you guys use or if you guys have the same issues. I don't want any water getting in there anymore.
Do all you guys park outside all winter? I park in a garage that isn't heated and I have never had my gas cap freeze. Not on the Mercedes nor any car I have ever owned. Even parking inside overnight I still park outisde in the elements during the day while at work in all kinds of weather and that has never happened. I take my car through the car wash a lot in winter as I have one of those monthly plans and the filler door or the gas cap has never froze. There must be some kind commonality between you guys that this happens. I would think if this was something very widespread we would get tons of posts about it every year when the snow starts flying.
I don't know that I would want to stick any kind of soft closed cell foam seal around the filler door as you don't want to put much pressure on it as then it might not lock in place, or worse yet, would be too tight to unlock. Then you would really have an issue.
Do all you guys park outside all winter? I park in a garage that isn't heated and I have never had my gas cap freeze. Not on the Mercedes nor any car I have ever owned. Even parking inside overnight I still park outisde in the elements during the day while at work in all kinds of weather and that has never happened. I take my car through the car wash a lot in winter as I have one of those monthly plans and the filler door or the gas cap has never froze. There must be some kind commonality between you guys that this happens. I would think if this was something very widespread we would get tons of posts about it every year when the snow starts flying.
I don't know that I would want to stick any kind of soft closed cell foam seal around the filler door as you don't want to put much pressure on it as then it might not lock in place, or worse yet, would be too tight to unlock. Then you would really have an issue.
Lol it's called outdoor parking...not too complicated of a concept
Most of us in our area have garages and at the very least driveways (which doesn't apply in this situation) compared to other places in the US where houses don't always have garages or even driveways, that's why he said that.
I have 2 other cars in the garage so the benzo gets to take the abuse outside.
Ok, I just realized something. Marko has been saying fuel DOOR, I've been saying gas cap...not the same thing. Mine is worse I think but either way we're screwed.
Anyways, I was washing my car before it gets to be 30 degrees (F) tomorrow, and I got to the cas cap, and I figured, hm, let's see how much water gets in.
a LOT.
And then I took off the cap, and you can see how much got around the ring THERE as well (on the black plastic). On the bottom of the metal ring, you can see where water builds up, and I remember seeing this in winter.
Now, water IS supposed to be able to get into this I guess because it doesn't affect anything ((supposedly)) and as you can see there's even a drain hole at bottom left of the gas ring.
Last edited by Adi-Benz; Oct 10, 2019 at 08:26 PM.
Ok, I just realized something. Marko has been saying fuel DOOR, I've been saying gas cap...not the same thing. Mine is worse I think but either way we're screwed.
Anyways, I was washing my car before it gets to be 30 degrees (F) tomorrow, and I got to the cas cap, and I figured, hm, let's see how much water gets in.
a LOT.
And then I took off the cap, and you can see how much got around the ring THERE as well (on the black plastic). On the bottom of the metal ring, you can see where water builds up, and I remember seeing this in winter.
Now, water IS supposed to be able to get into this I guess because it doesn't affect anything ((supposedly)) and as you can see there's even a drain hole at bottom left of the gas ring.
the same thing happens to me its a mess, now that my wife took over the W204 duty I'm worried about this more so than when i drove it.
I have never heard of such a thing, let alone experienced it...
My w203 never has had water there...
Gas Cap:
Anyway. Perhaps start by replacing the blue seal, I change mine every couple years...
Then perhaps look to add a thin layer of never seize or other lubricant/barrier...
Door:
Lastly, and I’m not sure how much compression there is, or what/if any compromise this would do to the release/lock mechanism...
is to add more of a seal on the door...You’d have to decide on thickness...
So I bought that 3m D seal as well as lock lube and de-icer. I installed it yesterday, it hasn't been that cold and the water was already icing over.
Canadian tire was selling a small bottle for 2$ I just applied it with a cotton swab so nothing gets in the gas tank. The seal does not affect closing the gas tank lid.
I got the D seal on Amazon, you can buy it in 1,3,10+ foot increments. I got the 3 feet just in case I need more.
I just hope the glue on the D seal holds it didn't seem strong, I think it's an age thing I might go to homedepot and buy new 3m tape if it gives out.
If you haven't already done so, make sure you clean the surface you apply the seal to with some kind of solvent like nail polish remover to make sure there is NOTHING on the surface, like old wax or anything. Otherwise it will start to fall off once it gets colder. I used to use that kind of adhesive in my former job and it still extremely well if the mating surface is perfectly clean.
I was thinking more like window foam seal rather than the D ring
Originally Posted by Alfadude
If you haven't already done so, make sure you clean the surface you apply the seal to with some kind of solvent like nail polish remover to make sure there is NOTHING on the surface, like old wax or anything. Otherwise it will start to fall off once it gets colder. I used to use that kind of adhesive in my former job and it still extremely well if the mating surface is perfectly clean.
Ya that's my back up if this doesn't work it's supposed to rain this week so I'll see if water gets in.
Yes I used alcohol to clean it and apply it I put in a complaint with the shipper, they said they would send me the shipment again with "better" tape lol so I'll see in a few days how that goes.
If it doesn't rain I'm going to go to a car wash and see how well it holds. Like the pictures above a lot of water would get in not as much as the photos but enough to cause icing.
I'll keep you guys updated and try to snap some photos for you guys before and after a car wash.
I guess I'll update this, it's still letting water in lol! Not even close to what it was before but just enough to make a little ice on that metal lip. The d seal had to be cut to fit so it's not perfect and there basically no room for it, I cleaned the drain hole I sprayed silicone grease on it but I think I'm going to have to go buy thick grease that will stay in that spot. Something like this picture.
guys i called a few local dealers they said they have never seen that problem(talking to parts desk guys) but talking to one he mentioned the only way water can get in is the "recess flap" part number "A2047500103" it attaches to the door and the filler neck.
its $120 new at the dealer.
we came to the guess that this is the culprit, the part should be water tight if water gets in the drain at the bottom should filter out the rest of the water. I think im going to get this part and see if its the issue, theres a few 2014's at the junk yard i could probably get it used for $50 but not sure if it would work.
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