Darkmann

2001 E430, 7,200K Miles: Great car and I can't get myself to stop taking the long way to the grocery store!!! Yesterday, I filled up but noticd that the gage only went up to about 7/8 tank. i thought it was my fault. So today, I went back, filled up 'till the gas pump nozzle would not stop cutting off. the gage stayed about 7/8th the way. So I drove 4 miles to the enxt station and tried ti "fill" up the tank. I could only muster $0.07 after several nozzle clicks. Why is this happening now, after 6,500 miles of nearly trouble free driving? What the #$@!'s going on?

vinmanc32

It was with a different car but the problem turned out to be the cars reaction to the oxygenated gas. Your state may not be using it but a few years back in NJ they started using it in gas from the months of Nov thru about Mar or Apr. This caused havoc in my tank and the air made the sensor think the tank was filled. I had only 3/4 showing on the gauge. I think it also caused some emmissions problems which have ultimately been corrected. Since they stopped adding it to the gas, I have not noticed the problem. Not sure if this is what you are experiencing but check and see if your state is using that type of gas for the winter.

Darkmann

Thanks vinmanc32. I now live in MD (Syracuse, NY, 5yrs ago) and I am not sure when the O2 gas kicks in here. When I lived in NY, I know that it caused havoc on some vehicles. I will check to confirm. I wonder if other MB owners in MD have same experience as I do. Once again thanks and have a great X-mas.

sosh

Whats going on?? Fuel tank sending unit most likely failed. Same thing that happened to my E320 4Matic last week at 6000 miles. Mine goes to a needle width above 3/4 and thats all. Had a similar problem with the ML320 (98) that I had. It seems to be a common problem with MB and for that matter with other European cars. Warranty will take care of it.

Darkmann

Thanks Sosh. As soon as I have time, I'll take it in.

richardk

It is a failed fuel sending unit, Happened to me and others in Florida. It is due to additives in the gas. They changed mine to fix the problem at about 4K miles. I am now upto 10K miles and it has not come back. It has come back on some people. Maybe MB finally got a unit that is immune to the additive.

Just one more note. Do not over top the fuel. It can create havoc on the emmisions system and cause the car to shut down. You will then have to take it in to correct that problem as well.