GAS CAP Troubles!!!!!
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Paterson, NJ
97 MB E420 Sport
GAS CAP Troubles!!!!!
I have the wierdess problem i ever had since owner a car. I have a 97 E420 and the gas cap keeps getting stuck. My previous gas cap i had to pry off with pliers at the gas pump. So I went the dealer and purchased a brand new cap and the same thing has happen. I am so puzzled at this point as to what to do. Can the gas cap be adjusted I mean this problem just started happening out fo the blue. Please Help!!!!!
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
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From: Ohio
2000 E320
gas cap stuck
I have the same problem as the previous post. My gas cap turns but will not come off. I also purchased a new one from the dealer and it is stuck too. Any suggestions??? I need gas soon!!!!
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Joined: Apr 2007
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Won't turn
as in stuck?
Get a wrench on it to increase leverage.If it is the spin and click style you will need to stop the outer part from spinning freely of the inner part.Pulling hard while turning at times will prevent the rotation.
When you get it off examine the fill tube for damage or bent out of shape.That might be why a new cap is also repeatedly getting stuck.
Get a wrench on it to increase leverage.If it is the spin and click style you will need to stop the outer part from spinning freely of the inner part.Pulling hard while turning at times will prevent the rotation.
When you get it off examine the fill tube for damage or bent out of shape.That might be why a new cap is also repeatedly getting stuck.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
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From: Ohio
2000 E320
Bad fuel tank
Took my car to the dealer yesterday because my gas cap would not come off, kept spinning. I bought a new one and same problem. The dealer said I need to replace the entire tank. My car has a 1 piece unit...over $1200. Any alternative solutions?? What if we removed the white plastic ring from the inside of the cap??? They are not sure what is wrong with the neck of the tank just that it must be causing the problem.
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From: Lewes DE
'99 E320 4matic Wagon
That link doesn't seem to work -- i.e. doesn't take you directly to the part. I only find one fuel tank cap for a w210 at Peachparts, and it looks like the one on my vehicle, which is now stuck.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
The link works. Once you get to PeachParts, click on Fuel Delivery then on Fuel Tank Cap. As you mentioned there is only one shown. Try what Hirnbeiss suggested and get another style of cap (he said that is the different one). You might have to pry the old one off (screwdriver?) but be careful not to bend the tube it screws into. Before prying, if pulling while turning doesn't work, try pushing while turning.
Last edited by Musikmann; Dec 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: New England
2000 E 320S4 210.282 4Matic Estate
blackstarr777,
This one will solve your problem. I had the same issue and went through three different caps until I found this one from my indy. It's made by Blau, an original German made part. Dealer should have it. If not, you can get it online on the above posted link. Hope it helps.
Cheers
Cheers
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From: Lewes DE
'99 E320 4matic Wagon
Mine was stuck again -- still waiting on the replacement -- and I somehow managed to pry it off while the white plastic circular piece was in the closed position. I.e. -- then I couldn't put it back on!! Xmas day in a gas station... nice.
Eventually, using 3 screwdrivers and 2 people, I managed to get it back into open position, and put it back on -- part way (I hope) so that I can get it off again (I hope).
I did note that my cap is a Blau -- here's hoping the one I am waiting for (also a Blau) is the simple kind (I think that is what was illustrated).
What a ridiculous issue for a car to have, any car.
Eventually, using 3 screwdrivers and 2 people, I managed to get it back into open position, and put it back on -- part way (I hope) so that I can get it off again (I hope).
I did note that my cap is a Blau -- here's hoping the one I am waiting for (also a Blau) is the simple kind (I think that is what was illustrated).
What a ridiculous issue for a car to have, any car.
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From: Lewes DE
'99 E320 4matic Wagon
Clear and complete explanation of this problem -- and the solution -- on benzworld:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r170...ap-filler.html
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r170...ap-filler.html
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NY
2005 CL55 AMG, 2004 S430 4matic, 1988 560SL, PRIOR: 2000 E430 4matic, 1994 E320 Coupe, 1999 C43 AMG
Throw out the mercedes cap. Go with a Blau (all metal, no nylon) search for Blau 140 470 03 05 a bunch on ebay or at http://www.autopartsworld.com/merced...kcap/2000.html
Should be about $15USD...
Should be about $15USD...
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
alright.. here is a simple answer that will keep you guys (and gals) from having to go out to the stealership and buying another piece for the car.. You don't have to replace the gas cap.. Infact, your old cap is just fine.. When you remove the old gas cap, look inside the fuel filler neck (the hole where you put the gas into the car).. Just inside the metal ring you will see 2 metal tabs on either side of the opening.. More than likely these 2 tabs are bent back away from the opening and not catching your filler cap properly which is allowing the cap to spin. If you see these metal tabs are bent away from the center of the opening, take a small flat-head screwdriver and lightly pry them back towards the center of the opening. You want to make sure that you are aligning these tabs at a 90* angle from the opening and that's it.. Install the old cap (once you reset it, if it was spinning) and you are done..
If someone needs me to take pictures, just send me a message or reply here..
If someone needs me to take pictures, just send me a message or reply here..
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From: Lewes DE
'99 E320 4matic Wagon
Yes, that is pictured and explained as well in the Benzworld thread -- rather than pry metal, I'm replacing w/ the simpler gas cap, and certainly that would be my recommendation. I'd fear messing around w/ the filler tube.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
so instead of spending 2 minutes finding a screwdriver and doing it, you'd rather go to do the dealer and spend money that you don't have to.. this is exactly the reason the dealerships keep making money..
Member
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From: Lewes DE
'99 E320 4matic Wagon
No, it's not that -- glad you asked (not).
If you pry the metal back into position, you're not addressing the question why it got bent away from its position in the first place. It appears that *many* people have had this problem, indicating that the design of that cap and its interface w/ the tube may not be optimal.
There's also no *advantage* to the problematic cap -- i.e. it delivers no benefit over the other one.
There is also the issue of metal fatigue -- if the metal was bent away in the first place, it might well be more likely to bend away a second time.
Finally, I kind of doubt the dealership is licking their chops over my $15 gas cap purchase (in any case I didn't buy it from the dealer).
If you pry the metal back into position, you're not addressing the question why it got bent away from its position in the first place. It appears that *many* people have had this problem, indicating that the design of that cap and its interface w/ the tube may not be optimal.
There's also no *advantage* to the problematic cap -- i.e. it delivers no benefit over the other one.
There is also the issue of metal fatigue -- if the metal was bent away in the first place, it might well be more likely to bend away a second time.
Finally, I kind of doubt the dealership is licking their chops over my $15 gas cap purchase (in any case I didn't buy it from the dealer).
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, California
1998 E320 Wagon 253K miles
I have a 1998 E320 wagon that I've had for one year. The cap is the original (i'm assuming) Blau with the white plastic ring.
The car has 266K miles, and the cap has always felt weird tightening. I wasn't over-tightening, just trying to get it to seat firmly and it always took extra pressure. Also, it never made a clicking sound, maybe that was a symptom of it going bad. Conversely, the cap has always come off fairly easy.
Anyway, today I went to fill up and the cap would not come off, even with some good force behind it (i tried and the service attendant tried, no luck). He then brought over a flat-head screwdriver and I tried careful not to bend or break anything, still no luck.
Then he tried and when I turned away for a second, he had the cap in his hand. I guess he just used more force. Luckily the filler hole wasn't damaged.
(BTW, the cap's white plastic ring does not turn at all, not sure if it's supposed to).
Then I stopped by Napa parts on the way home and they had a replacement in stock, made in China, no plastic ring. I put it on and it takes only a 1/4 turn to tighten. It feels looser than the Blau and I wondered if they gave me the wrong one. But I looked up the part on the Napa website and it matches my car. I can live with the flimsier cap, knowing that at least it will come off!
This was really annoying because my key fob died only a week ago, and it cost $360 to replace at the dealer (MB doesn't let indies work on keys, the greedy *******s!)
Here's the Napa link, pick your poison:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Re...0044%2b2044117
The car has 266K miles, and the cap has always felt weird tightening. I wasn't over-tightening, just trying to get it to seat firmly and it always took extra pressure. Also, it never made a clicking sound, maybe that was a symptom of it going bad. Conversely, the cap has always come off fairly easy.
Anyway, today I went to fill up and the cap would not come off, even with some good force behind it (i tried and the service attendant tried, no luck). He then brought over a flat-head screwdriver and I tried careful not to bend or break anything, still no luck.
Then he tried and when I turned away for a second, he had the cap in his hand. I guess he just used more force. Luckily the filler hole wasn't damaged.
(BTW, the cap's white plastic ring does not turn at all, not sure if it's supposed to).
Then I stopped by Napa parts on the way home and they had a replacement in stock, made in China, no plastic ring. I put it on and it takes only a 1/4 turn to tighten. It feels looser than the Blau and I wondered if they gave me the wrong one. But I looked up the part on the Napa website and it matches my car. I can live with the flimsier cap, knowing that at least it will come off!
This was really annoying because my key fob died only a week ago, and it cost $360 to replace at the dealer (MB doesn't let indies work on keys, the greedy *******s!)
Here's the Napa link, pick your poison:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Re...0044%2b2044117
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
E320 Wagon
Gas Cap Stuck 1998 SLK230
Yep.. Same issue, brand new cap. Had to pry outward to remove it. Used the remove the white inner ring trick, has been working fine. Really bad design for a german car.
