URGENT: NHTSA Opens investigation into fuel leaks on the W211 E Class
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina, US
'06 E500, '99 ML430 and '07 SL65
For a recall the price for the parts will probably be around $200 (maybe even less) and they buy hours at the dealer at cost +10% which is about $40/hour.
So to fix this it is less that $500/car. Also keep in mind that the $3000 is amount of hours per the book. A skilled tech can do this work in much less time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Yeah there is no way that this should REALLY cost $3000 to fix, in reality we're talking about something that is a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousand. They can fix it for cheaper if they want to, but part of a car company's revenue comes from out-of-warranty repairs so they pass the cost off to us. Very good point sgaar.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
I recently changed my leaking sending unit at an INDY. After it was changed, could not fill up all the way to get a full tank. He lined it up correctly and made sure fuel float was not snagged somewhere. I went back to him with a nearly empty tank to check the problem, he opened both sides and found driver (sending unit) side was nearly empty, and passenger (fuel pump) side was nearly full. He was not sure what was going on, so he put everything back together and now I fill it up with 18 gallons only for a full tank, not 21. I guess it's something I have to learn to live with. At least the leak and odor of gasoline are gone.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
I have the '06 and it leak like crazy if I fill up all the way so I believe the CDI also has this problem
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 250
Likes: 19
From: Orange County
2004 W211 E55 AMG
so ive read through all these posts and im confused, what in the world am I looking for? I can fill my tank up all the way, I cant smell gas (I think) , anything else I should look for?
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
W211
sooo... my emissions are up this month. This leak is giving me a check engine light for evap leak, i assume this will cause me to fail my emissions.
what are people doing to get their car to pass emissions? even when i reset the light it comes back on pretty quickly. before it would take some time but now it comes back almost right away. i was talking to the guys at autohaus in Arizona and they said because i don't leak outside of the car only get the interior gas smell that i could try putting some caulking/sealer to try and stop the leak. any thoughts on this idea?
appreciate any help, i wasn't aware i was going to have to do emissions this month and now i'm worried i won't get this sorted out in time.
what are people doing to get their car to pass emissions? even when i reset the light it comes back on pretty quickly. before it would take some time but now it comes back almost right away. i was talking to the guys at autohaus in Arizona and they said because i don't leak outside of the car only get the interior gas smell that i could try putting some caulking/sealer to try and stop the leak. any thoughts on this idea?
appreciate any help, i wasn't aware i was going to have to do emissions this month and now i'm worried i won't get this sorted out in time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 12
From: The Granite State
.
sooo... my emissions are up this month. This leak is giving me a check engine light for evap leak, i assume this will cause me to fail my emissions.
what are people doing to get their car to pass emissions? even when i reset the light it comes back on pretty quickly. before it would take some time but now it comes back almost right away. i was talking to the guys at autohaus in Arizona and they said because i don't leak outside of the car only get the interior gas smell that i could try putting some caulking/sealer to try and stop the leak. any thoughts on this idea?
appreciate any help, i wasn't aware i was going to have to do emissions this month and now i'm worried i won't get this sorted out in time.
what are people doing to get their car to pass emissions? even when i reset the light it comes back on pretty quickly. before it would take some time but now it comes back almost right away. i was talking to the guys at autohaus in Arizona and they said because i don't leak outside of the car only get the interior gas smell that i could try putting some caulking/sealer to try and stop the leak. any thoughts on this idea?
appreciate any help, i wasn't aware i was going to have to do emissions this month and now i'm worried i won't get this sorted out in time.
You could try some JBweld or Loc-Tite or some other brand of epoxy that is specifically designed for fuel contact. Make sure your tank is below 3/4 full.....clean those areas as completely as possible then flood those areas with the epoxy. I'd leave the fuel cap off while it's curing to prevent internal pressure for the tank from messing up the seal.
The problem is that if you dump a bunch of epoxy on those senders you could create a real headache for yourself when you finally go to fix things properly...
-G
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 12
From: The Granite State
.
If it seals correctly then it will resolve the codes for "small evap leak"...
Not sure what specific codes you've got.
Correct solution is to replace the senders completely, that way you also get a new fuel filter (which is required maintenance anyway at 60,000 miles)... But the epoxy trick might band-aid things temporarily.
-G
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
E350
I keep reading... "I have the '06 and it leak like crazy if I fill up all the way..."
I read on mine that it says "Do not top off" so once the pump stops, that is all that I put in. I don't think I have a problem.
I read on mine that it says "Do not top off" so once the pump stops, that is all that I put in. I don't think I have a problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix by way of Texas
2003 E55 AMG
You could try some JBweld or Loc-Tite or some other brand of epoxy that is specifically designed for fuel contact. Make sure your tank is below 3/4 full.....clean those areas as completely as possible then flood those areas with the epoxy. I'd leave the fuel cap off while it's curing to prevent internal pressure for the tank from messing up the seal.
The problem is that if you dump a bunch of epoxy on those senders you could create a real headache for yourself when you finally go to fix things properly...
-G
The problem is that if you dump a bunch of epoxy on those senders you could create a real headache for yourself when you finally go to fix things properly...
-G
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Belle Plaine, MN
2003 E500 Sport
I can't believe this issue has been going on this long and still nothing.
Once I get my old E500 back, which had this issue (presumably still does), I'll be filling out the NHTSA forms. I don't want to do it until I for sure have the car back in my possession.
Once I get my old E500 back, which had this issue (presumably still does), I'll be filling out the NHTSA forms. I don't want to do it until I for sure have the car back in my possession.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
2013 450 gl
never again
We will never again buy a Mercedes.. The service dept. At Fletcher Jones Motorcars of Newport Beach treated us like Cra P . and Mercedes corporate are a bunch of Idiots. They can keep their over priced plastic cars.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
2006 E350, 2011 Land Rover LR4, 2010 Toyota Tacoma
Filled out the NHTSA forms today
I REALLY hope something comes of this and the cars are recalled. I can't even park the car in the garage because the gas smell is so strong.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C230 Kompressor, E430, E500, ML550,
Signed up
Just joined this threads list of E500 owners with strong gas smell.
Filed my complaint with the NHTSA
The smell is so strong that I simply can't leave it in the garage anymore. The car now sits outside getting beat down by the weather.
Filed my complaint with the NHTSA
The smell is so strong that I simply can't leave it in the garage anymore. The car now sits outside getting beat down by the weather.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
E320
Dammit! I read this from time to time after posting on this thread months ago. Guys it may not be the sending unit. It's possible it's the tank. The recall covered the e63 sending unit but from what my research tells me (and after replacing my sending unit with the newly resisted one) It could be the tanks as often as it is the sending unit. I've had my tank smoke tested. Big fat crack just under the mounting bolt in the center of the tank
As far as emissions go. My check engine light is on. If you want to pass smog disconnect the battery in the trunk for 10 minutes. Reconnect. Reset milage counter. Drive for 200 miles. Go get the smoke check. Fill up only half way at the gas pump while driving. I've done this the last three years. It usually takes 1500 miles to have the light reilluminate
As far as emissions go. My check engine light is on. If you want to pass smog disconnect the battery in the trunk for 10 minutes. Reconnect. Reset milage counter. Drive for 200 miles. Go get the smoke check. Fill up only half way at the gas pump while driving. I've done this the last three years. It usually takes 1500 miles to have the light reilluminate
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
E320
Dammit! I read this from time to time after posting on this thread months ago. Guys it may not be the sending unit. It's possible it's the tank. The recall covered the e63 sending unit but from what my research tells me (and after replacing my sending unit with the newly resisted one) It could be the tanks as often as it is the sending unit. I've had my tank smoke tested. Big fat crack just under the mounting bolt in the center of the tank
As far as emissions go. My check engine light is on. If you want to pass smog disconnect the battery in the trunk for 10 minutes. Reconnect. Reset milage counter. Drive for 200 miles. Go get the smoke check. Fill up only half way at the gas pump while driving. I've done this the last three years. It usually takes 1500 miles to have the light reilluminate
As far as emissions go. My check engine light is on. If you want to pass smog disconnect the battery in the trunk for 10 minutes. Reconnect. Reset milage counter. Drive for 200 miles. Go get the smoke check. Fill up only half way at the gas pump while driving. I've done this the last three years. It usually takes 1500 miles to have the light reilluminate
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
What do you guys thinks about this NHTSA fuel leak report:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014...robe.html?_r=0
Does it mean we have a 15-year warranty for that problem?
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014...robe.html?_r=0
Does it mean we have a 15-year warranty for that problem?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
What do you guys thinks about this NHTSA fuel leak report:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014...robe.html?_r=0
Does it mean we have a 15-year warranty for that problem?
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014...robe.html?_r=0
Does it mean we have a 15-year warranty for that problem?
Mercedes — a unit of Daimler AG — told NHTSA on Sept. 4 it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on "Covered Fuel Tank Components" in 2003-2009 E-Class vehicles in and 2006-2011 CLS-Class vehicles. Fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings. That letter was made public in recent days by NHTSA.
