Fuel Filters Replacement
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
Fuel Filters Replacement
I've posted two photos in my last posting of the replaced gas tank's fuel sending - filter unit.......if you never seen what this unit looks like, check out the photos below.......pretty complicated!
My vehicle is at my local Benz dealer for an oil/filter change and other repairs. The right side view mirror heating element went out (no defrosting) so that's being replaced......expensive glass unit $295. I'm also having the two fuel filters that are located in the fuel sending unit on top of the fuel tank replaced. You remove the back seat to access the fuel tank. The MB Maintenance Guide states replace these two filters every five years or every 60,000 miles and I've never had it done, so guess it's about time.......expensive $677. At least I'll get a 15% discount on these repairs. I asked my service rep to have the old filters retained for my inspection......I'm curious what they look like and how badly they're deteriorated after 13 years! Those of you that have older E Class (W211 vehicles 2003 or newer), have you had your fuel filters ever replaced?
My vehicle is at my local Benz dealer for an oil/filter change and other repairs. The right side view mirror heating element went out (no defrosting) so that's being replaced......expensive glass unit $295. I'm also having the two fuel filters that are located in the fuel sending unit on top of the fuel tank replaced. You remove the back seat to access the fuel tank. The MB Maintenance Guide states replace these two filters every five years or every 60,000 miles and I've never had it done, so guess it's about time.......expensive $677. At least I'll get a 15% discount on these repairs. I asked my service rep to have the old filters retained for my inspection......I'm curious what they look like and how badly they're deteriorated after 13 years! Those of you that have older E Class (W211 vehicles 2003 or newer), have you had your fuel filters ever replaced?
Last edited by mcleantmw; Nov 20, 2015 at 12:03 PM. Reason: Photos of Gas Tank Sending - Filter Unit
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
It all depends how clean fuel you get.
our ML320 sold at 150k with factory fuel filter.
Did you check the fuel tank recall? You might get whole pump with filters in it replaced for free.
our ML320 sold at 150k with factory fuel filter.
Did you check the fuel tank recall? You might get whole pump with filters in it replaced for free.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
My vehicle is at my local Benz dealer for an oil/filter change and other repairs. The right side view mirror heating element went out (no defrosting) so that's being replaced......expensive glass unit $295. I'm also having the two fuel filters that are located in the fuel sending unit on top of the fuel tank replaced. You remove the back seat to access the fuel tank. The MB Maintenance Guide states replace these two filters every five years or every 60,000 miles and I've never had it done, so guess it's about time.......expensive $677. At least I'll get a 15% discount on these repairs. I asked my service rep to have the old filters retained for my inspection......I'm curious what they look like and how badly they're deteriorated after 13 years! Those of you that have older E Class (W211 vehicles 2003 or newer), have you had your fuel filters ever replaced?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
This is what the E Series W211 Fuel Unit Looks Like
Thanks for the input. I did ask my MB Dealer Service Advisor about the fuel tank recall issue. He said it's not a recall but a warranty extension on my car to 2018 to replace the fuel tank if it leaks or has a serious gas odor......none of these have applied to my fuel tank so far. But I'm glad to know that if the tank develops any leak it will be replace at no cost up until 2018.
Wow - My vehicle for many years had a 2 - 3 second accelerator delay when I needed to obtain a major gas acceleration while driving on the open road......bothered me a lot and a slight safety hazard too. Now that this fuel sender - filter unit has been replaced, that solved this acceleration issue.......instant response from the gas peddle to the engine now! This was definitely worth the expense. I know I would have gotten a free gas tank with this unit installed under the extended warranty good until 2018 but my vehicle's gas tank was not leaking and had no gas odor
Last edited by mcleantmw; Nov 20, 2015 at 11:59 AM. Reason: Photo of Fuel Sending - Filter Unit
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
Thanks for the input. I did ask my MB Dealer Service Advisor about the fuel tank recall issue. He said it's not a recall but a warranty extension on my car to 2018 to replace the fuel tank if it leaks or has a serious gas odor......none of these have applied to my fuel tank so far. But I'm glad to know that if the tank develops any leak it will be replace at no cost up until 2018.
Wow - My vehicle for many years had a 2 - 3 second accelerator delay when I needed to obtain a major gas acceleration while driving on the open road......bothered me a lot and a slight safety hazard too. Now that this fuel sender - filter unit has been replaced, that solved this acceleration issue.......instant response from the gas peddle to the engine now! This was definitely worth the expense. I know I would have gotten a free gas tank with this unit installed under the extended warranty good until 2018 but my vehicle's gas tank was not leaking and had no gas odor
Wow - My vehicle for many years had a 2 - 3 second accelerator delay when I needed to obtain a major gas acceleration while driving on the open road......bothered me a lot and a slight safety hazard too. Now that this fuel sender - filter unit has been replaced, that solved this acceleration issue.......instant response from the gas peddle to the engine now! This was definitely worth the expense. I know I would have gotten a free gas tank with this unit installed under the extended warranty good until 2018 but my vehicle's gas tank was not leaking and had no gas odor
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I am always gaining huge acceleration improvement after vacuuming the carpets 
Placebo effect is in our instincts and even paying attention to not fall in it, I often do.
Although if your engine was starving for fuel in the past and now get to rpm faster, it will affect the shifting.
Placebo effect is in our instincts and even paying attention to not fall in it, I often do.
Although if your engine was starving for fuel in the past and now get to rpm faster, it will affect the shifting.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
How ironic.......my car stalled yesterday on the road and was towed to a MB Dealer for service. Turns out that the fuel pump just died at 159,000 miles. They checked for fuel leaks around the pump seal and around the tank and found none so I can't get the free warranty service.......too bad for me! Another $800 repair job! Oh well, with a 13 year old vehicle it's to be expected that things will eventually fail......one of the downsides to my plan to keep my vehicle operating for 20 years.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I would ask to get the old pump back.
On our ML55 about 6 years old fuel pump burned electrical connectors inside the tank (yes, fire inside the gas tank, but no oxygen to make mushroom cloud).
I replaced the pump, but later notified MB USA about the incident. They refunded me cost of the pump taking the old one.
The car was long past warranty, but I guess MB USA doesn't like that kind of publicity.
Good luck.
On our ML55 about 6 years old fuel pump burned electrical connectors inside the tank (yes, fire inside the gas tank, but no oxygen to make mushroom cloud).
I replaced the pump, but later notified MB USA about the incident. They refunded me cost of the pump taking the old one.
The car was long past warranty, but I guess MB USA doesn't like that kind of publicity.
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
How ironic.......my car stalled yesterday on the road and was towed to a MB Dealer for service. Turns out that the fuel pump just died at 159,000 miles. They checked for fuel leaks around the pump seal and around the tank and found none so I can't get the free warranty service.......too bad for me! Another $800 repair job! Oh well, with a 13 year old vehicle it's to be expected that things will eventually fail......one of the downsides to my plan to keep my vehicle operating for 20 years.
. I can speak for my dealer, we aren't searching for leaks. if customer states fuel is being smelled then the appropriate steps according to the vmi, new tank or new sending units, is performed. If it states replace the sending units only then that is what gets done. Your service advisor is a DB, he could of changed your complaint to fuel smell instead of tow in/no start. If it gets towed in because it doesn't start or doesn't run you at that point are not eligible for the warranty, again your service advisor.....
