E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

2003 E320 Fuel Smell, Out of 15 Year Coverage

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Old 03-07-2019, 07:40 PM
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2003 W211 E320
2003 E320 Fuel Smell, Out of 15 Year Coverage

My 2003 threw a check engine light yesterday. P0452. To test the tank I filled it up and let it sit in the garage. I could definitely smell gas so I parked it outside. Being a 2003 it is older than 15 years.

What do I need to do to fix this? I know the proper way is a tank but is there any cheaper option?
Old 03-08-2019, 03:10 PM
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1999 E300TD
If your looking for cheap, try gorilla glue or chewing gum,not the new stuff but the old double bubble or if you have excellent insurance,have someone smoke in the back seat.
Old 03-08-2019, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Plutoe
If your looking for cheap, try gorilla glue or chewing gum,not the new stuff but the old double bubble or if you have excellent insurance,have someone smoke in the back seat.
Too Funny!
No, I will fix it right, just don't want to replace the tank.
Old 03-08-2019, 03:31 PM
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Why not just replace the fuel filter, fuel pump, and the two o-rings? You're looking at a few hundred dollars to replace those parts (compared to ~$1000 for the AMG). Assuming your car is running on the original parts it would be likely the rubber o-ring gaskets have gone bad. When you pull the old parts, inspect the lip of the tank openings; if no breaks, just install the new parts. If lip is broken then you're looking at a new/used tank. Run the fuel gauge down to two bars or less before pulling the lids off....
Old 03-08-2019, 05:03 PM
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He's on the cheap and not going to get the car properly diagnosed---he will wind up changing everything and paying for unneeded parts--but he will sleep at night---he fixed the problem
Old 03-08-2019, 06:47 PM
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2003 W211 E320
Originally Posted by bbirdwell
Why not just replace the fuel filter, fuel pump, and the two o-rings? You're looking at a few hundred dollars to replace those parts (compared to ~$1000 for the AMG). Assuming your car is running on the original parts it would be likely the rubber o-ring gaskets have gone bad. When you pull the old parts, inspect the lip of the tank openings; if no breaks, just install the new parts. If lip is broken then you're looking at a new/used tank. Run the fuel gauge down to two bars or less before pulling the lids off....
Actually I was planning on using OEM Mercedes parts for the left side and OEM Mercedes gaskets for the right side and replace the fuel filter while I am in there. Looks like it will be around $350 to $400 for the parts.

With 8 cars, a camper, boat and 5 trailers I am pretty good at doing what needs to get done.
Old 03-08-2019, 06:51 PM
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2003 W211 E320
Originally Posted by Plutoe
He's on the cheap and not going to get the car properly diagnosed---he will wind up changing everything and paying for unneeded parts--but he will sleep at night---he fixed the problem
I am not new to the car rodeo, been working on them as a hobby an professionally for 40 years. It will be diagnosed correctly. The E320 is not an everyday car, it can be torn apart, pushed outside and worked on at a later date when the parts come in.
Old 05-03-2019, 09:58 PM
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Followup: I replaced the fuel filter assembly and sensor with Mercedes parts. Problem is fixed and check engine light hasn't come back on in 1,000 miles. It was the OEM fuel filter at 134,000 miles, I opened it up and it was black with gunk.
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