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I have a 2004 E320, and we started smelling fuel right after filling up. I have read the posts about sending units, fuel filters, and tanks going bad, but I'm wondering if mine is just the fuel pressure sensor? Also, I have seen posts about the warranty being extended to 15 years on fuel items, but I assume I'm outside the 15 year window now and I'm an hour and a half away from the nearest dealer.
Below is a picture of the fuel tank sender (under the rear seat, left side), there was a considerable amount of fuel under there, but I cleaned it up with some rags. You can still see some fuel in the bottom (I unplugged the fuel pressure sensor).
I got it pretty dry with some paper towels, but in a minute or two (with the engine not running, but still close to a full tank), I could see some new wetness on the round section where the black fuel pressure sensor is, see picture below at about the 4 or 5 o-clock position on the pressure sensor. It looks like it is leaking where the fuel pressure sensor plugs in. Is it possible I just need to replace the fuel pressure sensor (I presume there is a gasket is on the sensor)? Or should I just assume I need to replace the whole sending unit? To be honest, I can't really tell where the leak is?
After an hour or so, more fuel will collect in the bottom of the fuel sender lid?
Sorry for the giant pictures, but hopefully the detail is helpful.
I know there are numerous posts about fuel leaks, and I did search for them, and read several of them. But I couldn't find anything that simply addressed the fuel pressure sensor (which I am hoping is my issue, but maybe not).
Carefully pull sensor to check underneath. Here is underside of pressure sensor, current replacement part # 1635422818. If filter housing is failing (i.e.: cracked) current replacement part is 2114706094.
It looks like your fuel tank and sending unit has already been replaced under the extended warranty. I would contact MBUSA with your vin and ask them if the fuel tank has been replaced under the warranty. You have the updated design and the sending unit looks brand new. Maybe there's a new warranty on the new unit. https://imgur.com/a/6CaNUZv
I have a 2004 E320, and we started smelling fuel right after filling up.
I had mine replaced. Afterwards, not to trivialize what's happened to you, and I think many agree, I now never 'top off'. At most I'll aim for 3/4 tank. Just saying.
I had mine replaced. Afterwards, not to trivialize what's happened to you, and I think many agree, I now never 'top off'. At most I'll aim for 3/4 tank. Just saying.
Why not? Topping it off isn't the cause of the problem. It was a manufacturing defect. In 1.5 years since having mine replaced under warranty, I've never smelled fuel again.
Why not? Topping it off isn't the cause of the problem. It was a manufacturing defect. In 1.5 years since having mine replaced under warranty, I've never smelled fuel again.
Even if you stop when the pump stops, that fuel can expand and get into the EVAP system which is meant to deal with fumes, not raw liquid gas. Issues can ensue.
That's nonsense, the evap system on the 211 connects at top filler neck. Not only that but the charcoal canister is purposely mounted higher in the body of the car than the fuel tank. To top it all off, the evap system has a purge valve which keeps the charcoal canister under positive pressure unless the engine is running and generating a vacuum to pull the excess fuel into the engine to be burned. It's physically impossible to flood the charcoal canister and even if you did, you wouldn't damage it. It's designed to absorb fuel.
The only known failure point in the 211 fuel system is the driver's side sender/filter housing.
That's nonsense, the evap system on the 211 connects at top filler neck. Not only that but the charcoal canister is purposely mounted higher in the body of the car than the fuel tank. To top it all off, the evap system has a purge valve which keeps the charcoal canister under positive pressure unless the engine is running and generating a vacuum to pull the excess fuel into the engine to be burned. It's physically impossible to flood the charcoal canister and even if you did, you wouldn't damage it. It's designed to absorb fuel.
The only known failure point in the 211 fuel system is the driver's side sender/filter housing.
09-06-2020, 06:11 PM
