What's with gas filler door not latching??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 5
From: Paradise
w212 E550
This forum is amazing..have found answers to everything...I have 2 month old 2013 E350...love it...had the issue with fuel door not locking...went to dealer and the adviser looked at it....couldn't figure it out but said he couldn't get me in until next week........Looked on this forum and found the answer here...the fuel cap cord was twisted and in the way.......Crazy design because its allowed much movement...Thanks guys for all your help. 
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2011 ES350
2011 E350 Fuel Door won't shut
I've read the post on how most of you fixed the fuel door issue but my fuel door has just experienced the fourth occurrence of not shutting properly. The dealer has already replaced the entire insert which houses the locking mechanism. This will be their fourth time dealing with this issue.
The cap cord is not binding or causing the door to stay open (appx 1/4 inch). When I hold it shut and lock the car with my key fob, it stays shut; I understand why it stays shut in this situation but I can't figure out why it stopped closing properly and why it won't stay shut when the car isn't locked. This is getting to be a big inconvenience for me. I'm looking for any ideas that I may have overlooked.
The cap cord is not binding or causing the door to stay open (appx 1/4 inch). When I hold it shut and lock the car with my key fob, it stays shut; I understand why it stays shut in this situation but I can't figure out why it stopped closing properly and why it won't stay shut when the car isn't locked. This is getting to be a big inconvenience for me. I'm looking for any ideas that I may have overlooked.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 4
From: Ft Lauderdale
2021 E350
Moving the cord usually fixed the problem. Just adjust the position. Using the fob will help lock the fuel door but the minute you open or unlock the car the fuel door is unlocked also. If the cord is still blocking it the door will open up.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
My (puzzling) experience with this damn thing is that the cord is simply too stiff and springy. If it is not dressed properly when the door is closed, the door will pop open.
I didn't at first believe what people here were telling me --- looking at things, it just didn't seem to make sense. But in my case, making sure the cord hangs straight down from its attachment to the hinge solves the problem. (Good idea to also be sure the cord hasn't been twisted a few times.)
I wonder if MB started using a more flexible, less stiff cord after 2011????
I didn't at first believe what people here were telling me --- looking at things, it just didn't seem to make sense. But in my case, making sure the cord hangs straight down from its attachment to the hinge solves the problem. (Good idea to also be sure the cord hasn't been twisted a few times.)
I wonder if MB started using a more flexible, less stiff cord after 2011????
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: USA
2013 Mercedes E350 Luxury
I read that too in the manual, haven't located it or figured out what problem exactly it will solve; apparently the cord replacement idea with something home made is hilarious. Should make a copy and send it to Germany.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 BlueTec, 2011 VW Jetta TDI
Come on M-B for a $60k+ luxury car why can't you design a self retractable cord like my $200 power cord on my vacuum cleaner? Lol!
That should solve this issue but wait the it has to be programmed into the ecu!
That should solve this issue but wait the it has to be programmed into the ecu!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
Funny thing - my car had this issue too, especially when brand new. It shut just fine, but it was not aligned properly with the car. I took it in within a week, and they said the door was warped, and replaced it with another. Apparently there is a bulletin or something about it. It is more flush now, but not 100% aligned, and it seems to be a flaw in the design of the hinge assembly - the cord is out of the way.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 73
From: Richmond, Virginia USA
'12 E550, '10 ML350, '06 E350, '20 GLC300, '21 GLC300
Unscrew the cap. Make sure that to get any twist out of the cord. Screw the cap on and make sure the cable forms a "U". Not upside down!. No more problems.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 945
W212 FL
I did suffer from this problem too and gave some clues to gas station staffs as well lol .They later thanked me because W204 owners had exact problem too
I posted a video a few months ago ,not mean to tout my video but it's little trick for you to see
I posted a video a few months ago ,not mean to tout my video but it's little trick for you to see
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 21
From: Cleveland, OH
'23 EQS 580
I had this problem too ...
I have had the same problem as well, and just thought, heck just cut the plastic cord. We have the holder in the door to set the cap into when refuleing, a simple snip and the problem is solved .... does not replace doing the design right from the start ... but can solve the annoyance.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E350
E350 fuel filler flap latching issue
Usually, if the door doesn't close fully, it is because of the cable that is attached to the fuel cap. So in a situation where it is not closing, just move the cable around or stretch it a little. That will solve all the problems. At least it worked every time when I tried to fix it.
___________________
Thanks @AlanMe for the advice. I just had to rotate the cable and pull it taut and the flap shut nicely. It didn't get quite to 6 o clock but stretching the cable seemed to have the desired effect.
___________________
Thanks @AlanMe for the advice. I just had to rotate the cable and pull it taut and the flap shut nicely. It didn't get quite to 6 o clock but stretching the cable seemed to have the desired effect.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
E350 4Matic
Yes, you are right. I had the same issue with my 2012 E350. After fueling, suddenly I was not able to close the gas cover. So, I scheduled an appt w/ my service advisor... However, after reading your response, I just tried it and it worked. Thank you.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2011 E350 4Matic
Thanks!!!
If you mean 7 o'clock on the filler cap, mine won't even go there. It hangs at about 3 o'clock, maybe 5 o'clock at the best.
HOWEVER, fooling with the cord, where it attaches to the door it can be rotated. If I move the attachment there to 7 o'clock looking at the attachment, the door stays closed. ?????????????????
Thanks for your input, it put me on track.
HOWEVER, fooling with the cord, where it attaches to the door it can be rotated. If I move the attachment there to 7 o'clock looking at the attachment, the door stays closed. ?????????????????
Thanks for your input, it put me on track.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Rehoboth Beach DE
2014 S550 2013 S550 2012 E350,2008 CLS63
E350 Gas Tank Door
Just had this problem with my E350. Played with the rubber lanyard attached to the gas cap, now all is well
Thanks to the info on this forum.
Thanks to the info on this forum.
