BM2BZ

you should still go next week and tell your adviser where you get the answer. he couldn't thank you more .

WALKBIG

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.

sflguy4u2

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.

Live Oak

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????

sflguy4u2

I have a 2013 and the cord problem still exists...Found the answer here on the forum so now i just make sure it is stretched the right way after each fill up.

VegasFanatic

Just wanted to say THANK YOU! Haven't even had my car for 2 weeks and just had this same problem. Your instructions to hang the cap straight down and re attach worked like a charm. Again, thank you.

mafialink

design flaw. I shouldn't have to drop the cap and get it straighten out and put it back in. MB engineers were sleeping when they designed the gas cap assembly.

VegasFanatic

You would think that after several model years of the same problem , they would have addressed it by now.

Live Oak

DESIGN FLAW!!!??? NO! NO! NO! IT'S AN INSCRUTABLE DESIGN NUANCE!

rufmb

MB is unable to design a cord that stays out of the way.

rufmb

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.

jcbevelee

U guys are great. just fixed my fuel door, it wouldn't close all the way. The fuel cap was coiled up a little. i unstrung it and now the door closes properly. Saved me some money yea.

DC-IT

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!

fintail

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.

no_mulligan

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.

BenzV12

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

matts

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.

praygor

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.

noranbee1

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.

gfritz

I cut the cord off my gas cap - problem solved!

steinjr

Worked for me! Thanks for sharing everyone.

cleankutazn

Why can't mercedes just make it capless like ford, problem solved.

KineticArt

Just got my E350 (yes profile update forthcoming!) Thanks guys!! This fixed it for me!

jdashmusic

I just ran into this issue and your post saved me loads of time. Much appreciated!

josemorales

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.