2008 GLs on fire
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 10
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White 135
Here are pics of my wife's car. This should answer any questions. I have personally spoken to three other GL 450 owners whose cars have spontaneously combusted. It's shocking that MB is not acknowledging this. And RECALLING ALL 2007, 2008, 2009 GL 450s. Feel free to contact me with any further questions...They're dangerous, and they catch fire for no particular reason, or at least not one that MBUSA is willing to acknowledge for obvious reasons.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 846
Likes: 1
From: da long island
1989 Toyota Tercel Coupé
You guys got me so scared yesterday. Smelling smoke thinking its going to go up in flames. Just thinking "Is it me? My car?" After my 30 mins of nauseating bumper to bumper traffic smelling smoke I noticed the car in front of me was a diesel that was smoking really bad.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 288
Likes: 7
2010 GL450
If you are that worried, replace the battery with a known good one that has never cought fire! Like a Optima yellow top or blue top (same as yellow top, but comes with 2 years warranty instead of 1, and is supposed to be for marine use, but its the same exact thing)
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 23
From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
This is what I was thinking as well. My other theory is that there is hydrogen building up in the battery compartment, that is getting ignited by some normal relay sparking or something.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 288
Likes: 7
2010 GL450
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
From Optima's Website:
Does an OPTIMA battery ever gas?
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
Also from their website:
Install battery in a ventilated area for operation and during charging
The Optima may not be the fix-all that you are looking for...
I can tell you that the battery compartment is vented... Part of the procedures for removing and installing the battery involves removing the breather hose...
So, either the breather hose is suspect, or, it might be something else that is causing the fires. It is peculiar that it only seems to be happening to 2008 models and to gas powered models.
Does an OPTIMA battery ever gas?
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
Also from their website:
Install battery in a ventilated area for operation and during charging
The Optima may not be the fix-all that you are looking for...
I can tell you that the battery compartment is vented... Part of the procedures for removing and installing the battery involves removing the breather hose...
So, either the breather hose is suspect, or, it might be something else that is causing the fires. It is peculiar that it only seems to be happening to 2008 models and to gas powered models.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 288
Likes: 7
2010 GL450
Thanks for the info, but the experiance I have with Optima batteries tells me they do not need to vent as I had 12 of them installed in a 64 Chevy trunk back in my lowrider days. They were worked very hard, and not once did one leak overheat or explode.
The stress I put on those 12 batteries...lets just say your car battery will never see that kind of stress.
Oh and you alternator will never reach 15 volts if its in healthy condition. It will hover around 13.8-14.4 volts while charging.
The stress I put on those 12 batteries...lets just say your car battery will never see that kind of stress.
Oh and you alternator will never reach 15 volts if its in healthy condition. It will hover around 13.8-14.4 volts while charging.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
I have also had direct experience with a gassing Optima D34M blue top battery. The winch on my Jeep draws 480 amps under max load and living here in Arizona, I have used it in the 115 degree weather and heard the two vents on top release gas. That was a good sign to stop and take a break.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
G35 and Nissan Armada
I got a call back from MB (not the dealer). The reply is that while MB does not comment on posts like this, they have verified the QA records and do not find any incidents recorded. In other words, MB does not seem to have any incident reported to them. How is it possible that members report incidents here but they are not recorded by MB? I am sure members contacted MB.
Anyway, on the same call, I come to know that a service campaign is issued for rear sam replacement for my vehicle vin number so took appointment with dealer to get it done.
Anyway, on the same call, I come to know that a service campaign is issued for rear sam replacement for my vehicle vin number so took appointment with dealer to get it done.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
G35 and Nissan Armada
, and i was not expecting anything like this
and they went and got a 2010 Caddy and 2010 X5 diesel, IMO GL350/320 is much better than X5d, X5 will deliver sometime in Dec...
Last edited by 4u4me; Nov 20, 2009 at 09:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
G35 and Nissan Armada
Here are pics of my wife's car. This should answer any questions. I have personally spoken to three other GL 450 owners whose cars have spontaneously combusted. It's shocking that MB is not acknowledging this. And RECALLING ALL 2007, 2008, 2009 GL 450s. Feel free to contact me with any further questions...They're dangerous, and they catch fire for no particular reason, or at least not one that MBUSA is willing to acknowledge for obvious reasons.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 4
09 GL450
It's a bit too large.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 23
From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Beverly Hills
CLK Black series
I have a 2008 GL550. Mine was perfect no problems what so ever. I have a friend that has a GL450 for 3 years no problem at all. No technical difficulties at all.
Wow weird... scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone is fine though.
Wow weird... scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone is fine though.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
G35 and Nissan Armada
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
G35 and Nissan Armada
