Hard to start 2011 GL550
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
GL550, S63 AMG, CLK 55AMG
Hard to start 2011 GL550
Good Morning, thanks in advance for your help.
I bought is used in Sept 2013 and it had 52k miles. I love the vehicle. Since that time, once or twice a week I would Push to Start and it would turn over for a 3-5 seconds before starting. In the past month this is happening more frequently, 3-5 seconds of turning over before starting. My first thought is fuel injectors not allowing fuel to begin the firing process. Then maybe a clogged fuel filter. I only use Super unleaded in all of my Mercedes vehicles.
Does anyone have experience with this issue?
I bought is used in Sept 2013 and it had 52k miles. I love the vehicle. Since that time, once or twice a week I would Push to Start and it would turn over for a 3-5 seconds before starting. In the past month this is happening more frequently, 3-5 seconds of turning over before starting. My first thought is fuel injectors not allowing fuel to begin the firing process. Then maybe a clogged fuel filter. I only use Super unleaded in all of my Mercedes vehicles.
Does anyone have experience with this issue?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
gl550
2011 GL550
Hi, I just bought the same vehicle ('11 gl550 with 27k miles).
I don't have this issue, but was wondering if you could give me guidance on the maintenance as you have had the car longer with higher miles.
would 3500.00 to cover up to 75k miles be worth it?
have you had any other issues or repairs?
Im a little nervous about buying the vehicle and now I want to ensure its in top shape.
thanks,
T
I don't have this issue, but was wondering if you could give me guidance on the maintenance as you have had the car longer with higher miles.
would 3500.00 to cover up to 75k miles be worth it?
have you had any other issues or repairs?
Im a little nervous about buying the vehicle and now I want to ensure its in top shape.
thanks,
T
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
GL550, S63 AMG, CLK 55AMG
I love my GL550. In total we have 3 MBs, CLK55AMG and S63 AMG. I drive the GL pretty hard because i had one of the local mechanics install the performance chip and it runs Great. as for maintenance, i use the local places instead of Mercedes. I had way too many issues with MB dealership mechanics and codes appearing after taking my cars to them. on the GL I doubt that I have spent $500 in the past year on maintenance. I have a great relationship with the guys at Tuffy and the local car wash place that does oil changes, power steering, etc. Only 2 complaints from me on the GL, 1. this starting thing 2. on occasion i smell an odor from the vents but it disappears quickly 3. sorry only 2. this is my daily driver so i spend a lot of time in it. the only i did different was I had some one paint the stock MB wheels and calipers all black. It was a lot cheaper than buying new ones. any thing else?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
We've got a 2010 GL550 and have the musky smell from the vents for a few seconds when the car is first started. New cabin air filters get rid of the problem, but it reappears within a couple of months. I've also tried Lysol to disinfect the vent system (spraying 1/4 can in filter area with fan on high, then with recirculate on - spraying under glove box area). Works for a few weeks but the odor comes back.
If you can find a longterm solution, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
If you can find a longterm solution, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
On slow start - two things.
1. Make sure your battery is in excellent condition. The engine needs to crank fast to "catch".
2. Replace your fuel filter. It does have a backflow preventer valve and yours is prolly sticking a bit. There is another one in the fuel pump, but first things first.
On ac odor- make sure your drain tube is not clogged. They do clog and when that happens your evap coil will not drain properly and this develop fungus.
1. Make sure your battery is in excellent condition. The engine needs to crank fast to "catch".
2. Replace your fuel filter. It does have a backflow preventer valve and yours is prolly sticking a bit. There is another one in the fuel pump, but first things first.
On ac odor- make sure your drain tube is not clogged. They do clog and when that happens your evap coil will not drain properly and this develop fungus.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
GL550, S63 AMG, CLK 55AMG
thank you for your post.
1. the battery is new. i replaced it right away thinking it could be a cause.
2. Tell me more about the fuel filter. i saw a couple places that the fuel filter is contained within the pump within the gas tank.
3. Lastly, where is the drain tube?
1. the battery is new. i replaced it right away thinking it could be a cause.
2. Tell me more about the fuel filter. i saw a couple places that the fuel filter is contained within the pump within the gas tank.
3. Lastly, where is the drain tube?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
thank you for your post.
1. the battery is new. i replaced it right away thinking it could be a cause.
2. Tell me more about the fuel filter. i saw a couple places that the fuel filter is contained within the pump within the gas tank.
3. Lastly, where is the drain tube?
1. the battery is new. i replaced it right away thinking it could be a cause.
2. Tell me more about the fuel filter. i saw a couple places that the fuel filter is contained within the pump within the gas tank.
3. Lastly, where is the drain tube?
2. The fuel filter is part of the fuel pump. Replacing it is not very straight forward. Price is about $400 for the part.
3. Don't remember as I have not done one recently. When your ac runs does water drip from underneath?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GL550
I love my GL550. In total we have 3 MBs, CLK55AMG and S63 AMG. I drive the GL pretty hard because i had one of the local mechanics install the performance chip and it runs Great. as for maintenance, i use the local places instead of Mercedes. I had way too many issues with MB dealership mechanics and codes appearing after taking my cars to them. on the GL I doubt that I have spent $500 in the past year on maintenance. I have a great relationship with the guys at Tuffy and the local car wash place that does oil changes, power steering, etc. Only 2 complaints from me on the GL, 1. this starting thing 2. on occasion i smell an odor from the vents but it disappears quickly 3. sorry only 2. this is my daily driver so i spend a lot of time in it. the only i did different was I had some one paint the stock MB wheels and calipers all black. It was a lot cheaper than buying new ones. any thing else?
Can you provide some more information on the performance chip and what did it improve? Model name/number? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
S63
Good Morning, thanks in advance for your help.
I bought is used in Sept 2013 and it had 52k miles. I love the vehicle. Since that time, once or twice a week I would Push to Start and it would turn over for a 3-5 seconds before starting. In the past month this is happening more frequently, 3-5 seconds of turning over before starting. My first thought is fuel injectors not allowing fuel to begin the firing process. Then maybe a clogged fuel filter. I only use Super unleaded in all of my Mercedes vehicles.
Does anyone have experience with this issue?
I bought is used in Sept 2013 and it had 52k miles. I love the vehicle. Since that time, once or twice a week I would Push to Start and it would turn over for a 3-5 seconds before starting. In the past month this is happening more frequently, 3-5 seconds of turning over before starting. My first thought is fuel injectors not allowing fuel to begin the firing process. Then maybe a clogged fuel filter. I only use Super unleaded in all of my Mercedes vehicles.
Does anyone have experience with this issue?
I found a used starter from LKQ for FIFTY DOLLARS! Watched several videos on how to change it without pulling the front end apart and changed it out in 40 minutes. That was on 1 Aug 2022. Today is 27 Sept and have had ZERO issues with it starting.
On another note, it appears that several Benz models use the same starter. This one came off a C class. The vin says so.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 332
Likes: 70
2007 GL450
I recently had the exact same problem then one day, BAM! It didn't start. It was my starter. Mercedes wanted somewhere around $2500 to replace it. $500 for the starter and $198/hr for @10 hours of labor.
I found a used starter from LKQ for FIFTY DOLLARS! Watched several videos on how to change it without pulling the front end apart and changed it out in 40 minutes. That was on 1 Aug 2022. Today is 27 Sept and have had ZERO issues with it starting.
On another note, it appears that several Benz models use the same starter. This one came off a C class. The vin says so.
I found a used starter from LKQ for FIFTY DOLLARS! Watched several videos on how to change it without pulling the front end apart and changed it out in 40 minutes. That was on 1 Aug 2022. Today is 27 Sept and have had ZERO issues with it starting.
On another note, it appears that several Benz models use the same starter. This one came off a C class. The vin says so.
new starter from rockauto is about $150.
The dealer price is so high.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 628
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Changing the starter is not easy but it is not end-of-the-world hard either.
