Whole new way to die (how to kill an engine)
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
Whole new way to die (how to kill an engine)
So this AM we had a PT who was running late getting to the office to check in. I know the PT and her husband. Well, their car stopped running on the way to the facility. Just stopped.
Fast forward a bit. A family member drive in the mom for surgury. Dad has dealership pick up the car (road side). Well, turns out the last time they put gasoline in the car was last September (as in over a year ago!!!!). They take only short trips and recharge the car every night...the fuel in the car had "gone bad" and would not allow the engine to run.....
Now, PLEASE correct me if this PT is full of BS. But, something tells me he is not full of poo. Plus, he was in a panic as his car had stopped on the side of the road and had to be towed (destination was outside of battery range).
Any of this make sense????
Fast forward a bit. A family member drive in the mom for surgury. Dad has dealership pick up the car (road side). Well, turns out the last time they put gasoline in the car was last September (as in over a year ago!!!!). They take only short trips and recharge the car every night...the fuel in the car had "gone bad" and would not allow the engine to run.....
Now, PLEASE correct me if this PT is full of BS. But, something tells me he is not full of poo. Plus, he was in a panic as his car had stopped on the side of the road and had to be towed (destination was outside of battery range).
Any of this make sense????
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Joined: Jun 2025
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From: USA
It makes perfect sense. He's telling the truth.
Gasoline degrades and turns to varnish in about 3-6 months. After over a year, it's absolutely rotten. It gums up the fuel lines, injectors, and pump. Even in a plug-in hybrid, the gas engine needs good fuel to start when the battery is depleted. Bad gas will absolutely cause it to stall and refuse to run. They essentially killed the engine by neglecting the fuel system. He needs a full tank drain, fuel system flush, and likely a new fuel pump and injectors.
Gasoline degrades and turns to varnish in about 3-6 months. After over a year, it's absolutely rotten. It gums up the fuel lines, injectors, and pump. Even in a plug-in hybrid, the gas engine needs good fuel to start when the battery is depleted. Bad gas will absolutely cause it to stall and refuse to run. They essentially killed the engine by neglecting the fuel system. He needs a full tank drain, fuel system flush, and likely a new fuel pump and injectors.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
I got more of the story tonight. The guy also has an S...but, it is in the shop (LOL). So, it has seriously been over a year since he put fuel into the GLE. I joking asked if he had put some Stabil into the tank....they are saying WEEKS to get the car back and have to submit it to see if warranty would cover it. The current contention is that nothing in the documentation has anything about how long to leave fuel in the car...or how frequently the car would use the fuel to cycle it through the engine.
I can see it now...Frank and Mike walk into a garage...wipe off some dust and say "Yeah, this Mercedes has not run in a LONG LONG time. Almost four months. We should try to charge the battery and see if the fuel tank is full of varmnish........."
I can see it now...Frank and Mike walk into a garage...wipe off some dust and say "Yeah, this Mercedes has not run in a LONG LONG time. Almost four months. We should try to charge the battery and see if the fuel tank is full of varmnish........."
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 84
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2025 GLC 300
Eek the Chevy Volt had an automatic cycle for this. https://www.google.com/search?q=chevy+volt+old+gas Shocking the GLE doesn't have this.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Eek the Chevy Volt had an automatic cycle for this. https://www.google.com/search?q=chevy+volt+old+gas Shocking the GLE doesn't have this.
There have been posts about the engine starting while on Electric Only mode, but it could be for other things like oil circulation.
Does the Volt engine start similarly?
Edit- Apparently there isn't a direct setting or intervention that tells the car to run its engine. If you use Battery Hold the engine will run frequently to keep the battery from discharging.
Maybe don't plug it in?
Last edited by mikapen; Dec 10, 2025 at 07:55 PM.
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