2013 ML350 Formatic Fuel Door Won’t Open
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2013 ML 350 (W166) 4MATIC
2013 ML350 Formatic Fuel Door Won’t Open
Hi everybody. I went to refuel this afternoon, and was surprised to find that the fuel cover door will not open. Has anyone else run into this? Key is turned off, I push the door to activate the release mechanism, I hear its usual screech, but the door doesn’t pop open. I know the circuit is energized, and I figure that the controller is working because I hear it screech. It just won’t release the latch. I began to hear the screech two years ago after I had work done to locate a leak inside the cabin. The repairman replaced the plastic shield around the gas tank refill tube (bilked the extended warranty quite a lot but didn’t solve the leak), and it squealed/screeched ever since.
So I’m about to run out of gas and can’t refill. Anybody know how to open the door manually?
So I’m about to run out of gas and can’t refill. Anybody know how to open the door manually?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
If you pull the right side interior panel you can gain access to the hidden bits that make the magic happen.
Once you're done, oil the darn thing or find out why it is making more noise than a whirr/click.
Once you're done, oil the darn thing or find out why it is making more noise than a whirr/click.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 222
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
I used to have a Lexus RX350 with a cable-actuated fuel filler door that would stick, and it was a minor annoyance at worst since I never needed gas so urgently.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Somewhere on FCPEuro's website there's a video that shows you how to remove the side panel in question; I believe the reason they made the video is so the rear airmatic shock could be changed. There's a lot of bits that need to be removed, but it isn't hard.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 5
2013 ML350 4MATIC FLEX
Handy manual fuel door aid
Hi everybody. I went to refuel this afternoon, and was surprised to find that the fuel cover door will not open. Has anyone else run into this? Key is turned off, I push the door to activate the release mechanism, I hear its usual screech, but the door doesn’t pop open. I know the circuit is energized, and I figure that the controller is working because I hear it screech. It just won’t release the latch. I began to hear the screech two years ago after I had work done to locate a leak inside the cabin. The repairman replaced the plastic shield around the gas tank refill tube (bilked the extended warranty quite a lot but didn’t solve the leak), and it squealed/screeched ever since.
So I’m about to run out of gas and can’t refill. Anybody know how to open the door manually?
So I’m about to run out of gas and can’t refill. Anybody know how to open the door manually?
ML350 W166 manual fuel door opening aid
Made this for the wife...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2013 ML 350 (W166) 4MATIC
Thread update, and Love the graphics!
cblyseth, Thanks for the photos! You must have a great camera - they’re really clear.
THREAD UPDATE: Found the source of screech. Looks like MB used a nylon gear on the door latch, and the screech was the teeth being ground off. So now the only was to open it is manually, until I get it repaired.
Thanks for the help, everyone!
THREAD UPDATE: Found the source of screech. Looks like MB used a nylon gear on the door latch, and the screech was the teeth being ground off. So now the only was to open it is manually, until I get it repaired.
Thanks for the help, everyone!
