SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Auxilliary fuel pump rattle
Thread Starter
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From: Hilton Head Island
1999 E55 AMG
Auxilliary fuel pump rattle
I have a new SL-55 and since day one I have endured an annoying metallic rattle emanating bethind the passenger seat at the bottom of the rear window. The rear window acts like a megaphone and mangifies the sound. The senior mechanic at my M-B dealer just returned from a training session in Jacksonville and learned that this is a known problem (source: auxilliary fuel pump unique to SL-55) without a solution.
Of course, I will not accept this in a new M-B.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Of course, I will not accept this in a new M-B.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 311
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From: Cleveland Ohio
2006 SL55 with 030 Performance Package
Yes, I think I have the same metallic rattle, It is more evident when the top is closed.
I thought it was a metal shield around the exhaust system that might need some bending, but I would like it to go away.
The car is perfect except for that rattle.
AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (700 Miles)
2000 ML430 (48000 Miles)
I thought it was a metal shield around the exhaust system that might need some bending, but I would like it to go away.
The car is perfect except for that rattle.
AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (700 Miles)
2000 ML430 (48000 Miles)
Thread Starter
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From: Hilton Head Island
1999 E55 AMG
I have some good news to post.
Last night, for the first time, I pressed the accelerator all the way to the floor.
I just completed my 900 mile break-in perioc (I know it's supposed to be 1,000 miles, but what's another 100 miles going to add?).
Surprisingly, for the very first time since buying the vehicle 3 weeks ago, the rattle is now gone!
Perhaps the engine demanding maximum fuel for the first time somehow settled the rattle from the auxilliary fuel pump.
I am curious to know if this would solve your problem.
Last night, for the first time, I pressed the accelerator all the way to the floor.
I just completed my 900 mile break-in perioc (I know it's supposed to be 1,000 miles, but what's another 100 miles going to add?).
Surprisingly, for the very first time since buying the vehicle 3 weeks ago, the rattle is now gone!
Perhaps the engine demanding maximum fuel for the first time somehow settled the rattle from the auxilliary fuel pump.
I am curious to know if this would solve your problem.
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 86
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From: Southern Calif
2003 CL 55 2003 SL55 2000 S500 DESIGNO, 1999 SL 500 Sport, 1997 S320
Yes, I've got the same rattle. I thought it was something in the convertible mechanism. It sounds like someone's crumbling celiphane behind the passenger seat. Since the car's in having the driver's door replaced; I told them about the rattle, at least now I can help direct them if they can't find it.
Thanks Breeze
2003 SL 54 1/2
Thanks Breeze
2003 SL 54 1/2
Last edited by Breeze; Mar 19, 2003 at 01:40 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Re: Auxilliary fuel pump rattle
Originally posted by MRI Doc
The senior mechanic at my M-B dealer just returned from a training session in Jacksonville and learned that this is a known problem (source: auxilliary fuel pump unique to SL-55) without a solution.
The senior mechanic at my M-B dealer just returned from a training session in Jacksonville and learned that this is a known problem (source: auxilliary fuel pump unique to SL-55) without a solution.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 311
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From: Cleveland Ohio
2006 SL55 with 030 Performance Package
When the fuel tank is full it rattles when the tank is empty is goes away in my SL55.
MRI Doc, did you fix the rattle yet?
AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (rock solid at 140MPH)
2000 ML430
MRI Doc, did you fix the rattle yet?
AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (rock solid at 140MPH)
2000 ML430
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1
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From: toronto
2003 cl55,2003 sl55
SL55 fuel tank
mercedes has manufactured a new gas tank to stop this problem and i'm going to have it installed in my sl55 on monday. i will let you know the part number when i get it and also let you know if it works...it also drove me as crazy as you...wish me luck...
Thread Starter
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From: Hilton Head Island
1999 E55 AMG
Thanks to all of you for your helpful comments. I will talk to my dealer about the hand brake cable and new fuel tank. I think the latter will do the trick. I hope it holds MORE fuel!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
SL 55,S 55, M3,CL 55
MY dealer was just told by MB to install a new gas tank to take care of the rattle. Did anyone do this yet and did it solve the problem? Now the wait to get the tank in.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,148
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From: Berkshire, UK
2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
Originally posted by palbertr
MY dealer was just told by MB to install a new gas tank to take care of the rattle. Did anyone do this yet and did it solve the problem? Now the wait to get the tank in.
MY dealer was just told by MB to install a new gas tank to take care of the rattle. Did anyone do this yet and did it solve the problem? Now the wait to get the tank in.
Im told the part is "back ordered in germany" - i.e germany are waiting for new supplies - so I imagine theres a load of these being done across the world.
Mine turns into a squeal like noise when the car and outside temp. are cold for a few minutes. I guess the aux fuel pump runs under those circumstances. Normally it just becomes a ticking noise. I imagine it probably squeals a bit when under full throttle when that aux pump is working hard .. but Im only listening to the engine then :-)
R
Super Moderator
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Originally posted by b4chow
has anyone had this changed in the US yet? just frustrating to buy a car so expensive and have quirks like this...
has anyone had this changed in the US yet? just frustrating to buy a car so expensive and have quirks like this...
My personal point of view is that overall, Mercedes quality has actually improved significantly. Maybe the quality attitude is like the notion that everything was better in the "old days".
Having driven just about every Mercedes since '79 I have seen a lot more quality related issues before. Cars rusting in three years, air suspensions loosing pressure, window motors and switches going out, serious brake issues, loosing oil pressure and countless air conditioning problems.
For sure, all cars represent the best in manufacturing capabilities of their day, but I remember seeing a lot more quality issues that could impact driving safety. Quite a few (clearly not all) of the issues today I would rank as annoyance issues.
In regards to what and what should not happen to an expensive car, I suggest to look at the track record (and costs) of other expensive cars, let's say for the first 50k miles/5years: Ferrari, RR, Aston Martin, Lambo and Porsche.
Wolfman
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,148
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From: Berkshire, UK
2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
Originally posted by Wolfman
This is not about you b4chow and maybe I am just getting annoyed by some of the messages in these forums where people complain about having issues with "expensive" cars experiencing problems and how Mercedes quality is going "downhill".
This is not about you b4chow and maybe I am just getting annoyed by some of the messages in these forums where people complain about having issues with "expensive" cars experiencing problems and how Mercedes quality is going "downhill".
My view about this is similar to Wolfman - we shouldnt forget that the cars are complex pieces of machinery full of electronics, in very harsh environments for electronics. The fuel tank issue is no problem afaik, MB are doing the right thing, and if anyone notices/cares about the noise of petrol in the tank then they replace the tank. You can be sure that most manafacturers would say "thats petrol, its liquid, it sloshes sometimes or you can hear the fuel pump sometimes" and send you home.
Remember that the cars are new (the Sl55 fuel tank is unique to the SL55) and without hundreds of cars out there driven thousands of miles in real world - you can be sure that there will be noises and squeaks that do develop.
Provided they fix the more anoying ones I'm quite happy, and put the fixes into the production line thats even better.
My SL quality is better than my last CLK. Its also considerably quieter than my R129 SL
Ive been a bit unlucky with failures (see fault thread) but my dealer has been great,. diagnosed things quickly and offered me loan cars etc (which I dont tend to bother with) and fixed everything properly first time.
My wife's ML has been 100% - my VW Golf has broken about the same amount of times as the SL - not quite the same service from VW as from MB by a long way !
Cheers
Richard
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 192
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From: Hawaii/Conneticut
2005 SLK350
i dont know about how much quality changed over the years, since i have personally only owned two mercedes since i got my driver's license, but i had a few problems with my c230, as well as my sl500r
i do expect there to be some faults with new cars, that's why when you buy the newest models, you should expect unforseen problems.
i do not mind cars having problems (granted they are not serious), but what pisses me off the most is bad service that sometimes the dealers provide you. i do not expect everything to be perfect just because i paid so much money for it, but i do expect top notch service for the price i paid.
i do expect there to be some faults with new cars, that's why when you buy the newest models, you should expect unforseen problems.
i do not mind cars having problems (granted they are not serious), but what pisses me off the most is bad service that sometimes the dealers provide you. i do not expect everything to be perfect just because i paid so much money for it, but i do expect top notch service for the price i paid.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
just to let u guys know as of today 01/02/04 i picked up my 04 SL55 it has the same problem 
am i surpose to get a whatever update taken care of my Oct built SL? why would i have this problem???
thanks for the heads up though!
am i surpose to get a whatever update taken care of my Oct built SL? why would i have this problem???
thanks for the heads up though!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: studio city, ca
sl 55
i had this problem in the los angeles area and didn't accept delivery till they changed the gas tank. after that the noise has been gone and never returned. my dealer told me that the owner had the same noise and i said i didn't care. i just think mercedes would rather not replace every sl55 gas tank.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: studio city, ca
sl 55
mercedes benz of bakersfield. and surindar was my salesman. bob levy is my name if you want to use me as a reference. but mercedes benz does know all about this and you should be able to accomplish this at any dealer. good luck.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 122
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From: San Jose, California
2003 SL55 2007 S550
Yesterday, 1-5-2004, I took my 2003 SL55 in to Smythe European in San Jose to get the gas tank fixed as well as roof rattles.
2nd trip, first time was in Septemember. Following posts on this forum and others I had come to believe that a new gas tank would solve the problem and that one could be obtained. I was wrong.
I was told that I have been added to a list of owners in the USA with the noisy fuel pump problem. I am number 15. Supposedly, AMG is taking the position that this "isn't a safety issue" and "you have to expect some issues with a high performance car". MBUSA has been contacted about this and they are saying that they have no way to force AMG to deal with this. Supposedly AMG is "considering" a run of new gas tanks but they have made no commitment yet.
I am NOT happy with this response.
2nd trip, first time was in Septemember. Following posts on this forum and others I had come to believe that a new gas tank would solve the problem and that one could be obtained. I was wrong.
I was told that I have been added to a list of owners in the USA with the noisy fuel pump problem. I am number 15. Supposedly, AMG is taking the position that this "isn't a safety issue" and "you have to expect some issues with a high performance car". MBUSA has been contacted about this and they are saying that they have no way to force AMG to deal with this. Supposedly AMG is "considering" a run of new gas tanks but they have made no commitment yet.
I am NOT happy with this response.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, California
2003 SL55 2007 S550
Got my car back yesterday (1-15-04). Was at Smythe for ten days. The Roof Rattles are GONE!!! A tech spent the better part of a week on it. About 8 different things found and corrected. Very happy with this.
Not so good with the noisy fuel pump. As posted before AMG is dragging their heels on this. I am number 15 on a US waiting list. Managed to confirm that every SL55 has the fuel pump rattle one way or another. Louder in some than others.
I'm going to keep fighting for a new tank.
Not so good with the noisy fuel pump. As posted before AMG is dragging their heels on this. I am number 15 on a US waiting list. Managed to confirm that every SL55 has the fuel pump rattle one way or another. Louder in some than others.
I'm going to keep fighting for a new tank.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 73
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
SL 55,S 55, M3,CL 55
Tank
I had my tank replaced 6 months ago. The noise level was quiter and pitch of the sound was different. The noise has been increasing steadly and is quite obvious to someone new who is in the passenger seat. I am still getting the "noise is normal" from the dealers. I had a follow call ffrom Mercedes on another issue and reported this as becoming aggrevating.
