SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Rattle - Gas tank
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: NY
SL 55 AMG
Baffle fix
Not sure of material for spring, but it shouldn't matter really . The gas should preserve it and since there is very little air in the tank, not too worried. Anyways, I used about an 1 1/2-2 inch kind of heavy duty spring ie. one that does not easily stretch without quite a bit of force. I used a coat hanger and bent it to fit. It was a struggle to get the correct length and hook the baffle and then hook the sending unit. But eventually I got it. Just make sure you take every precaution as to not drop anything in the tank. I used some wire that once everything was hooked, I just cut the wire and replaced the sending unit in the tank. It gives it nice tension and works just fine. Again, make sure you hook way up on the sending unit, otherwise it messes it up and won't register in your car. Learned that twice. Otherwise, that was it. If you need anything else email me. Good, easy, cheap fix for a really stupid problem that I'm shocked our German friends let go. Very disappointed. Good luck!!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
2004 R230 Sl500
Wettig 10
Are you saying that the spring is 1 1/2 - 2 " in length or diameter ?
Most of the springs I've seen are the diameter of , say , your thumb vs. your little pinky ?
Knowing the correct diameter of the spring that the fix requires should be of paramount importance as to the stress it applies on the sending unit .
Many thanks
Are you saying that the spring is 1 1/2 - 2 " in length or diameter ?
Most of the springs I've seen are the diameter of , say , your thumb vs. your little pinky ?
Knowing the correct diameter of the spring that the fix requires should be of paramount importance as to the stress it applies on the sending unit .
Many thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: NY
SL 55 AMG
Baffle spring
Sorry, yes bout size of your pinky finger. And btw, springs come in all lengths and diameters. Honestly doesn't matter as long as it's pretty stiff ie. not too expandable and about 2 inches or less. He'll, if you wanted to you could buy a 6 or 8 inch spring and attach the whole thing like that without a coat hanger. Whatever works for you and whatever feels comfortable. You really need to get into the tank to see what it looks like and engineer something. If you don't have that kind of skill, call or just have the tank replaced. Up to you. Always willing to help. Hope that helps. Peace
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
Is there any way to get a pair of very long needle nose pliers through the sending unit hole and just pull the baffle out.. I'm sure it would take some force, but could it be done?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
There is a thread on Benzworld.org about this where a guy posted pics of the baffle and it looks like a long, but not very wide piece of metal.. Also looks to be thin gauge metal.. Wish I had a better idea of what it actually is.. I have the CSC that will pay 100% for this repair.. I just don't think I want the local dealer to dissassemble my car that much.. How difficult is it to access the fuel sender hole in the trunk? Is it on the left or right side of the trunk?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: NY
SL 55 AMG
Baffle
From what I physically saw, the baffle is the width of the tank, so about 20-25 inches in length and nearly 3/4 the height of it, so about 10-12 inches high. If you know a way to cut metal through a 2 inch hole without making sparks in a gas tank and blowing yourself up...go for it. good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
From what I physically saw, the baffle is the width of the tank, so about 20-25 inches in length and nearly 3/4 the height of it, so about 10-12 inches high. If you know a way to cut metal through a 2 inch hole without making sparks in a gas tank and blowing yourself up...go for it. good luck
Thanks for the great info..
Is the sender hole on the left or right side of the trunk? Is the baffle metal such that a.magnet could be used to attract it?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
SL55
From what I physically saw, the baffle is the width of the tank, so about 20-25 inches in length and nearly 3/4 the height of it, so about 10-12 inches high. If you know a way to cut metal through a 2 inch hole without making sparks in a gas tank and blowing yourself up...go for it. good luck
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 2
sl55
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
And why not share with everyone.. Put our ideas together and determine the best way to get rid of this scrap piece of metal...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
There is a huge thread over at Benzworld.org about this..
Here are a few of the pics that a user posted after removing his gas tank, and cutting it open. He claimed the small piece of metal is the cause..
This is why i asked if it could be removed through the sender hole, with force if needed...
Here are a few of the pics that a user posted after removing his gas tank, and cutting it open. He claimed the small piece of metal is the cause..
This is why i asked if it could be removed through the sender hole, with force if needed...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Malta. E.U.
2015 mercedes E63 AMG, 2002 Rolls Royce LOL, 1997 Mercedes 300 TD
Hi NikleinR6, no I am afraid you cannot pull it through the whole of the sender unit as that piece of steel is running across the bottom of the petrol tank and it gets a lot wider as it goes back in the tank itself and it is welded at the end, it comes seperated from the tank were it is at the narrow part as the spot weld is weak there.The only answer is either as they are saying you pull it up with something to hold it from nocking to the bottom or change the tank or weld it back properly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
There is a thread on Benzworld.org about this where a guy posted pics of the baffle and it looks like a long, but not very wide piece of metal.. Also looks to be thin gauge metal.. Wish I had a better idea of what it actually is.. I have the CSC that will pay 100% for this repair.. I just don't think I want the local dealer to dissassemble my car that much.. How difficult is it to access the fuel sender hole in the trunk? Is it on the left or right side of the trunk?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: NY
SL 55 AMG
Baffle fix
No offense to those of you who are having this problem, but it is ridiculously easy to get to the sending unit in the trunk. So open it up and see for yourself what the fix is. Otherwise, come down to my place and I'll fix it for you. It doesn't take an engineering degree to fix it...really. Anyways, you have two choices, do it yourselves, or take it to the dealer and go with their fix. Mine costs you $5 and some time. The dealer's will cost you at least $3000. Your choice. Good luck.
S
S
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
sl55
Spring
Total spring should be 7" long and U shaped hooks on each end. It should relatively easily extend to 9". Open the sender unit, buy a selection of springs, and use the one that works best. It's really not that big a deal if you stop researching it and just open the sender hole and have a look. I researched and repaired it the same day. My original postings and answers to all your questions re SuperMonkey's repair can be found here....
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...ll-gas-20.html
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...ll-gas-20.html
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Malta. E.U.
2015 mercedes E63 AMG, 2002 Rolls Royce LOL, 1997 Mercedes 300 TD
iammalibuboy the pictures I have put for all to see are those that belong to the petrol tank I have in my SL55 AMG and that what is there in the petrol tank, your petrol tank is different to mine they must use different petrol tanks in SL55 AMG, I HAVE PUT THEM PHOTOS FOR ALL TO SEE SO EVERY BODY CAN HAVE AN IDEA.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
sl55
My car is also an AMG SL55 and I think our gas tanks are probably the same.
I never cut open my tank but I'd guess that the little tab Lippu70 points to is where the spot weld holding the baffle plate in place actually broke. It appears that the very bottom corner of the actual baffle plate can be seen behind Lippu70's thumb.
For those trying to understand...MB got complaints about drivers hearing the fuel sloshing around. As a fix they designed the baffle plate. The baffle plate is a wall running the length of the tank to prevent fuel slosh.
Over time, some of the weld tabs break. The remaining tabs act like hinges. As the fuel sloshes, the hinged baffle plate then rocks back and forth with the gas, causing a cymbol like tapping with each slosh.
SuperMonkey's spring solution (as shown in my sketches above) worked for me.
Good Luck!!
I never cut open my tank but I'd guess that the little tab Lippu70 points to is where the spot weld holding the baffle plate in place actually broke. It appears that the very bottom corner of the actual baffle plate can be seen behind Lippu70's thumb.
For those trying to understand...MB got complaints about drivers hearing the fuel sloshing around. As a fix they designed the baffle plate. The baffle plate is a wall running the length of the tank to prevent fuel slosh.
Over time, some of the weld tabs break. The remaining tabs act like hinges. As the fuel sloshes, the hinged baffle plate then rocks back and forth with the gas, causing a cymbol like tapping with each slosh.
SuperMonkey's spring solution (as shown in my sketches above) worked for me.
Good Luck!!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Malta. E.U.
2015 mercedes E63 AMG, 2002 Rolls Royce LOL, 1997 Mercedes 300 TD
Hi in my case that piece of steel which was causing the noise and I had it braised back instead spot welded loke that it will never come off, I hope. This is a marvellous car but I never had a car loke this that needs so much attention specially electronics and a whole variations of pumps, this is a money gusler.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
It's really annoying when a problem on a car crops up time and time, it's
obviously a flaw in the design, and yet manufacturers always try to wriggle out of repairing FOC.
unless it's under warranty, trouble is the fault
always happens when warranty has run out.
obviously a flaw in the design, and yet manufacturers always try to wriggle out of repairing FOC.
unless it's under warranty, trouble is the faultalways happens when warranty has run out.
