Still investigating with some garage of doing either the tank exchange or "spring fix".
SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Rattle - Gas tank
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
2002 SLK 320, 2004 SL 500, 2004 SL600
Did another one last week for my buddy and it took an hour start to finish and cost less than $4. Tank change seems to be a major PITA and possibly overkill. Good luck which every way you go. I was so glad to get rid of that clunking noise behind the seat!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
2005 SL350 AMG
Quick detail Question
[QUOTE=NikleinR6;4915545]Thank you very much for all the information. I finally decided to knock this out yesterday. Took a little less than an hour. NO MORE KNOCKING SOUND. I took some pics from start to finish to help others in the future.
HHow do you remove the grey plastic covers that cover the hinge mechanism?
HHow do you remove the grey plastic covers that cover the hinge mechanism?
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2004 LS-55 AMG
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
2005 SL350 AMG
Its on another forum here is the link https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...as-tank-3.html
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R230
I need your help
So I took the advice of Super_monkey and went after the noise in the fuel tank..and what a pain in the *** that was!!! Getting to it and diagnosing that the issue was the fuel baffle (piece of ****), was very easy as described. However, fixing it was slightly more difficult. Lots of thinking out of the box. Anyways, used coat hanger and spring to attach to baffle and fuel sending unit. Ran into snags by misplacing the spring part on the sending unit, but finally figured that you must place hole in the dark gray area near the top so not to interfere with the float mechanism. Otherwise, it disables the float and screws with the fuel level gauge. After a few hours of messing around and making sure not to drop anything in the tank, all is good. Works fine and hopefully I'll never have an issue again. If so, maybe the next step is a new tank all together. Shame benz never recalled this issue, but seeing the posts on how to fix the problem, I know why they chose not to!! Anyways, if anyone has questions, just post a reply and I'll call or email you instructions. Cost me $3.49 for the fix and some time. Better than $4000!!! Peace.
Please contact me I have a loose baffle i need your help to fix it
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R230
Baffle fix need help
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
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
2002 SLK 320, 2004 SL 500, 2004 SL600
Tools
Pic of the tools I made out of a hanging file holder. Coat hanger is not strong enough. Also put lanyard around the tool in case I dropped it in tank I could easily retrieve. Note the notch cut into end of small tool, this is to hook onto spring as you push it in and around baffle.
Newbie
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Sl500
Baffled
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
Newbie
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Sl500
Baffle Assistance
Hi I got the dreaded faulty baffler and was wondering where u r located
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Detroit
2004 SL 500 2002 Vovo S80 T6
Any photos
So I took the advice of Super_monkey and went after the noise in the fuel tank..and what a pain in the *** that was!!! Getting to it and diagnosing that the issue was the fuel baffle (piece of ****), was very easy as described. However, fixing it was slightly more difficult. Lots of thinking out of the box. Anyways, used coat hanger and spring to attach to baffle and fuel sending unit. Ran into snags by misplacing the spring part on the sending unit, but finally figured that you must place hole in the dark gray area near the top so not to interfere with the float mechanism. Otherwise, it disables the float and screws with the fuel level gauge. After a few hours of messing around and making sure not to drop anything in the tank, all is good. Works fine and hopefully I'll never have an issue again. If so, maybe the next step is a new tank all together. Shame benz never recalled this issue, but seeing the posts on how to fix the problem, I know why they chose not to!! Anyways, if anyone has questions, just post a reply and I'll call or email you instructions. Cost me $3.49 for the fix and some time. Better than $4000!!! Peace.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Detroit
2004 SL 500 2002 Vovo S80 T6
More photos would help.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Sl 350
Mercedes SL R230 fuel tank baffle fix
Do you have a banging Noise coming from boot area when car is moving?The baffle in the petrol tank has become loose and is knocking against the inner wall of the tank and would normally need the whole tank to be replaced. Most places including main dealer would replace your fuel tank for up to £2,700. In addition, the availability of a new fuel tank is limited and could take months to achieve. So, for a discount price of just £350, Just give me a call, and I will secure the loose baffle permanently. Petrol safe agent, lasting the life of the car. If you can't bring your car to me, I may can come to you and fix it outside your home or work place. I Will travel up to 5ml to fix from East Dulwich, London. Extra miles will cost £1/ml to you and 50p/ml on return. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ABOUT MY METHOD FOR SECURING THIS AS I'M NOT AT LIBERTY TO SAY. For any other info please call 07957289919 or email: barsinfo7@gmail.com
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SL500
not sure if the forum is being used. the last relevant thread dates back to you in 2010 but really use your fix for the fuel tank baffle. thanks
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SL500
Rafdaddy, saw your comments regarding the fuel tank baffle fix and hoping you had some ready made instructions you could pass along. if not, and if you thought you could would love for you to take a call from my mechanic. what a nuisance! Any help would be appreciated.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Sl 350
Mercedes SL R230 fuel tank baffle fix
hi, this fix is for UK members. If you are, then get in touch with this guy on barsinfo7@gmail.com or eBay Uk for the service. Well recommended.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2003 SL55
Hi everyone, my first post after doing a lot of research on this problem. I completed the work on the gas tank noise. Thanks to everyone who posted information it really helped. I decided not to drill the sending unit just used the existing opening with a key ring to hook the spring onto. I also wanted to hook the spring to the baffle so I user a curtain hook.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
A clever cookie on a German forum observed the interior of his tank with an endoscope. Turns out there’s an L shaped flange running horizontally just below the opening. He used that to attach his non flexible hook to. The plate sits pulled up against the top of the tank.
.
He had two hesitations I want to share here fwiw:
1- a spring which allows the plate some swinging (don’t know if it does) could eventually make remaining spot welds snap. His plate, by the way, snapped behind its spot weld, not on it. It was the plate itself that failed.
2- liters of swaying fluid could pose a hefty strain on your fix. Think of some jerk accelerating and stopping a car while at the passenger seat you’re trying to keep still a few big buckets filled with liquid. Will the plastic arm of the sender unit cope with those reciproting forces, in the end? (The same can be said of the L shaped bracket and the rod of course, seeing that failing metal caused the problem in the first place).
.
All in all, a solution without drilling and leaving the sender alone has its elegance.
.
He had two hesitations I want to share here fwiw:
1- a spring which allows the plate some swinging (don’t know if it does) could eventually make remaining spot welds snap. His plate, by the way, snapped behind its spot weld, not on it. It was the plate itself that failed.
2- liters of swaying fluid could pose a hefty strain on your fix. Think of some jerk accelerating and stopping a car while at the passenger seat you’re trying to keep still a few big buckets filled with liquid. Will the plastic arm of the sender unit cope with those reciproting forces, in the end? (The same can be said of the L shaped bracket and the rod of course, seeing that failing metal caused the problem in the first place).
.
All in all, a solution without drilling and leaving the sender alone has its elegance.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 MB SL55 AMG
Fuel Cell Foam for Baffle Fix?
OK, So I have not gotten time to take a look at the gas tank sending unit and baffle. Will probably try the spring fix described here, but would love to get feedback from those that have done it: Do you think there is enough room to compress some fuel cell foam, insert through sending unit opening, and position so that it wedges the baffle in place? I don't know if the foam could be compressed small enough, or if you could get a big enough piece to do any good.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Sl 350
SL petrol tank Baffle Fix
My advice, if you re in the UK, link the professional on Ebay and get it fix. No fooling around with foams and springs Job done.
QUOTE=Desert Dog;7900106]OK, So I have not gotten time to take a look at the gas tank sending unit and baffle. Will probably try the spring fix described here, but would love to get feedback from those that have done it: Do you think there is enough room to compress some fuel cell foam, insert through sending unit opening, and position so that it wedges the baffle in place? I don't know if the foam could be compressed small enough, or if you could get a big enough piece to do any good.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=Desert Dog;7900106]OK, So I have not gotten time to take a look at the gas tank sending unit and baffle. Will probably try the spring fix described here, but would love to get feedback from those that have done it: Do you think there is enough room to compress some fuel cell foam, insert through sending unit opening, and position so that it wedges the baffle in place? I don't know if the foam could be compressed small enough, or if you could get a big enough piece to do any good.[/QUOTE]
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Sl 350
SL fuel tank baffle noise fix
No need to struggle guys to try and fix this yourselves. For 350 I'll get the job done properly. I can come to you (£2/m 100m max) or visit me in London SE22. Just message me to make any form of arrangements.
Bassie.
Bassie.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 622
Likes: 212
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
It's the funniest thing, when I got my 2003 SL55 it was making this thump noise in the gas tank, but after I fixed a few other things on the car the thump went away, and has never come back. I'm sure it was the baffle inside the gas tank. Somehow it got over its self.
