Fuel leak (bad one)...
#1
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Fuel leak (bad one)...
I was in Orlando this weekend and on late Saturday I started to smell what I thought were exhaust fumes but it became more apparent that it was fuel. Before we drove home on Sunday, I filled up and by the time I was in Tampa I was already down to a quarter tank (its only maybe a 70 - 80 mile trip) and fuel smell was bad.
I had to put more gas in to get back to my office, but before I got there a cop stopped me because he could smelled the gas from HIS car and saw leakage when he was behind me...
I drove to my office and left it there overnight and this morning had AAA tow it to my tuner to have it checked out...they looked at the bottom of the car and no apparent broken lines or punctured tank.
When they took off the rear seat and looked at the top of the tank and fuel pump, the left line attached to the fuel pump was barely hanging on and when the tech tested it by pulling on it...it totally broke off. Also, there was a pool of fuel below the top gasket and around the top of the tank...RIGHT below where my daughter was sitting on the ride home...SCARY!
At that point, Chris (the owner of C2 Design) called MB, specifically to a service writer that he personally knows and we sent it over to MB to have the pump and fuel line replaced. Also to check if there was any other possible source of the leak...its not probable, though.
It's just scary I was driving that long with that much fuel in the car...I was tempting fate but initially I thought it might have been exhaust fumes somehow creeping into the cabin.
I'm lucky nothing seriously bad happened...
Thanks to Chris and Andrew (Wrench - his handle on this site) for his great customer service and figuring out the problem. To be honest with you I'm glad they knew someone on the inside or I'd probably be running around in circles with MB making sure they cover this under warranty. At this point they are with Chris' explanation and reputation smoothing things over.
I'll keep you posted on what they find and final outcome.
Jon
I had to put more gas in to get back to my office, but before I got there a cop stopped me because he could smelled the gas from HIS car and saw leakage when he was behind me...
I drove to my office and left it there overnight and this morning had AAA tow it to my tuner to have it checked out...they looked at the bottom of the car and no apparent broken lines or punctured tank.
When they took off the rear seat and looked at the top of the tank and fuel pump, the left line attached to the fuel pump was barely hanging on and when the tech tested it by pulling on it...it totally broke off. Also, there was a pool of fuel below the top gasket and around the top of the tank...RIGHT below where my daughter was sitting on the ride home...SCARY!
At that point, Chris (the owner of C2 Design) called MB, specifically to a service writer that he personally knows and we sent it over to MB to have the pump and fuel line replaced. Also to check if there was any other possible source of the leak...its not probable, though.
It's just scary I was driving that long with that much fuel in the car...I was tempting fate but initially I thought it might have been exhaust fumes somehow creeping into the cabin.
I'm lucky nothing seriously bad happened...
Thanks to Chris and Andrew (Wrench - his handle on this site) for his great customer service and figuring out the problem. To be honest with you I'm glad they knew someone on the inside or I'd probably be running around in circles with MB making sure they cover this under warranty. At this point they are with Chris' explanation and reputation smoothing things over.
I'll keep you posted on what they find and final outcome.
Jon
#4
same thing happened right after i got my used 03, couldnt figure it out cause my fuel leak wasnt as bad as yours but i could def smell it. Tried ignoring it for about three days, then the car wouldnt start, had to roll it out of my garage and towed to my dealer, i was pissed.
#5
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
same thing happened right after i got my used 03, couldnt figure it out cause my fuel leak wasnt as bad as yours but i could def smell it. Tried ignoring it for about three days, then the car wouldnt start, had to roll it out of my garage and towed to my dealer, i was pissed.
#6
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#8
The same thing happened to me about a month ago. I drove for several days before i had it checked out. When i looked under the seat there was gasoline everywhere. I am a smoker and thank god nothing happened. From what i hear it is a common problem on our cars. At the end it cost me $500 and a favor to get it done. Thank God you are ok, u would think that MB would out a recall on it.
#9
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
The same thing happened to me about a month ago. I drove for several days before i had it checked out. When i looked under the seat there was gasoline everywhere. I am a smoker and thank god nothing happened. From what i hear it is a common problem on our cars. At the end it cost me $500 and a favor to get it done. Thank God you are ok, u would think that MB would out a recall on it.
#12
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
I've been lucky so far as this has been the ONLY serious problem with the car since I got it...I did pick a doozy of problem to have though.
#15
Mine had the leak a couple of weeks ago and I thought I repaired it but only ended up covering a hairline split in the fuel outlet. It ended up failing several days later but fortunately i was in the driveway. I replace the fuel filter assembly myself along with new seals. All is good now but what a pain in the a$$. Here's a pic of our filter assembly. The dual fuel pumps are in an enclosure under the right rear seat. Another reason this thing cost so much is the integrated sending unit and fuel pressure regulator at the bottom of the filter.
#16
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From: PHX/PIE/OMA ---> Yes, all three
E55 then E63, now back to an E55
Small spring loaded tabs (2 - one each side) on underneath of seat, center of perforations (where a person would sit - i.e. between your legs)
Good question......
Good question......
#18
Changed fuel pump, Then changed leaking tank, and finally changed the F***ing Filter "sender unit", I still can smell gas in my car specially when I fill it to top. and the smell outside the car is even clear and more than when I am inside.
I checked below seat, no fuel, no leak, checked the the system just behind the rear tire that is behind the passenger side, and no leaks and hoses are in place.
I don't know now what to do and check next !!!!!! I am selling the car to a friend of mine but I don't want him to have with this smell that I don't know where it comes from.
Any new suggestion other than changing the above?! agian, I say no leaks or fuel near the pump or the sending unit.
The front valve that is near the engine from the driver side, will it effect? and how do we test it if it is working properly or not?
I hope if one of the good technicians here can give us suggestion or solution.
I checked below seat, no fuel, no leak, checked the the system just behind the rear tire that is behind the passenger side, and no leaks and hoses are in place.
I don't know now what to do and check next !!!!!! I am selling the car to a friend of mine but I don't want him to have with this smell that I don't know where it comes from.
Any new suggestion other than changing the above?! agian, I say no leaks or fuel near the pump or the sending unit.
The front valve that is near the engine from the driver side, will it effect? and how do we test it if it is working properly or not?
I hope if one of the good technicians here can give us suggestion or solution.
#19
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Abu Dhabi
C218 CLS63TT PP Edition1, W213 E63S
if u fill it to the top, some times they fill it more where there is a small pipe to let the extra gas out it frops it behind the right rear wheel.
when i had the leak, i fixed it by replacing the fuel pupms and filters, and i asked the technician to do a double sealing in all the joints, and now more than a year with no smell at all.
when i had the leak, i fixed it by replacing the fuel pupms and filters, and i asked the technician to do a double sealing in all the joints, and now more than a year with no smell at all.
#20
I've had this problem 2 times now and have spent over $800 at the dealership trying to get it "fixed." Still, on long drives I can smell gas eventually. What was the recall #, do you know? I want to go to my service rep and demand a free repair and/or refund for my previous expenditures. Either way, it needs to get replaced again and I am most definitely NOT paying for it if a recall has been issued. I got no such letter, though. Would you mind telling me the exact recall ID #?
#22
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From: Socal, Chino
E55 2006 / CLS55 / S450 / Jag XKR2011
#23
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
#24
This happened to me after 3 drips to dealer with all of the below replaced they found I had a hairline crack in my gas tank. Had to replace it.
Changed fuel pump, Then changed leaking tank, and finally changed the F***ing Filter "sender unit", I still can smell gas in my car specially when I fill it to top. and the smell outside the car is even clear and more than when I am inside.
I checked below seat, no fuel, no leak, checked the the system just behind the rear tire that is behind the passenger side, and no leaks and hoses are in place.
I don't know now what to do and check next !!!!!! I am selling the car to a friend of mine but I don't want him to have with this smell that I don't know where it comes from.
Any new suggestion other than changing the above?! agian, I say no leaks or fuel near the pump or the sending unit.
The front valve that is near the engine from the driver side, will it effect? and how do we test it if it is working properly or not?
I hope if one of the good technicians here can give us suggestion or solution.
I checked below seat, no fuel, no leak, checked the the system just behind the rear tire that is behind the passenger side, and no leaks and hoses are in place.
I don't know now what to do and check next !!!!!! I am selling the car to a friend of mine but I don't want him to have with this smell that I don't know where it comes from.
Any new suggestion other than changing the above?! agian, I say no leaks or fuel near the pump or the sending unit.
The front valve that is near the engine from the driver side, will it effect? and how do we test it if it is working properly or not?
I hope if one of the good technicians here can give us suggestion or solution.