abhatti55

I ordered the fuel sender unit on my junk car, went to install the hoses on the fuel pump and saw that the plastic hose connection had disintegrated on that side as well. Ordered the $400 fuel pump today so now out around $1000, not including labor.

Gas was leaking so bad that it was coming through the metal access cover and had soaked the foam on my seat cushion. What a garbage design. Also the so called part with the new part number doesn't seem like it is improved much.

I knew the dealer wouldn't cover anything. When asking the stupid service advisers about this issue, they looked at me like I was crazy and there was no such problem with the cars. How convenient when you drive around to the back of the dealership they have a pile of gas tanks from W211's that have been replaced.

On a side note never do business with Higginbotham Mercedes in Jackson, MS, worst customer service ever on any occasion.

This fiasco has me ready to leave the Mercedes brand altogether after owning 30+ cars from them. Glad I have a good running E60 M5 as a backup car, makes dealing with this experience easier.

AMG903L

http://www.mercedesfueltankclassacti...-Complaint.pdf

RunnerD

Same problem. I have had so many problems with my 05 E55. I will NEVER buy a Mercedes again.

moosejaw

Did you file a complaint with NHTSA?

mbprince

I had the problem before the recall and after 4 tries, the Stealership was able to find and fix the problem under warranty.

Fast forward to last week -


Filled up the tank, drove home and in 5 minutes, the garage smelled like a Molotov cocktail !!! No visible leaks (didn't pull the rear seat), but I have to keep the tank below 3/4.

I'm hoping since I never 'officially' dod the recall, that they will fix it (already spoke to my SA) for free !

BBBSS

Make a NHTSA complaint anyway. The "repairs" are temporary and you may run into this problem again out of warranty and be out thousands of dollars. NHTSA needs to get a scope of the problem to better correct the situation. The reports are CRITICAL to them being able to make a case against Mercedes so we can get these parts changed so they will no longer leak.

It takes 2-3 minutes and may save you thousands of dollars in future repairs. Also helps those in the community dealing with the problem now out of warranty. NHTSA needs to hear about each case.

File a complaint here.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

vettdvr

Check W211 they have the issue also not just under AMG. Make sure complaints link both together so there is more data. Thank the goverment for adding ethanol to our fuel. Another great decison.

novae500

My friends 05 W211 CPO warranty is about to expire later this year. I told him to take it in for several of the common things that are issues and so far they have fixed below:

rear main seal leaking
gas smell in the rear seats where his daughter sits

waiting to see what part #s for the fuel leak that they used.

mbprince

I'm doing that this weekend !! My SA (after ripping me off on STAR diagnosing and replacing a TMPS sensor - which I'll start a rant thread for) BOLDLY stated that I would HAVE to pay for any repairs needed on the 'new after warranty' gas leak and smell. He almost seemed to be snickering (not really). But when I mentioned that some dealers were doing the repair for free, he stated, "well, we don't". We have 3 MBs, but I think some of us are victims of dealers that got hit hard by slowing sales and service revenue.

Grrrrr........

Complaint here I come !

mbprince

Complaint filed !!

[180]

I also have a leaking fuel sender. I've been taking out the rear seat cushion periodically and cleaning the leaked fuel.

I encountered an odd issue last night - after driving home on the freeway (120 miles), I went to get something from the back seat and noticed the cushion was very warm to the touch (felt like they had seat heaters in them).
I pulled the rear seat cushion to find that the metal underneath was burning hot, too hot to touch with bare hands.

I don't think this is normal - the fuel tank sits under the rear seat, it shouldn't be hot at all?

I waited until the metal cooled, pulled the access cover and sure enough, more spilled fuel.

I think it's just a matter of time before something ignites the gas tank...

dunnman99

UPDATE:

I filed my NHSTA complaint as noted on page 22.

I ordered a new seal (under the new part number) and retaining ring. The new seal is green and the old seal is black. The threaded retaining ring would not fit on my 2003 tank threads so I used the old one.

The seal leaked within one week of replacement and it seemed to leak worse than the original one.

I pulled the seal and put a thin film of Ultra Blue RTV on the outer lipped sealing surface of the seal, and under the lip of the sending unit. I lightly tightened the ring initially and then as tight as I could by hand and with 2 bars with opposing force to the grip ribs.

The leaking has subsided for now, but I will update..

I am keeping the tank at 3/4 or below just in case..heck I could drive around the entire island 8 times with 3/4 tank.


Anyone know if there is a way to get in on the class action case?

WPOZZZ

My fuel pump had a short in the wiring harness.

mbprince

Good info !! If you or anyone knows the parts I need, lemme know and I will fix it myself. If I have to pay the dealer, I will literally punch someone !!

mbprince

Yipes, keep an eye on it !! BUT, it has been hotter than *****, here in So Cal.

Keith437

I had O rings etc replaced as well as my gas tank. Lately after a long drive where car gets really hot I get a fuel smell again outside the car. I need to check this to make sure its not leaking when getting hot due to parts expanding.

sack5000

Interesting thread. My E63 has a huge gas smell issue. I finally noticed inside where it says "don't top off". I guess it really means it. If you fill the tank slowly you get the same issue. Best to keep the tank 3/4 full during the hot summer months, I guess!

mbslowner

I believe the label on the tank lid stated "Top off" may cause fire something like that. I always stop filling after first click.

sack5000

The notice inside near the filler cap says "do not top off". The owner's manual says the same thing. The gas smell has now finally subsided. Still taking it into the stealer tomorrow. (see what the brain trust says, ha ha)

cij911

Just amazed with how many reported issues there are and yet MB still trying to weasel their way out of the issue....Very disappointing....

moosejaw

Agree
Very disappointing for a luxury car maker with record sales for the pas t few years

mbprince

Still one of the best cars I've ever owned and I, to this day, look forward to driving it, BUT, EVERYONE with this problem, please fill out the form (link above).

There is strength in numbers............I hope !

I'm just gonna fill to 3/4 tank, until MB gets their **** together. I've heard that some dealerships are doing the fix on the house, so if anyone knows of one in the LA area, hit me up !!

AgSilver

I just had the MB 2008-020001 complied with in Germany at about 62,000 miles (100,000 km). There was no apparent problem, but I got updated filters/pumps courtesy of MB. One point though, my car has almost never had any ethanol in the fuel system and always had a double dose of StaBil added when stored every year for about 6 months. Also, as I posted before, I use Techron regularly which is also known to protect the fuel sending units while also keeping the valves and pistons clean.

SdSmithMB

My parents have a 2003 E55 with 80k miles which recently developed gas smell in garage after topping up. Did a search and found this helpful thread and pushed them a bit to take the car to dealer sooner rather than later. Took the car in last week to dealer (with copy of NHTSA letter to MB in hand which they gave to service advisor). Were told there were no recalls, etc...

Dealer replaced both left and right fuel sender units. $1200 in parts and $335 in labor.

cij911

Please have them file a report with the NTHSA...