Urgent notice. 03-06 E55's that were involved in the fuel sender recall are bombs.
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From: Folsom, CA
2005 E55 AMG
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I spoke to a freind of mine at MB who works inside the tech area.
He feels it should be covered as who expects a gas tank to fail at less than 10 years, in some cases less than 5 years?
He said they sell a couple a week.
He feels it should be covered as who expects a gas tank to fail at less than 10 years, in some cases less than 5 years?
He said they sell a couple a week.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,066
Likes: 37
From: Folsom, CA
2005 E55 AMG
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From: Northern VA
W211
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 118
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From: Lake Tapps, WA
CAV GT40, 2018 GT R, 2019 GLC 63, 13' Ford Raptor,
08 E63 with 70,000 miles. Just noticed gas smell outside/around the car. Car is always parked in the garage and have never noticed the smell till earlier this week, was hard not to notice. No obvious leaks but I have not dug around the tank yet, does this sound like the same thing everyone is talking about? I don't smell it in the car.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
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From: Central PA
04 E55AMG & 07 GL450
I have a 2004 E55 with about 108K on it. In Oct 2011 both Left & Right sending units were leaking. I paid for one to be replaced and the dealer did the other for free as I'd just done a substantial amount of work to the vehicle and I was originally quoted for the repair of only one. When it didn't stop the leakage they realized the other needed replaced and just did it gratis. About 20 months later the gas smell returned and gradually got worse. Now 28 months later it's back in the shop and the same dealer is saying that one is leaking badly and the other is just starting to leak and both need replaced immediately for $1,600. I am floored. I have not had time to read all 28 pages of this thread yet, but wanted to share my story and express my interest in being added to any list, campaign or action to resolve this obvious defect. Somehow my dealer is able to look me in the eye and say it is completely normal for both senders to fail simultaneously and leak gas and then for both replacements to also fail simultaneously just 20 months later and I should be comfortable investing $1,600 without concern that there 3rd set of senders won't do the exact same thing.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: The Granite State
.
If you are paying out of pocket, you are entitled to get the "defective" parts back...
I think the next step in this process is the start posting images of the failed fuel senders and the micro-cracks that are leading to these leaks.... Once those start showing up everywhere on Google images, it's going to be awfully hard for MBZ to keep playing dumb about this issue.
-G
I think the next step in this process is the start posting images of the failed fuel senders and the micro-cracks that are leading to these leaks.... Once those start showing up everywhere on Google images, it's going to be awfully hard for MBZ to keep playing dumb about this issue.
-G
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 8
2018 E63s, 2004 E55 AMG
Ok everyone, my fuel pump (passenger side only) had been leaking when the tank was more than 3/4 way full for over a year now, we all know the story... Anyway I got sick of it so i did a little experimenting and tried sealing up the top of the fuel pump. First I changed the fuel pump sealing ring/gasket and then I used some JB weld, gas resistant rtv, permatex #2, anything to see if I could seal up a crack that I really couldn't find. At that point the pump was junk in my mind anyway. Once I had eliminated the possibility that the gas tank was cracked or that the fuel pump cover itself was cracked, I was able to pinpoint where the gas was actually leaking out. It was coming in through the electrical connector 
Other people have said when the fuel pump gets old and the little mesh filter gets dirty, then the pumps pull more amps to move the same amount of fuel, which causes the wires to heat up and melt the plastic. (I'm an engineer, that's perfectly logical in my mind.) So basically the gas was able to leak through where the wires go through the fuel pump cover. Check out the pics to see...Its obvious where the melting/burning takes place. I think I've read about this before but I figured I'd my experience with this...
Gas Leaking into plug. This is a closeup of the electrical connector on the top of the fuel pump cover-
Underside of fuel pump, notice burnt marks-
And a close up-
This may not be everyone's problem, but I do think it is a design flaw. They should have used either better plastics or have designed a better connection for the wiring.
I ended up buying and installing a new fuel pump myself and now everything is good for now.
Other people have said when the fuel pump gets old and the little mesh filter gets dirty, then the pumps pull more amps to move the same amount of fuel, which causes the wires to heat up and melt the plastic. (I'm an engineer, that's perfectly logical in my mind.) So basically the gas was able to leak through where the wires go through the fuel pump cover. Check out the pics to see...Its obvious where the melting/burning takes place. I think I've read about this before but I figured I'd my experience with this...Gas Leaking into plug. This is a closeup of the electrical connector on the top of the fuel pump cover-
Underside of fuel pump, notice burnt marks-
And a close up-
This may not be everyone's problem, but I do think it is a design flaw. They should have used either better plastics or have designed a better connection for the wiring.
I ended up buying and installing a new fuel pump myself and now everything is good for now.
Last edited by spazmoid; Mar 4, 2014 at 08:44 AM. Reason: added more
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: The Granite State
.
I can't help but wonder if the fuse sizing for those pumps was half of the problem. If you can pull enough current to start melting the wires without blowing the fuse, somebody in Germany didn't do their job.
What kind of mileage was on your fuel pumps / filter assembly? Everyone is pretty well-versed these days about the fact that the 60,000 mile replacement of the filters is CRITICAL on these cars. Just curious if any amount of this damage could be attributed to "deferred maintenance" or not?
-G
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 83
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2018 E63s, 2004 E55 AMG
I can't help but wonder if the fuse sizing for those pumps was half of the problem. If you can pull enough current to start melting the wires without blowing the fuse, somebody in Germany didn't do their job.
What kind of mileage was on your fuel pumps / filter assembly? Everyone is pretty well-versed these days about the fact that the 60,000 mile replacement of the filters is CRITICAL on these cars. Just curious if any amount of this damage could be attributed to "deferred maintenance" or not?
-G
What kind of mileage was on your fuel pumps / filter assembly? Everyone is pretty well-versed these days about the fact that the 60,000 mile replacement of the filters is CRITICAL on these cars. Just curious if any amount of this damage could be attributed to "deferred maintenance" or not?
-G
For the sake of everyone else I'll refer to my response... https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-findings.html
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: The Granite State
.
Eric Holder (AG) did a press announcement today about a settlement reached with Toyota for $1.2B for their negligence in dealing with consumer complaints about unintended acceleration, faulty gas pedals, etc....
The difference between Toyota and this Mercedes-Benz issue is that people died in their Toyotas...... if a couple of MBZ cars exploded as a result of this fuel leak (and people died) you can bet we'd be getting much better treatment than we are now.
Hate to put it in those terms, but that seems to be the critical distinction in most automotive safety-related cases. Manufacturers only act when customers die and are then compelled to by the US Government.
-G
The difference between Toyota and this Mercedes-Benz issue is that people died in their Toyotas...... if a couple of MBZ cars exploded as a result of this fuel leak (and people died) you can bet we'd be getting much better treatment than we are now.
Hate to put it in those terms, but that seems to be the critical distinction in most automotive safety-related cases. Manufacturers only act when customers die and are then compelled to by the US Government.
-G
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 3
From: Littleton, CO
2005 E55 silver
Eric Holder (AG) did a press announcement today about a settlement reached with Toyota for $1.2B for their negligence in dealing with consumer complaints about unintended acceleration, faulty gas pedals, etc....
The difference between Toyota and this Mercedes-Benz issue is that people died in their Toyotas...... if a couple of MBZ cars exploded as a result of this fuel leak (and people died) you can bet we'd be getting much better treatment than we are now.
Hate to put it in those terms, but that seems to be the critical distinction in most automotive safety-related cases. Manufacturers only act when customers die and are then compelled to by the US Government.
-G
The difference between Toyota and this Mercedes-Benz issue is that people died in their Toyotas...... if a couple of MBZ cars exploded as a result of this fuel leak (and people died) you can bet we'd be getting much better treatment than we are now.
Hate to put it in those terms, but that seems to be the critical distinction in most automotive safety-related cases. Manufacturers only act when customers die and are then compelled to by the US Government.
-G
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
'07 E350
New to the site. I found this site and the problem about a week after purchasing my '07 E350 last month. Interesting thing was the the car was delivered with the tank 7/8th full. Filled it for the first time yesterday and the garage smells like a time bomb. I filed a complaint this AM so add me to the list. The car does have a three month warranty so it will go back for the repairs suggested in this thread. Thanks all for the input. I do really love the car though. 
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
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From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
W-211 Fuel Smell with a full tank
'Cause I get the fuel leaking problem for many miles after filling my tank really full. After using the tank down to nearly half full, the smell in the garage is gone, but when I fill it up again, I smell D2 in the garage again until the fuel level is lowered once more!
Does the factory recall include the CDIs also?
Regards,
Derrel
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
05 E55
Hello all... hoping someone can help, as I have a unique situation: I have the same dreaded smell (overwhelming, 2006 E55), but it's in central America! So, having a serious lack of Mercedes shops (eg, none), and the local "Mercedes approved" dealerships (eg, "we can figure it out at 10 times the US price, and we'll still do it incorrectly"), I have to tackle this myself. Sucks. Pulled the rear seat, same stains, smell, etc. Kids traveling with me from the US, not keen on the idea of sticking them in there for 4 hour drives to beaches. Literally, the "AutoStar" chrysler / jeep / Mercedes dealer had never worked on an E55 before.
Any thoughts on what I should ferry down there to do this myself, or at least facilitate one of the local yeehaws to help me, including the dealer? Prices for parts there are 3 times what they are here AND take months to get. So, better to order here and ferry them down.
if you could help, I'd appreciate it. I basically need to buy everything I need in the states and ferry it down here on a plane and install it myself. Tools and parts. These are the part numbers I have so far, but any other advice, part numbers, direction would be helpful!!!
Thanks so much!
211 470 17 94...pass side with fuel pumps/filters
211 470 51 94...drivers side with level sensor, fpr and hoses
Seal rings: 211 471 05 79
Anything else you can think of?
Any thoughts on what I should ferry down there to do this myself, or at least facilitate one of the local yeehaws to help me, including the dealer? Prices for parts there are 3 times what they are here AND take months to get. So, better to order here and ferry them down.
if you could help, I'd appreciate it. I basically need to buy everything I need in the states and ferry it down here on a plane and install it myself. Tools and parts. These are the part numbers I have so far, but any other advice, part numbers, direction would be helpful!!!
Thanks so much!
211 470 17 94...pass side with fuel pumps/filters
211 470 51 94...drivers side with level sensor, fpr and hoses
Seal rings: 211 471 05 79
Anything else you can think of?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
'07 E350
As I posted above I recently purchased an '07 E350 with the gas fume problem. The car came from a franchised MB dealer and had a three month warranty. Took it back for the problem and they replaced the following parts that have solved the problem at least for now.
The parts were 211-470-41-94 pump (2), bracket 211-471-01-41 (2), seal ring 211-471-05-79 (2), and cable harness 211-440-05-07 (1).
Can't say what the total cost would have been but I did check on line for the cost of the parts and discounted it came to approx. $650. I estimate they had at least tree hours of labor in the job so it would be over a grand easy I am sure to have them do the job if paying for it out of pocket. Hope this helps.
The parts were 211-470-41-94 pump (2), bracket 211-471-01-41 (2), seal ring 211-471-05-79 (2), and cable harness 211-440-05-07 (1).
Can't say what the total cost would have been but I did check on line for the cost of the parts and discounted it came to approx. $650. I estimate they had at least tree hours of labor in the job so it would be over a grand easy I am sure to have them do the job if paying for it out of pocket. Hope this helps.
